Good Neighborhood Etiquette For First-Time Homeowners
Congratulations on purchasing your first home. It’s an exciting and memorable time that marks the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Upon moving into your home, however, you should make it a point to introduce yourself to the neighbors. Establishing a strong connection with individuals and families in the surrounding neighborhood is an important step in turning a “house” into a “home.”
Introduce Yourself
Try to introduce yourself to the neighbors within 48 hours of moving into your new home. Even if you don’t see them, chances are they know you moved in.
Wait until 5:00-6:00 PM (usually when most people are off work), and walk over to their home and ring the doorbell. You don’t have to spend an hour chatting; just shake his or her hand and tell them your name. A quick 5-minute introduction goes a long ways in establishing a positive relationship with the neighbors.
Offer Assistance
If you see your neighbor struggling to move a new piece of furniture, lumber, etc., offer your assistance. Chances are they’ll decline, but it’s the small things such as this that make a good neighbor. And if you ever find yourself in need of assistance, they may return the favor.
Watch The Noise
It should come as no surprise that noise is the single most common complaint among neighbors. When you lie down at night in preparation of a busy workday the following morning, you expect peace and quiet. Unfortunately, some people underestimate the importance of a peaceful night’s rest, blasting music and performing other high-volume activities. See below for some helpful tips on how to keep the noise level down.
- Don’t mow your lawn or use other loud equipment before 7:00 AM or past 7:00 PM.
- If your dog is barking at night, bring them indoors.
- Don’t blast your car stereo late at night or early in the morning.
- If you must perform late-night renovations and/or remodeling work on your home, wait until the weekend.
Housewarming Party
Lastly, consider hosting a housewarming party once you’ve settled into your new home. Something as simple as some burgers on the grill is a great way to break the ice with your neighbors. This will give you the opportunity to find out more about your neighbors and what they do. Being that it’s a housewarming party, they may also bring gifts for your new home.
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Read more first time home buyer wisdom here.
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