Buyer Question: Can We Ask About The Neighbours?
Buyer Question: Can We Ask About The Neighbours?
So, you’ve found a house that ticks all the boxes: close to work, the perfect layout, a lovely yard. But wait a minute - what about the neighbours? Can you actually ask what they’re like before making an offer?
Before I answer, let me tell you about my own experiences with neighbours. When we first bought our house back in 2017, I honestly felt like we had won the neighbour lottery. The couple to the left of us was friendly, welcoming, and had been in their house for decades. We also quickly became friends with the family across the street when our dog Murphy (we only had the one at the time) attached himself to their youngest boy. It was the perfect setup, and I felt like we couldn’t have asked for better neighbours.
It wasn’t until a few years after we moved in that things started to change. You see, the house to the right of ours was initially occupied by the past owners, a young couple who kept to themselves. But then they had a baby, moved into a larger house, and rented out the house next to ours - over the last 5 years, that house has turned over with various renters, new owners, and then new tenants again. It really has been a rotating wheel of different people over there… Some of the neighbours were fantastic - friendly, quiet, and considerate. Others, not so much... It quickly became clear to me that neighbours can change, dynamics can shift unexpectedly, and there’s nothing that you can do about it.
So now let’s get back to the question at hand: Can you ask about the neighbours before you buy a house? Well the short answer is, yes, you can ask the question - and the truth is that I often do ask on behalf of my buyers, in order to get a feel for the general neighbourhood vibes. But my experience as both a homeowner and an agent has taught me that you shouldn’t put too much stock in the answer, because even if the neighbours turn out to be everything that you’d hoped for, things can change in an instant. I mean, who’s to say that the house next door won’t be put up for sale 3 months after you move in? The reality is that you have no control over who comes and who goes in the surrounding homes.
Also, don’t forget that the current owners want to sell you their house. So, if you ask them what the neighbours are like, do you really think they are going to put them on blast (even if they should)? No. But there are ways to gain some insight into the neighbours - and more importantly, the neighbourhood itself - without having to rely on what the sellers or their agent has to say:
Stroll through the Neighbourhood: If you can, walk around the block. Maybe you’ll see kids playing ball hockey or riding their bikes. And don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with people - a friendly chat can give you valuable insights.
Visit at Different Times: Make a few visits to the area at different times of day and on different days of the week. This can help you get a feel for noise levels, activity, and overall ambiance.
Search Online Community Groups: Check out online community groups or social media pages for the area. You’ll find real talk about the neighbourhood - both the good and the not-so-good.
So my best advice is that while it’s natural to be curious about your future neighbours, don’t let it overshadow the bigger picture. A great house in a great community should be your top priority. Next door neighbours will come and go, but if you trust the process and focus on what truly matters, you will find the home that’s right for you.
