Buying a new house is one of the most exciting things that you can do, from beginning to end it is a process that I have always loved. At first there is the anticipation of searching for your perfect home, then there is the negotiation stage and then finally you get your keys. After this comes the excitement of designing and putting furniture in your house to make it into a home, my favorite part.

There is one aspect of moving into a new home that not everyone enjoys however and that is meeting their new neighbors. The hope is that you have friendly neighbors with whom you can strike up a bond, something that makes everyones lives easier. In spite of this I have friends who have had ongoing battles with their neighbors, who’ve had to contact a solicitor to settle a boundary dispute or even worse. If you have recently moved or are just about to then here are some tips of avoiding such problems and getting on with your neighbors.

Start on The Front Foot

Don’t be a shrinking violet when it comes to introducing yourselves to your neighbors, knock on their door or try to catch them when they arrive home to formally introduce yourself. Whilst you are telling them who you are, it is important that you invite them to your home for a drink, this may be awkward at first but you’ll soon cut the ice and hopefully have a better relationship for it.

Be Empathetic

If a neighbor has a complaint with you, try not to become defensive straight away, even if you are working within the rules of the law, try to understand from their point of view. Many conflicts between neighbors get started when one has a small problem with the other, the other refuses to change and the whole thing becomes escalated in no time. Be empathetic to your neighbor if they are making  reasonable request.

Helping Hand

Offering a helping hand to your neighbor can really go a long way in strengthening your relationship with them. This does not have to be a grand gesture, simple things like helping with the shopping or offering to take drop their kids off with yours at the school. These gestures are too few and far between in the World today and you can really help to create a better living situation if you make the first step.

Be Considerate

The key to a good neighbor-neighbor relationship is just about being considerate to one another. If you are having a party, consider the noise levels, try not to leave mess on the yard or park in a position which could cause your neighbor problems. At the root of a health relationship is simple respect for each other’s property and space, if you have this then it is likely that your neighbor will be reciprocal in their respect and you shouldn’t have any problems at all.