The houses in my neighborhood are so close together that they overlap, which is useful if you're looking to study the genetic code of your next door neighbor, the chain-smoking, odor absorbing, power tool maniac.

It's also a boon for avoiding the trap of keeping up with the Jones'.
Not only is the grass greener on the other side of the fence, it's greener on this side, too-because of the overlap. This kind of communal organization does wonders for property values.

In fact, according to Holly, my across the street neighbor, no less than three real estate agents have approached her in recent weeks with tales of interested buyers and premium prices.

I ran into Holly just the other day outside our overlapping bathroom. I had dozed off in the hallway and was dreaming of a deserted island with nary a soul in sight, when she snapped me awake with a crisply whipped towel.

Once the morning shower started I marveled at my developed sense of community. I love my neighbor as I love myself, (especially Holly.) But more than anything, I love my backyard neighbor's stuff, even the things he etches his name on and locks up in what because of the overlap is actually my basement.

It might seem stifling at first, a tight knit neighborhood such as mine. You might not like being so close to your neighbors that in order to scratch your own back you have to start at your backyard neighbor's toes.

But it pays off in the long run with higher home values and this bit of close quarters wisdom: where you end begin your neighbors.

Learn more about this author, Dane Xouis.
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