Imagine being sued for $50 million because your neighbors don’t like the roof you are having installed on your new home. This scenario sounds like the plot of a B-list movie, but it actually happened to Brandon and Erin Coakley of Myrtle Beach. The lawsuit was only one of the obstacles they faced when constructing their new home. Security guards also ran the construction workers off before the roof was finished. What led to this dispute?
The Coakley family opted to install flat, black tiles on their roof. Why would the neighbors care about this? Other homes in the exclusive neighborhood featured Spanish barrel or S-shaped tiles, and the Coakley home would stand out. However, Dr. Coakley argued that the flat tiles still retained the Mediterranean look of the neighborhood, and one other neighbor had a similar roof. The story doesn’t end here, as the neighborhood website showed two different residences in the gated community with matching roofs.
Sadly, the resolution to this issue has not been publicly shared. Many people want to know what happened to the Coakley home. Others wonder why anyone would care what someone does with a property they legally purchased. Why would property owners be upset over a neighbor’s roofing choice or other actions they take regarding the roof on their home?
Neighbor Choices and Property Value
Ryan Fitzgerald, the owner of Raleigh Realty in North Carolina, explains that neighbors may become upset about construction or upgrades to a home, as such changes could lower property values by up to 10%. When a neighbor chooses an unappealing roofing material, such as neon shingles, the neighbors are right to be upset. They may decide to sell their home, only to find it sits on the market for an extended period because nobody wants to look at those shingles every day.
External obsolescence should be a concern for every property owner. Sadly, an existing homeowner often finds they have little control over these external features that affect a property’s value. They can control their own property, but not others’. If they live in a neighborhood with a homeowners’ association, they can take their case to the association. However, there is no guarantee the matter will be resolved quickly.
Some choices have minimal impact on a property’s value. For example, a neighbor may become ill and fail to cut their lawn for a few weeks, leading to overgrown grass and an unkempt appearance. Other factors, such as the choice of roofing materials or an inadequately maintained roof, will have a long-term impact on the surrounding property value. Individuals must distinguish between the two and know when to take action and when to be neighborly and offer help.
Aesthetic Appeal
The choice of roofing material goes beyond color or style. Neighborhoods typically have an aesthetic appeal. Imagine driving through a neighborhood of colonial homes only to find a modern residence. It throws off the look of the entire neighborhood. The neighborhood loses its charm and what makes it unique.
People often don’t consider roofs when discussing a neighborhood’s or community’s aesthetic appeal, but they actually shape the skyline. People want to see similar colors, shapes, and materials, fostering a sense of unity and harmony in the neighborhood. While the homes may be diverse, the roofs are similar. People view them as continuous and cohesive and imagine the people living in these homes share similar characteristics with them. They can see themselves becoming a part of the community.
At times, an eclectic roof is preferred. For example, a person who wants to live in a diverse neighborhood might find that all the properties have different roofs. In this situation, the variety adds to the dynamic streetscape and may increase a property’s value when a distinct roofing material is selected. The owner simply needs to choose a company offering roof installation services that has experience in installing the desired roof.
A neighborhood might contain energy-efficient homes and attract people concerned about climate change. Homes might have green roofs or solar panels to help achieve this goal. When a neighbor moves in and replaces one of these roofing materials with shingles, the neighbors may be dismayed. Their area has lost a feature that distinguishes it from other neighborhoods in the city or town. Property values may decrease as the neighborhood becomes less distinct. The homeowner who chose to replace the green roof with a less environmentally friendly option has harmed their neighbors with this decision.
How Might Neighbors Respond When a Person Makes an Unsuitable Choice?
Individuals might have recourse when a neighbor makes an unsuitable choice regarding roofing materials. If the home is in a historical area, the homeowner may argue that the roofing material doesn’t comply with historical preservation laws. The project may then be halted until it is modified to adhere to the rules on the books.
In the case of neon green shingles, neighbors may have a private nuisance claim. They could argue that the shingles are interfering with their ability to use and enjoy their property, as nobody wants to look at this eyesore. If the roof diminishes their quality of life, they may prevail in a lawsuit. To do so, they will need to prove that the disturbance is both unreasonable and substantial.
A roof makes up a significant portion of a home’s exterior, so proving the disturbance is substantial may not be difficult. Who determines what is unreasonable? Doing so is more challenging, but it never hurts for the neighbors to try. They need to demonstrate that installing the neon shingles will negatively impact their quality of life and property values for the case to succeed.
At times, the neighbor chooses to install a reflective metal roof or solar panels. Doing so will lead to a glare striking a neighbor’s home. When it does, it disrupts their daily life, and they can no longer enjoy their property. Courts consider what an ordinary person would find disruptive when making a ruling in a case such as this.
The glare may be severe, making certain rooms in the home unusable for several hours each day. However, the problem might extend beyond a few homes. The reflection could obstruct drivers’ views or prevent nearby neighbors from enjoying their homes. As a result, their property values will decrease, as who would want to buy a home when they can’t spend time in the yard or certain portions of the house because of this glare.
Roof Maintenance
Roof maintenance also makes for happy neighbors. A person doesn’t want to come home every day to see a tarp over a neighbor’s roof or patches of mismatched shingles. Eyesores such as this reduce the curb appeal of the property and the neighborhood as a whole. Individuals driving down the street will get the impression that the homeowners don’t care about their properties and will look elsewhere if they wish to buy a home. The question then becomes, “Does a bad roof affect an appraisal?” The answer is yes, and it extends beyond that one property. All property values may decrease when one person doesn’t take care of their home or cuts corners during necessary repairs.
Foreclosed Properties
A bigger concern for many homeowners involves foreclosed properties. If an individual chooses an unsuitable roofing material or fails to maintain the roof due to financial pressures and the home goes into foreclosure, it may sit for an extended period. The New York Times conducted a study that found that properties within 500 feet of a foreclosed home decrease in value by 1.3 percent. The value may rebound when the home is purchased, and the new owner makes changes to improve its curb appeal and increase the value, but this could take time because the roofing material is unappealing. The neighboring property owners must wait it out, which can be highly frustrating.
Avoiding Similar Issues
Every homeowner should consider their neighbors and local trends when making decisions regarding home construction and home improvements. When a property adheres to neighborhood standards, it typically increases in value over time. If the property has a distinct look, the owner may find it hard to sell. The property may sit on the market for an extended period.
Homeowners should talk with local real estate agents to learn how construction and remodeling choices may impact the property’s value. Doing so ensures they know their choices will add value to their residence and benefit them in the long run. This peace of mind is priceless.
Show respect for others when making property decisions. A person should never complain about a neighbor’s choices if their property isn’t well-kept. For example, a homeowner shouldn’t complain about their neighbor’s roofing choices if they have weeds growing in the yard and broken-down cars sitting in the driveway. Every homeowner should maintain their property to protect its value and the value of the properties around them.
Thomas Jefferson once said, “A good neighbor is a very desirable thing.” Are you a good neighbor? Would you say those living around you are good neighbors? When people work together and communicate respectfully, many neighborhood disputes can be easily resolved. Once they are, everyone can live in harmony and comfort while enjoying one another’s company. Keep this in mind when making choices about your property, and talk with neighbors about their options, so everyone can work together and feel like a cohesive community where anyone would want to live.
Dean has extensive experience in the roofing and construction business with over 26 years under his belt. As a former insurance adjuster, Dean got into this industry knowing what is required for a good durable quality roof, founding JDCC Roofing in 1999. Over the years, creating roofs that are not only safe and dry but add beauty and style to a house led JDCC Roofing into the remodeling business.
Dean and his family proudly support “Bearcat Nation” in Aledo, TX. Dean also enjoys spending time outdoors and playing golf in his spare time.
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