What do I do if my neighbors are scumbags but I am trying to sell my home?

Question

I had three people come to my door today and drop off a petition and some materials regarding my neighbors Stan and Monique Antonuk. I did a lot of research online and learned that, according to a ton of materials I found on various websites, my neighbor Stan Antonuk has been running an online pornography business and prostitution ring for years. The business name is Kowabunga and is even traded on the Amex under the symbol THK.

After talking to my husband about these neighbors, he pointed out that they have children. I am obviously going to keep my children away from their home.

My husband and I have had our house on the market for a few months now. We are having trouble meeting our monthly payments since our rates went up. I guess a lot of people are in the same boat we are in.

I want to sign the petition and get these slimey creaps out of my neighborhood but my husband is saying it might bring down our property value if their is too much publicity drawn to it and that everyone deserves the right to earn a living.

I am not a prude or a nervous Nelly but I don't think that the Antonuks should be able to endanger my children or get rich in such a manner. We live just a couple of miles from East Lake High School and I am aslo nervous about the element the Antonuks might be introducing to our community.

Is there anything else I can do that might not jeopardize my home's market value but still get rid of this dirty element? Creative ideas appreciated.

Answer 1

You might try minding your own business.

Answer 2

Just because he works in the s**t industry does not mean he's a threat to your children.  If you are that concerned- check out the s*x offender list and see if he's on it.  Seems to me a registered s*x offender would be a bigger threat. Here's a good web site: www.familywatchdog.com

But, not all s*x offenders are dangerous. The 18 yo who had s*x with his 16 yo girlfriend is on there.  The guy who got drunk and took a tinkle in public-- yep, on there (for having the winky out tinky).

Has he been a good neighbor? Any wild partys? Grass cut?

If the only way you found out was the other nosy neighbors-- stay out of it. They guy is entitled to earn a living.

And yes, making a big deal of it will increase publicity and hurt your property value.  

You can sign all the petitions you want-- that does not mean the guy has to sell. Its not against the law for a guy working in the s*x industry to own a house. All that does is make the guy mad. Do you really want the guy next door mad at you when you are trying to sell your house?

You said you are having trouble meeting your monthly payments since interest rates re-set. That happened to a bunch of folks who purchased homes using substandard morgages. They wanted more  house than they could afford and the only way to do it was interst only, arms, hybrid, balloon payment loans.

How would you feel if the neighbor found out-- went around the neighborhood with a petition. You are a foreclosure danger. You purchased more house than you can afford and are putting on airs trying to live above your means.  Therefore, you are not responsible with your money. When your house forcloses -- your home will sell well below market value and it will bring down the whole neighborhood. In the mean time, heavans only knows what you'll do to earn money. And besides - people who are about to lose the house- stop maintaining it.  You are just going to drag down teh neighbohood. They need to get people like you out.

How did what I just say make you feel?  I just judged your entire character based on the fact that you said you are having a hard time making your mortgage payments. I've never met you - don't know you at all - but judged you pretty harshly and (you would say) unfairly.

In my opinion - mind your own business.

If it bothers you, get to know the neighbors so you can judge them based on your own experiance with them -- not based on what a couple of busy bodies in the neighborhood said.

Answer 3

It took "a lot of research online" for you to find any details about your neighbors.  It appears that you have never noticed anything out of the ordinary before.  For years.  The alleged prostitution ring is operated online--there are no prostitutes walking up and down your street.

They are not accused of anything involving children.  There are not doing anything to "endanger" your children.  They (maybe) have been running an online s*x business for adults that has never caused you a single problem.

They can "get rich" any slimy way they want as long as they aren't breaking the law.

Mind your beeswax and keep trying to sell your house.  Ask your realtor if that is something you need to disclose to potential buyers.  My guess is that it is not.

As for the petition and driving these people out of their home, if they are actually CONVICTED and must register as s*x offenders, then you might have some basis to demand that they move.  Not very likely.

In the meantime, you have nothing.