Money Manners: Banana yellow paint a slippery slope for Tucson neighbors

Dear Jeanne & Leonard:

Our next-door neighbors are very nice people, and my wife and I have been quite friendly with them. Unfortunately, however, their taste is terrible. Recently, they showed us the color they’re planning to paint their house, and it’s hideous — a garish banana yellow so bright the astronauts will be able to see it from the space station. Long story short, I asked our neighbors if they’d be willing to paint their house a more neutral shade as a favor to us, explaining (respectfully) that if they went ahead with the bright yellow, they’d be lowering the value not just of their house, but of our house as well. They were furious. They told me they have the right to paint their home any color they want, and they haven’t spoken to my wife or me since. What should we do?

— Mr. Smith, Tucson

Dear Mr. Smith:

You could always tell your neighbors that you’re planning to pen a llama in your front yard, and see if that doesn’t encourage them to negotiate.

But setting aside revenge fantasies, the fact is that even speaking truth to power can be easier than speaking truth to neighbors. You are absolutely right, though: A garishly painted home is likely to drag down the values of the homes that adjoin it, and your neighbors were wrong to take offense at your raising the issue. Yet here you are. All you can hope for at this point is that your words have planted a seed in your neighbors’ minds and that, as they drive through the neighborhood, they begin to realize how inappropriate and out of place the color they’ve selected would be.

But don’t bet on it. Start growing a hedge!

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Dear Jeanne & Leonard:

I’m a graduate student, and I live in a house that my parents bought near the university I attend. The house has three bedrooms, and I rent out the two I’m not using. Here’s why I’m writing: My parents say that the rent money should go to them because the house belongs to them. But I think that half of the rent should go to me, since I found the tenants, collect their rent payments and, in effect, manage the house. Who’s right?

— Alexis, Arkansas

Dear Alexis:

Do you pay rent? We’re guessing you don’t, and if that’s the case, you’re already being more than compensated for any work that having tenants involves for you.

But wait, there’s more. Do you pay the property taxes on the house you’re living in? The maintenance expenses? The insurance? Owning a house is expensive, and it’s costing your mother and father a lot of money to keep you in this one. So stop feeling ill-used and do the math. You are one lucky woman to have parents who are willing and able to underwrite your student living expenses like this.