Seven Tips to be a Good Neighbor
Sep-16, 2019
Whether you’ve just moved to a new neighborhood or you’ve been in your community for years, it’s important to maintain a good relationship with your neighbors. Neighborhoods have their own personalities; some are very social with weekly get-togethers and lots of mailbox conversations, while others are more reserved with everyone keeping to themselves. Whatever the personality of your neighborhood, however, there are a few simple tips that everyone should follow to be a good neighbor and make your community a happy one.
Be Respectful of Boundaries
Whether you are best friends with your neighbor or just acquaintances, you should always observe and respect their personal space. And this does not just refer to physical space, like their home and their yard, but allowing for privacy without inserting yourself into their family interactions. While your kids may be welcome in their yard occasionally, spending hours on their swing set each day might be pushing it.
Keep Up With Your Yard
Maintain your curb appeal – mow your lawn, pull any excessive weeds and maintain your landscaping. You don’t want to be that one house in the neighborhood that is an eyesore for everyone. While not everyone enjoys spending hours maintaining ornate landscaping, you should keep with basic home maintenance and repair, and yard work. Also, be aware of any community rules and guidelines that might be in place through a homeowners association. These may dictate a variety of things about your property, including parking restrictions, landscaping requirements, and paint colors.
Minimize Noise
Be aware of the noise that your family creates – whether it is music, barking dogs, or revving car engines – and try to keep it at a minimum. No one expects a perfectly quiet neighbor, but there is a time and place for everything, and the personality of your neighborhood will dictate what is acceptable. Generally speaking, keep noise to a minimum between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m., and give your neighbor a heads up if you will be hosting a large party.
Be Friendly
Being friendly never hurts. When someone new moves into the neighborhood, introduce yourself! Neighbors are people you will most likely see on a regular basis for years, which is why it’s important to maintain a respectful relationship. A simple “hello” can go a long way. Asking your kids to do the same is also a must. These friendships that take place between the lawns may last forever.
Lend a Helping Hand
Be open to helping your neighbors out whenever possible. This could be snow-blowing their sidewalks and driveway in the wintertime, or offering to babysit their kids for a couple of hours. They will appreciate you going the extra mile and probably return the favor when you’re in need. As Mister Rogers always said, “look around your neighborhood, there are always people helping others!”
Stay in Touch
Is there a neighborhood block party coming up? Are you having a garage sale? Inform your neighbors of any local events or community gatherings—even if unsure they’ll be interested. Hosting an event for your neighbors is a great idea. Also, keep your neighbors updated regarding any major projects you are having done around your home, particularly anything that may impact them. While you don’t need their permission to make changes to your home or yard, giving them updates will go a long way towards keeping the peace.
Look After Your Pets
This is a given. Take responsibility for your pets and always clean up after them. Be sure to keep them away from your neighbor’s lawns; not everybody loves your pet as much as you do.
Simple gestures and common courtesy can go a long way in creating a happy and peaceful neighborhood. Follow these simple tips to be a good neighbor, and others will do the same. Visit Homewood Homes to find a community that meets your family’s needs and contact us today to get started on building your forever home.