One of the greatest ways to find out whether or not a house is right for you is to talk to the people who know the area the best: your potential neighbors! As great of an idea as this is, you’d be surprised at how many people don’t take advantage of the opportunity to get the scoop right from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. Not only will this give you the opportunity to speak with them one-on-one and learn who you would be living so close to, but you can also ask them questions that no one else would know the answers to. Plus because they do not have a personal stake in the home like the current homeowner does, they will be more likely to be completely honest, as well.
Here are a couple of simple topics to ask about that won’t make them feel like they’re being interrogated:
The House – If the neighbors have been around for a while, they may be able to clue you in about the history of the home and the property it’s on. Maybe the whole side of the street had an issue with tree roots damaging their water pipes or they may have noticed a drainage problem on the property. Learning more about the condition of the house may work in your favor when it comes to negotiating the price.
The Neighborhood – If you choose to move here, you’re going to want to know all about who and what is around you. If you have a dog, ask if there are any good parks or veterinarians in the area. If you have children, ask about the school districts and if there are any other kids in the neighborhood. Perhaps you just want a quiet place to relax and enjoy your retirement. Ask if there have ever been any noise complaints.
Once you’ve asked all of your questions, take a minute to really think about the experience you just had. Overall, would you say that it was a positive experience and that the neighbor was happy to help? After all, this could be someone that you will be living next to for quite some time; could you picture yourself forming a friendship with this person? If everything adds up, you may just find that making your decision becomes a whole lot easier!
(Source: Realtor.com)