Knocking and asking the neighbours to find out about area

sequin123

Hi

We have just 2nd viewed a house which I like, for me having good neighbours and a nice close is top of my list (due to previous issues)

I am thinking about knocking on the neighbours houses to see what they think about the close, will they think I am a bit mad? Has anyone ever done this before, what did you ask? Also, particularly when we were out in the garden I heard a dog bark from the garden it backs onto, only a couple of times but now am worried.

Do you think its worth it, as certainly with vendors they always make out everyone is one big happy family!

Thanks

LisaLou1982

Hiya

I would definately say thats a good thing to do. You obviously like the house but its going to be one of the most expensive things you ever buy. You dont want to find out after you move in that the neighbours could be the worlds worst!!!

funkymonkey849

I knocked on neighbors doors and they were really pleased that we'd introduced ourselves. As long as you are friendly then it will be fine

Milliewilly

Yes I've done it, I also go into the local shop and post office to ask about the general area there.

Richard_Webster

Very important, though many people don't do it.

Usually potential neighbours are friendly and if you ask about the are and the property you are thinking of buying they give you bland replies, but you may go away feeling they are friendly and appear reasonable.

However, occasionally they will either:
(a) appear very unreasonable in their attitude (two rottweilers being held tightly by man answering door)(will you want to live next door to them?); or
(b) let slip a priceless nugget of information about the underpinning to the house you are buying done by some cowboys without the right certificates or about the man down the road who practices with his drumkit at 3am most days (the sellers did tell you about him didn't they?)

Also look over the back fence at the neighbouring gardens to see their state. you don't want an invasion of Japanese Knotweed or rats from a messy overgrown area, or to find a pile of scaffolding poles (part of neighbour's scaffolding business) which are collected regularly by a pick up truck at 6am!

Kaleidoscope1972

it cant do any harm..although take into account that the neighbours could be best buddies with the vendor so will say anything in order to held the vendor sell.

another thing thing to do is take a ride round the area at different times of the day..for example..a lovely quiet residential street...could be swarming with boy racers at night!..or you could discover that one of the neighbours plays loud music at certain times of the day...
we did this when we were buying 5 years ago..and thank goodness we did..we discovered that the neighbours teen sons had half the village round at night and cars were screaming up and down the road...we turned and ran!

Richard_Webster

it cant do any harm..although take into account that the neighbours could be best buddies with the vendor so will say anything in order to held the vendor sell.

another thing thing to do is take a ride round the area at different times of the day..for example..a lovely quiet residential street...could be swarming with boy racers at night!..or you could discover that one of the neighbours plays loud music at certain times of the day...
we did this when we were buying 5 years ago..and thank goodness we did..we discovered that the neighbours teen sons had half the village round at night and cars were screaming up and down the road...we turned and ran!

Quite!

Or the client of mine who was considering buying a a house in a peaceful and fairly remote country area. He went in the local pub and was told that a nearby farmer had motor cycle scrambling on his land every month or so!

G_M

Get up early and speak to the postie. He knows more than anyone!

david29dpo

Its a very wise move. Saved me a fortune when i found out about a local gang from the lady a few doors away.

DKLS

Good idea, also worth asking a local cop as well, when I was first considering moving to a new area, I found out which pub the cops drank in, It cost me a few pints in research but gave me invaluable information of where to buy and where not to.

Much more useful than the estate agents, whom when asked what an area was like, would say "I am not allowed to say"

sequin123

Hi

Just wanted to say thanks everyone for your suggestions, seems like I am not as mad/paranoid as I thought (or as I was told by boyfriend:))

Will feel a bit self conscious though as it is a cul de sac and the couple are retired so are in all day and will no doubt spot a 'new face' loitering in the close knocking on doors

Better to be safe than sorry, I never forget the day we moved into my current house 5 years ago and met the neighbour for the first time and she told me all about how they didnt get on with previous owners and how the police had to be called after an altercation with the 2 husbands, I burst in to tears on the spot as I had repeatedly asked the owners if any issues with neighbours and she said 'no they are lovely'.