There’s so much work to do once you decide to list your home for sale. From decluttering and deep cleaning to staging that historic Newburyport colonial or freshening up the landscaping on your West Newbury farmhouse, you must focus on presenting your home in the best possible light to attract buyers. But have you considered the influence your neighbors have on your property’s value?

In a market where the average single-family home in Newburyport now sells for $1.14 million and Essex County’s average sits at $825,000, the stakes are high. With just 1.09 months of housing supply statewide and homes in Greater Newburyport selling in an average of 32–57 days depending on the town, every detail matters—including the ones you can’t control on the other side of the property line.

First impressions are everything in real estate, and in our communities, they carry extra weight. Whether a buyer is driving down High Street in Newburyport, cruising the tree-lined roads of West Newbury, or checking out a Cape in Rowley, the first thing they’ll notice is how the entire street looks—not just your property.

In Essex County, where 45–65% of homes sell above asking price and buyers are competing fiercely for limited inventory, streetscape matters. A well-maintained block with manicured lawns, tidy driveways, and inviting exteriors creates a desirable neighborhood feel that lifts every home’s value. This is especially true in Newburyport’s Historic District, where buyers are paying a premium—$633 per square foot—for the character and charm that extends beyond individual homes to entire streetscapes.

On the flip side, a neighbor who rarely mows the lawn, doesn’t clear snow (a real concern during our North Shore winters), or keeps visible junk outside can diminish your home’s value by up to 20 percent according to appraisal experts. On a $900,000 Newburyport home, that’s potentially $180,000 in lost value. On a $690,000 Rowley Cape or a $687,000 Amesbury colonial, you could still be looking at $120,000–$140,000. That’s real money left on the table because of something on the other side of the fence.

Beyond what’s visible, the general atmosphere of your neighborhood influences buyer decisions—especially at premium price points. The sense of peace and community is a major selling point for buyers who are choosing Greater Newburyport specifically for its quality of life: the walkable downtown, the quiet backroads of Newbury, the beach living in Salisbury, the rural charm of West Newbury.

Noisy or disruptive neighbors can shatter that image quickly. Whether it’s frequent parties, barking dogs, loud music, or a general disregard for community standards, these issues create an uncomfortable living situation that savvy buyers will detect. In a market where buyers are paying $400–$633 per square foot, they’re not just buying a house—they’re buying into a lifestyle. They’ll do their research, walk the neighborhood at different times, and talk to people before making an offer.

According to appraisal experts, living near a disruptive neighbor can lower home values by 5 to 10 percent. These issues might not surface during an open house or initial showing, but experienced buyers—and there are plenty of them in this market—spend time in the neighborhood before committing. In Amesbury, where 55% of homes sell above asking and the market moves fast (19 days on market), anything that gives a buyer pause can mean losing the sale entirely to the next listing down the street.

Vacant properties create problems that go far beyond appearances. Unmowed lawns and visible deterioration are just the start. In our coastal climate, abandoned homes can quickly fall into disrepair—nor’easters take a toll on unattended roofs, moisture issues compound in our humid summers, and pest infestations can spread to neighboring properties. Rats, mice, and other rodents that take up residence in vacant homes don’t respect property lines.

This is a particular concern for properties in flood-prone areas of Newburyport, along Plum Island, and in parts of Salisbury, where ongoing maintenance is essential to prevent water damage. A neglected home in these areas can quickly become a community liability.

Vacant properties can also attract trespassing and vandalism, which raises safety concerns for the entire street. When crime rates increase—even modestly—it becomes harder for surrounding homeowners to sell. In a market with only 1.09 months of inventory statewide, anything that makes a buyer hesitate pushes them toward the next option.

Boundary disputes among neighbors are common everywhere, but they’re particularly prevalent in Essex County’s older communities. In Newburyport alone, nearly half of all homes were built before 1939. Many properties in Amesbury, Salisbury, and Newbury date to the 1700s and 1800s, when surveys were far less precise than today. A fence that crosses the property line, a shared driveway with an unclear agreement, or a garden that encroaches on a neighbor’s lot—these issues are more common than you might think.

If these disputes are unresolved when you list your home, buyers may fear inheriting a legal battle. Even after resolution, the history of conflict can linger and affect marketability. In Greater Newburyport’s dense downtown areas and historic neighborhoods, where homes sit close together on smaller lots, boundary clarity is especially important. West Newbury’s larger rural parcels present different challenges—shared well access, right-of-way agreements, and septic setback requirements can all become friction points with neighbors.

If you’re planning to sell, it’s worth getting a clear survey done and resolving any lingering boundary issues before you list. Your agent can advise on what’s worth addressing proactively versus disclosing to buyers.

This is one of the most sensitive but impactful neighborhood factors. Studies show that homes near registered sex offenders can see values drop by up to 17 percent due to stigma and safety concerns. In today’s market, buyers have easy access to the publicly available National Sex Offender Registry and frequently check it before making an offer or even attending a showing.

At Greater Newburyport’s price points—where a 17% drop on a $1.14 million Newburyport home means nearly $194,000 in lost value—this factor can be devastating. Even in Amesbury and Rowley, where median prices range from $687,000 to $690,000, a 17% reduction represents $117,000–$120,000. Statistically, homes in these situations receive fewer and lower offers, which can significantly extend your time on market in a region where homes typically sell in under two months.

RE/MAX Bentley's · Greater Newburyport

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RE/MAX Bentley's · (978) 572-1200 · bentleysrealestate.com

Market data: MLS PIN & RE/MAX Bentley's MA Housing Market Report, Feb 2026. Impact percentages based on published appraisal research. Actual results vary. Greater Newburyport = Newburyport, West Newbury, Newbury, Rowley, Salisbury, Amesbury.