As housing and community development discussions intensify nationwide, multifamily housing professional Jeff Herter is urging local leaders, business owners, and residents to shift their focus from immediate fixes to the long-term vitality of their neighborhoods. With over fifteen years of experience in multifamily properties, Herter argues that thriving communities are not the product of a single grand project or policy but rather the cumulative effect of small, consistent enhancements that foster connection and resilience.
“People often look for one thing that will transform a neighborhood,” Herter said. “In my experience, meaningful change usually comes from a series of smaller improvements that build on one another. It might be a local business opening its doors, a park being renovated, or homeowners investing in their properties. Those individual decisions create momentum.”
This perspective aligns with research from the National Association of Realtors, which identifies neighborhood quality, access to amenities, and nearby businesses as leading factors in residential choices. Communities that invest in walkability, public spaces, and local services often become more attractive to current and prospective residents alike.
Herter emphasizes that successful neighborhoods are defined not only by physical structures but also by the engagement of their residents. “When I visit a community, I pay attention to more than the property itself,” he said. “I notice whether local businesses are busy, whether people are spending time in parks, and whether residents seem connected to the neighborhood. Those are often signs that people believe in where they live.”
He also advises community leaders to adopt a patient approach to revitalization. “There is a tendency to look for immediate results,” Herter noted. “But healthy communities usually develop over years, not months. Progress often comes from making thoughtful decisions consistently instead of trying to solve everything at once.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, population shifts driven by employment, affordability, and quality of life are reshaping communities across the country. These changes underscore the importance of creating neighborhoods that offer robust local amenities, safe public spaces, and opportunities for residents to build lasting connections.
Herter believes every community possesses existing strengths that can serve as a foundation for future growth. “I think one of the biggest mistakes people make is focusing only on what needs to be fixed,” he said. “Every neighborhood has something worth building on. When communities recognize those strengths and continue investing in them, they create places where people want to stay.”
He also highlights the critical role of small businesses in neighborhood development. “Small businesses are often among the first to demonstrate confidence in a community,” Herter said. “When entrepreneurs choose to open a restaurant, a coffee shop, or another local business, they are making a long-term commitment to that neighborhood. Those investments help create places where people gather and build relationships.”
Rather than measuring success by rapid change, Herter advocates for steady progress that can be sustained over time. “The strongest neighborhoods I've visited weren't necessarily the newest or the most expensive,” he said. “They were places where people cared about their community and continued making small improvements year after year. That's what creates lasting success.”
Herter encourages residents to actively participate in their communities by supporting local businesses, attending neighborhood events, volunteering, and taking pride in their surroundings. He believes long-term neighborhood growth is a collective effort, requiring the ongoing contributions of many individuals rather than the isolated actions of a few.
