If you’re old enough to remember the TV show Bewitched, you probably remember the nosy neighbor Mrs. Kravitz. She was always spying on her neighbor from behind her curtain. While her character provided a lot of comic relief and was chided by her husband for doing so, the “Mrs. Kravitz” of the world can turn out to be a valuable community asset. You can’t build that kind of vigilance with brick, concrete, or even pretty landscaping. We’re not suggesting you should carry binoculars with you everywhere you go, but it is handy when neighbors notice when a package has been sitting on a porch for days, or when a neighbor usually walks their dog, or when the garage door has

Before you get excited about your next home improvement—a new kitchen, a better driveway, a snazzy new roof, or maybe the outdoor space you’ve been imagining for years—know that while you’re getting a new space, your neighbors, however, get the noise, the trucks, and the dust. They’re also undoubtedly asking the daily question of “How long is this going to last?” That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t improve your home. Strong neighborhoods are made up of people who take care of their properties, invest in their homes, and keep the community looking good. But a little thoughtfulness before the work begins can make a big difference in how your project is perceived by the people around you. Plus, with many people