Welcome To The Neighborhood!

A wonderful neighborly welcome happened the other day. It was a nostalgic heart-warming moment that reminded me of my childhood. While attending a pre-closing inspection with my buyer clients at their new home, the neighbor came out and introduced herself and her two young boys. She gave my clients so much more than a few tips about the block. In those few moments of conversation I watched my clients transform from apprehensive to joyful and their concerned looks turn to smiles. I could not help but sense a wave of relief that seemed to come over them. What a wonderful welcome to the neighborhood! So simple.

Who knew that just a few minutes of time and compassion could make all the difference in the world. There are plenty of things to worry about when buying a new home, by human nature we also worry about our new neighbors. Will they be friendly? Will we get along? Which made me realize, why do we not see this more often? I remember as a youngster my Mother baked casseroles, cookies, cakes or pies to welcome new neighbors. She was a member of the Welcome Wagon after all. Keeping an eye out for newcomers the Welcome Wagon would offer to help unload heavy furniture during the move, not thinking twice about lending a helping hand. And in the first week neighbors took turns delivering home-baked goods, introduced their families and welcomed the new folks to the block. Times indeed have changed.

Few of us have time to even bake cookies anymore and few of us would feel comfortable letting strangers help us move in. We have become so protective of our privacy and fearful of opening our doors to strangers that maybe we are also missing out on some terrific neighborly friendships. One of the things that truly hit my nostalgia bone was that the new neighbor also made sure my clients knew that should they ever run out of milk or sugar or something they needed, to not hesitate to ask to borrow some. When is the last time you borrowed a cup of milk or sugar from your neighbor? When is the last time you felt comfortable asking? Oh dear, do we even know our neighbors? So in case you have any doubt, if you see a new neighbor, I am sure they would like to meet you. No baked goods necessary, just a friendly simple welcome to the neighborhood!