Would You Pay to Improve a Neighbor's Yard?

 

 

You’ve probably heard that curb appeal matters when selling your home.

And it does.

It’s the very first impression buyers get—online and especially when they pull up in person.

But here’s the part most people overlook…

It’s not just your property that shapes that first impression.

Curb appeal is everything working together—the condition of the siding, the front door, driveway, lighting, roofline… even the mailbox.

And of course… your lawn.

But apparently, your neighbor’s lawn matters too.

According to a recent survey:

• 95% of buyers said a neighbor’s lawn impacts their first impression
• 93% said it affects how they perceive a home’s value
• 56% said they’d hesitate to buy next to a poorly maintained yard

Which explains this…

Nearly half of homeowners said they’d actually consider paying to improve a neighbor’s yard if it meant selling faster or for more money.

Sounds a little extreme—but it tells you how much first impressions really matter.

At this point, you might already be thinking about which neighbor could use a little “help.”

But before you walk next door with an offer, here’s the reality:

You can’t force the issue.

Unless you’re in an HOA (and even then, not always smoothly), your neighbor doesn’t have to do anything. And if their property isn’t violating local ordinances, there’s really no leverage.

Even offering to pay can backfire.

What sounds helpful to you can feel like criticism to them—especially if there’s no relationship there.

So if you ever consider it, approach it carefully.

Here’s what actually works:

• Know your neighbor – If you’ve never spoken, this isn’t the place to start
• Lead by example – A well-kept home next door often raises the bar naturally
• Look for an opening – Casual conversations beat awkward proposals every time
• Frame it as a win-win – “We’re getting ready to sell and want everything looking great—happy to help if you’re open to it”
• Be ready for a no – And respect it without pushing
• Focus on your own property – Clean, sharp, dialed-in homes still stand out

Here’s the bottom line:

Buyers notice everything.

In fact, 56% would hesitate to buy next to a poorly maintained home, and 93% say it impacts perceived value.

That’s real—and it can affect your bottom line.

But the smartest move isn’t trying to control what’s next door…

It’s making sure your property shows as well as it possibly can.

If you’re even thinking about selling, we’re happy to give you a clear, honest take on where you stand—and what actually makes a difference (and what doesn’t).

No pressure. No fluff. Just straight answers.

Call or Text Anytime:
Rick: 716-665-8972
Julia: 716-485-3202

Or just reply here—we’re always glad to help.

Thank you,

Rick & Julia McMahon
Real Estate Advantage

 

 

For More Information On Chautauqua Lake & County Real Estate and Living Visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Keep the Lake a Lake NOT a Wetlands Court Ruling

 

CLP Legal Challenge – NYS Supreme Court Ruling annuls Part 664

We are pleased with the recent ruling and we credit our CLP case as having demonstrated the strongest legal standing for the basis of the ruling.  But – this is tempered by the recognition that this is not necessarily a permanent victory and that the DEC is our partner – not our enemy – and this outcome will unfortunately result in some amount of chaos for them.  CLP is also still assessing the impacts to Chautauqua Lake stakeholders.

Key points of concern:

1) The law is still on the books, but the rules for it’s implementation have been thrown out.  The implications of this are unclear at the moment for both the DEC in terms of how they operate now, and for the regulated community.  For example, the positive jurisdictional determinations already made in and around our lake.

2) The Court also included a footnote in the ruling that states that because the regulations were thrown out on SEQRA grounds, “the Court need not reach petitioners’ other challenges to Part 664.”  This leaves the door open for further challenges depending on the DEC’s next steps and legal response.

We are working to develop short term clarity on the implications of the ruling, and we are hopeful that this ruling will encourage the DEC to assert less regulatory overreach going forward.

Details of the legal ruling:

NYS Supreme Court Judge Richard Platkin announced a ruling annulling the new Part 664 wetlands regulations because DEC did not complete a sufficient environmental review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).

Platkin said the DEC’s completion of a short-form Environmental Assessment Form indicated there would be no impact, or a small impact, across 11 different dimensions that included whether the new regulations would result in a change in the use or intensity of the use of land. DEC officials had said the new Part 664 regulation would increase the amount of regulated wetlands that would lead to a reduction in adverse impacts on the wetlands as more projects were required to avoid, minimize or mitigate impacts on wetlands. Platkin said the DEC received public comments identifying specific areas of potential environmental concern with the new part 664 regulations in the Freshwater Wetlands Act update, including the
prospect of urban sprawl and other growth-inducing impacts; impact to aquatic ecosystems, algae blooms and invasive species; effects on urban communities that included sprawl; and growth- inducing impacts.

“Part 664 affects millions of acres of freshwater wetlands, and DEC’s discretionary regulatory choices – including the blanket Class II designation for urban wetlands, the categorical 100-foot buffer zones and extended adjacent wetlands of variable size – have the potential to work significant changes through alteration of development patterns, land-use intensity and/or the capacity of affected lands to support existing uses,” Platkin wrote. “Nothing in the Short EAF indicates that DEC identified any of these potential environmental concerns as relevant areas warranting a hard look. The Short EAF’s analysis rests entirely on the narrow premise that expanded wetland protection is inherently beneficial to wetlands, and there is no indication that DEC considered anything other than that objective when it determined that Part 664 had no potential for adverse impacts.”

Regulations Annulled- CLPOA, CLP Win Freshwater Wetlands Act Lawsuits _ News, Sp

Consolidated Decision, Order & Judgement_04-08-2026

 

For More Information On Chautauqua Lake & County Real Estate and Living Visit: Chautauqualakehomes.com

CLPOA Lawsuit Results In Annulment Of Freshwater Wetlands Act Regulations

 

 

 

 

A lawsuit filed by the Chautauqua Lake Property Owners Association has resulted in the annulment of the state DEC’s Freshwater Wetlands Act regulations that took effect Jan. 1, 2025.

Of all the arguments made by the local organization, Judge Richard Platkin said the DEC did not do its due diligence on issues raised by organizations like the CLPOA.

“Having concluded that DEC did not adequately identify the relevant areas of environmental concern, did not take a ‘hard look’ at them and did not make a reasoned elaboration of the basis for its determination of non-significance, the court concludes that the subject action – the promulgation of the new Part 664 regulations – must be annulled for noncompliance with (the State Environmental Quality Review Act),” Platkin wrote in his decision, which was released Tuesday to parties in the lawsuit but not uploaded to the state court website until Wednesday afternoon.

Platkin ruled petitions in cases filed by the Chautauqua Lake Partnership, village of Kiryas Joel and Business Council of New York State were also granted on SEQRA violations – though other contentions were denied.

Platkin said the DEC’s completion of a short-form Environmental Assessment Form indicated there would be no impact, or a small impact, across 11 different dimensions that included whether the new regulations would result in a change in the use or intensity of the use of land. DEC officials had said the new Part 664 regulations would increase the amount of regulated wetlands that would lead to a reduction in adverse impacts on the wetlands as more projects were required to avoid, minimize or mitigate impacts on wetlands. Platkin said the DEC received public comments identifying specific areas of potential environmental concern with the new part 664 regulations in the Freshwater Wetlands Act update, including the prospect of urban sprawl and other growth-inducing impacts; impact to aquatic ecosystems, algae blooms and invasive species; effects on urban communities that included sprawl; and growth-inducing impacts.

“Part 664 affects millions of acres of freshwater wetlands, and DEC’s discretionary regulatory choices – including the blanket Class II designation for urban wetlands, the categorical 100-foot buffer zones and extended adjacent wetlands of variable size – have the potential to work significant changes through alteration of development patterns, land-use intensity and/or the capacity of affected lands to support existing uses,” Platkin wrote. “Nothing in the Short EAF indicates that DEC identified any of these potential environmental concerns as relevant areas warranting a hard look. The Short EAF’s analysis rests entirely on the narrow premise that expanded wetland protection is inherently beneficial to wetlands, and there is no indication that DEC considered anything other than that objective when it determined that Part 664 had no potential for adverse impacts.”

This story will be updated.

 

 

For More Information On Chautauqua Lake & County Real Estate and Living Visit: chautauqualakehomes.com

20 Acres with Well and Septic 5921 Colt Rd Brocton NY 14716

A Rare Find! 20 acres conveniently located just off Route 380. The property already has a driveway, well, and septic in place—ready for your future home or getaway retreat. It’s currently set up as a campsite, though any camper use would require town approval. Plenty of room to build, relax, or explore.

$87,500 MLS#  R1645892

 

 

 

 

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