A actual estate expert explains why and how you should assess your potential neighbors ' behavior before purchasing a home .

Does location still weigh most ? Should you remodel your home to fit your tastes or for resale value ? Are starter homes still a thing ? We all have plenty of interrogation about the ever - exchange world of veridical demesne . In ourAsk an Agentseries , we ’re partnering with expert atBetter Homes and Gardens Real Estateto answer your biggest questions about finding , purchasing , and selling a base .

A house is only one part of a everyday living experience — the railyard , schoolhouse district , distance from work , and neighbors all factor intoa menage - buying decision . While most of these element can be experience while walking through the home or seen on report , neighbour can be irregular . Do they have a dog that skin all night ? Are they difficult to get along with ? Do they drive recklessly through the vicinity ? have a go at it these thingsbefore buy a homewill help you be intimate exactly what to carry before it ’s too late .

Ben Fox headshot

Credit:Ben Fox

Ben Fox

For this instalment ofAsk an Agent , we spoke with Ben Fox of the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Journey to see how to vet potential neighbors before purchase a home .

Ben Foxis the managing factor and co - owner of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Journey , base in Bentonville , Arkansas .

Ask an Agent: How Do I Vet My Neighbors?

I always boost potential buyers to go natter the region , and not just go one time when you’retouring the family — go multiple times . Between dogs barking and light and school dealings , you will want to go at different times of the 24-hour interval . Go see what chance in the forenoon , midday , Benjamin Rush hour , and in the evening . Look at other factor , too , such as events in the neighbourhood , nearby patronage , and traffic . If you have meter , look during the week and the weekend .

When you ’re in the neighborhood , walk around the area and talk to the nearby homeowners . demand them what they like about the region , what they do n’t like , and what event happen on a regular basis — you’ll find out a lot . you may also check out on-line social media groups . If you have to be a phallus , necessitate the admin of the grouping if you could connect for a little bit to learn more about the area and the hoi polloi that live there .

Each municipality will have multiple resource , like demographic information and crime data . Check with your local municipality bureau or website to see what resources they bid to secernate you more about the neighborhood and its occupants . Your veridical the three estates professional can help you find these resources well . At the conclusion of the day , you have to enquire yourself if any negatives about your potential neighbour are worth not moving forrad with the leverage . press the pros and cons and adjudicate what your tolerance is .

This interview has been edited for duration and clarity .