Answers by Nissim Twito

The short answer is: usually yes—but with important limits. In most U.S. states, including New York, a neighbor generally has the right to trim branches or roots from your tree up to the property line, even without asking your permission. However, they cannot go onto your property to do it without your consent, and they cannot cut beyond the property line. There are also important restrictions: They cannot intentionally damage or destroy the tree. If they prune so aggressively that the tree becomes unhealthy, unstable, or dies, they may be liable for the damage. They cannot cut branches that are entirely on your side of the property line. They are generally responsible for the cost of trimming branches that overhang their property. Based on what you described—"it's like a big slice out of the tree"—the key question is whether they: Cut only the portions that extended over their property, or Cut so much that they crossed the property line or seriously damaged the tree. If the tree now looks significantly unbalanced or you're concerned about its health, I'd recommend: Take clear photos of the tree from several angles as soon as possible. If possible, find older photos showing what it looked like before. Have a certified arborist inspect it to determine whether the pruning was proper or whether it harmed the tree. If the arborist concludes the tree was damaged, you may have a claim against your neighbor for the loss in value or the cost of treatment.

Not necessarily. The right answer depends on your local market, your home's layout, and the cost of adding a bathroom. A 4-bedroom home with only one bathroom is generally less desirable than a comparable home with 2 or more bathrooms. Many buyers today expect: 3 bedrooms → at least 2 bathrooms. 4 bedrooms → ideally 2 to 2.5 bathrooms. That said, adding a bathroom doesn't always produce a dollar-for-dollar return on investment. Before spending money, I recommend: Get a comparative market analysis (CMA). Compare your home with recent sales of similar 4-bedroom homes both with one bathroom and with two bathrooms. Estimate the cost of adding a bathroom. In many markets, adding a bathroom can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000+, depending on the work required. Calculate the return. If adding a bathroom costs $30,000 but only increases the sale price by $15,000–$20,000, you're usually better off selling as-is and pricing it appropriately. In many cases, a well-priced 4-bedroom, 1-bath home will still sell, especially if it's in a desirable neighborhood, has good square footage, and buyers see the potential to add a second bathroom later.