[seeker1950]

I have a fella out there right now putting preservative on my privacy fence. Most everything I do requires hiring someone. Plus!, I live between two homeowners who do absolutely nothing to take care of their property. Like gutters falling off their houses, etc., junk piled in the yards. Grass a foot high. Such is the lower-middle neighborhood I settled into. I know from having "market analysis" done in the past that no matter what one does to ones property, the price is based on what the surrounding houses sell for. So, in that sense, all the work is in vain, but it drives me crazy to have something go wrong. When, if ever, I try to sell this house, I'll surely take a big loss.

[IowaFarmGal]

Awesome that you take care of your property anyway. Are the neighbors elderly?

[Perna]

Yes! I just took my cat to the vet and they found fleas on her so I'm applying for/hiring cleaning services to do my rugs well, etc. to see if I can "help" some, this on top of the other cat going to the ER vet and the car breaking $900 worth, etc. The other cat does not have fleas and I didn't know this one did; we haven't seen hide nor hair of any anywhere (found them on her belly and she doesn't let us look there) so I'm hoping there's not a huge problem with the house or I'm a goner with cheap wall-to-wall absolutely everywhere.

Too old for this stuff

I have the neighbor problems too; just had the landscaping corrected (after this summer's weather, it was out of control!), have to buy a new tree to replace the plants that did not make it in one particular part of my garden (I'm getting a Japanese maple, I'm very excited!) but the neighbors have problems with theirs, the one on one side just tore down the rotten deck and half replaced that, much better but not at all finished looking; I think they're renting their house to young adults too (the couple are separated and I think it is some of their son's friends staying there occasionally or something; hard to know, people come and go).

We need the gutters done and, eventually the roof and the house is "cheap" so has all sorts of building issues its had all its life (I'll have to replace all the ducts at some point, only half work so the AC/heat wastes money and doesn't work well in most rooms).

[seeker1950]

Oh...Perna and Iowa...
Yes, one of the neighbors is elderly. She is the mean neighbor I've written about before, who poisoned one of my cats, and said she was glad the other cat had impaled himself on her sharp fence. (That cost me hundreds to have him healed.) The other neighbors are a younger couple who have three kids, and just don't care for their property at all. I actually gave them several panels of leftover privacy fence since theirs is rotten, and what did they do?..just propped the new fence I gave them in front of the rotten ones, not even attaching them! Also, I have a neighbor across the street who has a whole clan moving in, and they have no parking space for all their vehicles, so they park their rusty truck in front of my house! OH, well, I am lucky to have a roof over my head, I guess!

Yikes... I feel for all of you.
Perna... if you want a do it yourself job get some diatamaceous earth to sprinkle of rugs and carpets, itkills fleas and other insects and it's natural and safe.The other problems are a bit more complicated. Good luck with those
Patty... neighbors. Gotta love fences Build them high and build them strong. If these people park on the road there's not much you can do. If they park on your property some large rocks/boulders placed strategically will do the trick.
I can't believe how mean a person would be to poison anyone's pet. So sorry for you and your cats.
Yes, you're stuck with your neighbors homes bringing the value of your place down. But... if you ever sell, the condition of your place should still appeal to buyers. I love DIY stuff. Over the years I've learned to do just about everything except involved electrical work and HVAC. That's best left to professionals. Unfortunately you're thousands of miles away from me and my tools.
Where would you like to move? Someplace more rural and secluded? Still need good strong fences for that

[Perna]

Originally Posted by George H.

Yikes... Perna... if you want a do it yourself job get some diatamaceous earth to sprinkle of rugs and carpets, itkills fleas and other insects and it's natural and safe.

LOL, George, funny you should mention that; our good friend who has a huge infestation in his apartment building (from whom I think my cat got our fleas; we live in a no tree/moist litter, full sun area by the water, and my other cat does not have them; his apartment complex just had professionals come spray their lawns, every animal in the complex has problems), got enamored with that, bought some and used it in his apartment and regretted it; one gets the diatamaceous earth all over and you have to put it on the pets (no thanks) and some people even feed it to their pets and eat some themselves (for intestinal parasites). It didn't work for him and he finally bought a new super duper vacuum to get it up but still finds it in odd places.

The one time we've had fleas and ticks, one year when we were living in a rambler on an acre of wooded land and the cats were going outside, the Advantage/Front Line worked fine for us so I'll see what happens with this. As long as I never see/feel one and my cat isn't going mental, I'm fine with fleas like with ants, spiders, crickets, etc. (this cat is a cricket "hunter" and brings them into the house in her mouth, from the porch where they get in and when you figure it out and chase her, she carries them upstairs to the bedroom; crickets in your bed anyone?).

[whenwillitend]

I'm very lucky, my husband can fix just about anything. But there's things that need done that he *could* do, but we just can't afford the material for, like the fence. our fence is literally falling apart, we have a wooden privacy fence, and it will be about $5000 to replace it. That's with a company, less if my husband does it, but still quite pricey. So for now we just put "bandaids" on it and hope it'll hold a bit longer.
My husband replaced the deck last summer. He did an awesome job, looked very professional.
We got very lucky with the roof. We asked the previous owners to put a new roof on before we bought the house, and they did it. They even let us choose what kind of roof we wanted and what color.

We're lucky, we live in a quiet little neighborhood where everyone takes care of their properties. That is something we really paid attention to while househunting. That was important to us. And we got lucky.

[seeker1950]

OH, LOL, Whenwillitend, I had one of those fences that was falling apart, and I did the bandaid thing for a couple of years. It became unmanageable after a while, not even bandaid fixing would remedy it.

Yes, you are lucky to be in a neighborhood where everyone takes care of their houses. I'm not especially critical or particular about what my neighbors do or don't do, and for the most part, they are nice folks, despite the rundown property.

I'm just thinking I might be better off in a condo where all the outside maintenance is taken care of for a fee. But, then , I have these two dogs and one cat. I can't abandon my pets and finding a place where they would be comfortable and safe is a challenge. Plus, selling and moving is a task I can't face. I'm comfortable here, and will just put blinders on when I come and go!

[MuseumGhost]

The flea problem is worse this year, because of the heat and dryness everywhere.

It can be handled, if you're scrupulous about vacuuming---and the diatomaceous earth works well, as do pyrethrine flea powders, and LOTS of regular vacuuming (especially where the cats lay, and down between cushions and pillows. Blankets need to be laundered and dried in a dryer.) Even cats who do not go outside can get fleas---just laying by a screen door at ground level can do it---so, it's good to know it can be handled.

Infestations only happen when people are not on top of the problem. A flea life cycle is between 2-3 weeks, in human surroundings---so repeat as needed. And be sure to seal vac bags/garbage bags with tape---and dispose immediately outside.

And, seeker, you're doing the right thing, keeping your place up. It's just a shame others may not be able to follow suit. I know, I've been there. (Our place is neat---we just can't afford all the lovely landscaping and flowers that everyone around us has. I know they think we're odd, but it's our reality, for now.) Everybody's got their different challenges.

Money problems are everywhere, and it is a very worrying thing. Houses are expensive to maintain---but the payoff is so worth it.

And, just gotta say, your artrox are lovely! Very nice.

[MuseumGhost]

An idea, Seeker----Maybe you could call Habitat for Humanity, and they coud recommend some group to come and help neighbours with yard issues? Or perhaps they could recommend City offices that know of charity groups that do that sort of thing? Some thoughts.

Many young people's groups will come and do the work in the Summers for a very small donation.

[seeker1950]

Thank you, Museum ...
The neighbors do not lack money. They could keep up their property if it were a priority.

Blinders may be the best solution. You aren't going to change the neighbors (you knew that lol) and it's your home and it sounds like you're comfy and happy enough there. Just keep that fence in good repair I went house hunting with my sister once. We saw this house with a 12 to 15 foot cinderblock "fence." That's a good neighbor fence. More like a castle wall I have a friend who has an amazing place. A 10" chain link fence with tall srubs and vines. In the back he's built a small park with a maze-like structure of paths. Has a lot of cool solar powered mood lights and sculptures made from scrap copper plumbing. He and his wife have built all this over several years. It's so beautiful and peaceful.