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So what makes a good neighbor?

By
Real Estate Agent with Bedard Realty MA:9044461 RI: 0029015

 

One of the most important things buyers are looking for when searching for a home is that it is located in a “good neighborhood”. But what makes a “good neighborhood”?  The answer is the people who live there, of course, the neighbors. So what makes a good neighbor?

 Good neighbors are usually taken for granted. Most people usually do not comment that they have a good neighbor but they are quick to comment and complain about a bad one. Follow these tips on being a good neighbor.

Maintain your home and the area around your home so that it's neat and attractive.  Perform regular maintenance both inside and out to keep your home looking attractive. Neighbors will have difficulty respecting a neighbor who creates an eyesore near their own property. Make sure to keep the lawn mowed, trees and shrubs trimmed and keep trash and clutter out of sight. Paint your home when needed, shovel your sidewalks and bring in your trash barrels the same day of the pick-up.

Be conscientious about noises that might disturb your neighbors. No one likes a noisy neighbor.  Keep noise to a minimum. If you’re throwing a party that’s likely to be loud, invite everyone within earshot.  Do not mow your lawn at 8:00 AM on Sunday. Keep your barking dog under control. And try to be extra considerate if you know a nearby neighbor has a newborn or is recuperating from an illness.

Get to know your neighbors. It is much easier to resolve disputes or issues with neighbor when you have a friendly relationship with them.

Lend them a hand if needed. Shovel the driveway of an elderly neighbor or offer to drive them to the grocery store in inclement weather. Offer to collect their mail and take in their newspapers and trash barrels if they are going out of town for an extended period of time.

Return anything that you borrow from your neighbor, such as tools or appliances, as soon as possible. Express your gratitude when you do so. Replace anything that belongs to your neighbor that you, your children, or your pets break or soil.

Show the neighbors respect, regardless of their behavior towards you. Honor their boundaries and respect any unusual tendencies they may have. If you respect their eccentricities, they will be more likely to respect yours. Respect their privacy.

 Maintain your composure when your neighbors make a mistake. If their visitors block your driveway, or a party gets a little out of hand, be forgiving and understanding. This will earn you the same consideration when you make a mistake.

Drive safely through the neighborhood. Your neighbors will appreciate that you are looking out for their children and pets.

Watch your pets closely and do not let them roam the neighborhood. That can lead to people getting hurt or your animals using their yard as a bathroom. If you pet does get loose, corral it as quickly as you can and clean up any messes it left behind.

It is not too hard to be a good neighbor or a better neighbor. It is also not very hard to welcome a new neighbor.  After all, you want your neighbors to be good neighbors because that's good nighborhood

 

 

SEARCH FOR A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD.

 

 

Posted by
Jim Sinnott
Realtor
Graduate of Real Estate Institute,GRI

Bedard Realty
500 East Washington Street
North Attleboro, MA02760
cell: 508-944-1274
office 508-699-5588
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Licensed in MA and RI
 
"Get the Service You Deserve."

Comments (11)

Shuchi Agrawal
Kanam Realty Group/Kanam Commercial - Flower Mound, TX
Serving Dallas / Ft. Worth

Great post and great message!  Thanks for sharing this - we often forget to remember our neighbors and it couldn't be more important.  Have a wonderful day!

Apr 05, 2015 11:52 PM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Jim - Neighbors do have a huge impact on how an owner perceives their neighborhood. Good neighbors equals a good neighborhood more often than not.

Apr 06, 2015 06:00 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

This is a fantastic reminder of what it needs to be a neighbor or a colleague or friend. Thumbs up!

Apr 06, 2015 07:00 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

A neighbor means more than proximity is what I mean to say really. Great post regardless!

Apr 06, 2015 07:02 AM
Jim Sinnott
Bedard Realty - North Attleboro, MA
Realtor, GRI Licensed in MA and RI

I like to think that I am a good neighbor but to be sure I should send out a survery.

 

Apr 06, 2015 09:26 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Jim,  Knowing and interacting with neighbors is important to many homeowners. Time, or lack of time, due to work schedules, is definitely a factor in neighbor interaction.  Neighborhoods with young children and local schools have more interaction among neighbors, due to the interaction of the children and their parents. Smaller lots are also conducive to more frequent neighbor interaction.

Apr 06, 2015 10:40 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Those are all very good tips about being a good neighbor! Thanks for the list.

Apr 06, 2015 12:33 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

At the minimum, one should be greeting ones neighbors often...from there, take it where you want to go

Apr 07, 2015 12:13 AM
Kris Neese
ActiveRain - Bellevue, WA
Mr. Behind the Scenes at ActiveRain

You should offer to hand this out to all of your buyers' new neighbors as a white glove service! :)

Apr 07, 2015 12:33 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

We're supposed to actually get to know your neighbors still? What is this 1985? 

Apr 07, 2015 12:54 AM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Jim - These are good suggestions.  Getting to know your neighbors makes it easy to approach each other if there is an issue.

Apr 07, 2015 03:52 PM