Talking to future neighbours

tannoy_2

We have put an offer in for a flat. I've just read an article, a snippet being:

"The single biggest thing that's going to affect your quality of life in a new home is the behaviour of your neighbours. But it's the one thing you're utterly powerless over – so you have to ameliorate that problem to the biggest extent you can, while acknowledging that you're not really going to have a proper idea of what they're like until after you move in. While it's a drawback of property that it's impossible to "test run" it, Mead stresses that there are things you can do. "As part of your strategy you should go and spend time there on a Saturday afternoon or a Friday evening, just walking around the area. But I know from experience that less that 5 per cent of people will actually bother doing that kind of thing."

We're thinking of going one step further than walking around the area. I'm thinking of knocking on a couple of our future neighbours doors to ask them a few questions about the block of flats. We were thinking of asking the most recent buyer, according to the data available on mouseprice or zoopla, as he or she may be more understanding of some randoms coming knocking on the door.

Has anyone had experience of this, and if so, what was the response on the doorstep? There is a company that offers to do this for you (google checkthearea) but it's quite expensive and something one could probably do themselves if confident enough.

Any thoughts?

Gwhiz

I've not knocked on doors, but certainly talked to neighbours who were in their gardens. It's a great way to find out about the area.

Smallfries

I think its a good idea although i spoke to a man in his garden about the house i wanted next door to him and he told me how he wishes he hadnt moved there and how much trouble there is, noise and kids damaging cars etc

turned out his son was interested in buying it.... Son put an offer in sooner than he wanted as he worried we were going to but it all fell through as he didnt have enough money, spoke to another couple of neighbours and they said how lovely the street was and how nice it would be to have a young family living there.... I was sold!

missile

I had a prospective buyer buttonhole me in the street. As long as you are courteous I see no problem.

You can tell a lot about a neighbourhood by using your eyes and ears.

Doozergirl

I'd be perfectly happy if someone asked me about the area. It's amazing what you learn, talking to neighbours.

With flats it's particularly important as there are often political sorts of issues with managing agents etc and everyone knows the story except the people buying - it's things that solicitors can't check.

giddypenguin

The people who are interested in our house knocked on the doors of the surrounding people and asked them about the area. Our next door neighbours were quite excited that they got to meet their potential neighbours!

ilovecheese

Great idea to knock on doors, when me moved into one particular flat two years ago, we knocked on the doors of three of the flats, and it was nice to know our neighbours before we moved in!!!

I would have no problem with prospective tennants/buyers knocking on my door to ask me about the area.

jozbo

We did this quite a bit when looking at houses - in fact we knocked on lots of doors, when we went for the second viewing. In general it was reassuring.
It's essential to soak up some of the atmosphere of a place before committing - on different times of day, different weathers, etc. I'd also recommend asking local shopkeepers and businesses - why not?

amcluesent

Also a must to drop into the local boozer on a Saturday night to see the sort that's in the public and lounge bars.

Richard_Webster

Although you have to be careful and diplomatic in my view this should be matter of routine for all buyers of property.

Greatgimp

For anyone else not moving into a block of flats, if it's a village you could do an online search for the parish magazine, or pick one up at the local shop or even attend a parish council meeting to see what the main topics being discussed are- and linger afterwards to chat to the council members.