Good neighbors are important. Even the most beautiful house can feel like a prison when the homeowners next to you are loud, obnoxious, and disrespectful. On the other hand, decent and helpful neighbors can make a community feel warm and inviting, even for its newest members. Here are 7 qualities of good neighbors that can help make home ownership a delight, instead of a chore:
1. Good Neighbors are Friendly
Years ago, neighbors in most communities were almost like family: they knew your name, where you worked, and what you were all about. They weren't shy about spending a few minutes on the weekend to catch up with you.
Nowadays neighborly friendliness has become a rare commodity. That's why it's really special when your neighbor drops by with a batch of "welcome cookies," or takes the initiative to greet you when walking down the street. Even though you don't have to be best friends, when your neighbors are nice and approachable it makes life that much easier.
2. Good Neighbors are Quiet
Loud neighbors can set your nerves on edge, and even disrupt your sleep. While noise control policies can help to maintain the peace of the community, it's that much better when your neighbors are inclined to be respectful in the first place, and conscientiously avoid wild parties and loud music.
3. Good Neighbors are Tidy
One worn-down house or one unkempt yard can bring down the value of an entire subdivision. When you have neighbors that work hard to maintain their property's appearance, everybody wins.
4. Good Neighbors Handle Differences in a Mature Way
If you live in a community long enough, it's inevitable that an issue will arise between you and one of your neighbors. Whether it's a problem with a pet, a dispute over borders, or anything else, a good neighbor won't jump to conclusions, or resort to gossiping about you to the other homeowners behind your back. Instead, he will come to you directly, listen to your side of the story, and present his thoughts in a respectful manner. When your neighbor is a peace-maker instead of a peace-breaker, you'll be able to enjoy a deeper sense of security at home.
5. Good Neighbors are Trustworthy
When it comes to good neighbors, you don't have to worry about them taking advantage of you. For example, if you're out of town and need your neighbors to receive a package for you, you can have absolute confidence that they'll keep their word and store your package in a safe place.
6. Good Neighbors are Willing to Help
Another key quality of good neighbors is their willingness to help you if they see a need — sometimes before you even ask. Whether it's a tiny problem or a major emergency, a good neighbor will be there to offer whatever assistance is within his or her power.
7. Good Neighbors Stay Connected
We live in an age of unparalleled communication — and unprecedented isolation. Many people feel increasingly disconnected from normal human interaction, even as their social media profiles boast hundreds or even thousands of followers. That's why a neighbor who shares his phone number and occasionally checks in with you is such a wonderful thing to have. Never underestimate the value of such a neighbor!
It's true that good neighbors are hard to find. However, they do still exist — in a wide variety of close-knit communities around the world. Reach out to Grand Manors today to learn more about how we help manage communities that have good neighbors, and work to strengthen the common goals and interests of community members.
