(With apologies to Robert Frost.) Something there is that doesn’t love a wall ... or a sale.

What should you do if you think your neighbors are to blame for your house languishing on the market? For example, let’s say you’ve made your home an attractive showcase; yet, the area beyond your boundaries is a disaster zone.

Your neighbor’s yard looks like a perpetual garage sale -- or worse, a perpetual junk yard. The landscaping is straight out of a Munsters script. The lawn is overgrown, hiding who knows how many abandoned toys, hoses, rakes, and elephant bones. The driveway resembles the pits at a demolition derby. And paint chips fly off the siding with every breeze.

Perhaps that’s an exaggeration. But the fact remains that when you need to sell your house, you need to sell your neighborhood, as well. And whereas a cluttered lawn next door may not reduce the value of your property, it may turn off many potential buyers.

So what can you do about a trashy neighbor?

To paraphrase our native poet, good senses make good neighbors. Sometimes, a little understanding goes a long way. There could be any number of legitimate reasons that your neighbors have neglected their property. For instance, they could have just had a baby or started a new job. Or perhaps they are sick. In situations like these, the neighborly thing to do is to help out. Ask them if you can cut the grass for them or paint the house. In the long run, you both win.

But what if there is no good reason for the mess? What if your neighbor is simply a slob? In cases like these, good finesse makes good neighbors. Addressing a problem with a neighbor is no easy task. It requires courage and tact. But it should always be your first step. Explain your situation to your neighbor. Tell them that the condition of their property is adversely affecting the sale of your house. And ask them nicely if they would clean it up. Even offer to help.

If you’re uncomfortable with that option, good pretenses make good neighbors. Ask your real estate agent to approach the neighbors on your behalf. After all, your agent has a stake in this, too. And as a third party, he or she can speak with an element of objectivity. Who knows? Perhaps having a stranger bring up the issue of clutter will embarrass your neighbor into action.

Also, see if other neighbors will join in your appeal. There is strength in numbers.

Speaking of numbers, it could be said that good finances make good neighbors. Never underestimate the persuasive power of the almighty dollar. Let your agent suggest that if your neighbor tidies up, you’ll toss in $500 or $1,000 for their efforts after your house closes. Adjust your offer according to the amount of work necessary ... and according to how badly the current condition of the hovel next door is affecting you property value.

If that stratagem fails, stop playing Mr. Nice Guy. Good defenses make good neighbors. A cluttered landscape may not only be an eye sore, it may be a violation of local ordinances. Check with the neighborhood association, the town hall, the fire department, the police department, the county health department, and the state office of All Things Trash and Clutterful.

An overgrown yard may be a fire hazard or an harborage for pests and rodents. Peeling paint may be a lead-poisoning hazard. Unused cars and appliances scattered about the premises probably violate junk vehicle ordinances and other dumping laws. If your neighbor is creating extra clutter or noise as part of a home business, he or she may be violating zoning codes. If their dog barks all hours of all days, the animal control department may have a say in the matter.

Play a little hard ball. If you have a legitimate beef against your neighbor and all other tactics have failed, file a complaint and let the town, state, or law make the slobs next door clean up their act.

Finally, maybe the bumpkin neighbor in Frost’s poem had it right -- good fences make good neighbors. If you can’t get the neighbor to clean up his or her property, maybe your best bet is to put up a good fence that blocks the unsightly view. Of course, that could bring up a whole other issue of border disputes.

Because ... something there is that doesn’t love a wall.