Before closing on a house, it’s important to find out as much about it as you can. That’s why scheduling an inspection is typically among the first things buyers do after having their offer accepted. A buyer has to be sure the house is structurally sound and has no major issues. But while you can know a lot about a home’s structure and mechanical systems before committing to it, you can’t always know what the neighbors are like and how well you’ll get along with them – and sometimes that can be just as important as the structure and mechanical systems. A majority of Americans say good neighbors are a priority. In fact, according to one recent survey, a majority of Americans rate their prospective neighbors as a “high” or “very high” priority when choosing a place to live. The survey found 60 percent said living in a neighborly community with close-knit connections was important to them. Why are neighbors so important? Well, the survey found 65 percent of respondents said they feel they can count on their neighbors for help when needed. (source)