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 solutions to the long-term health of their neighborhoods. With over fifteen years of experience in the multifamily sector, Herter argues that thriving communities are seldom the product of a single major project or policy, but rather emerge from consistent, incremental improvements that enhance a neighborhood's appeal, connectivity, 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."
Research underscores the value of steady community investment. According to the National Association of Realtors, neighborhood quality, access to amenities, and nearby businesses remain 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 believes that a neighborhood's success hinges not only on its buildings but on the people who live and work there. "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 said. "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, communities across the country are experiencing population shifts as people relocate for employment, affordability, and quality of life. These changes heighten the importance of creating neighborhoods that offer robust local amenities, safe public spaces, and opportunities for residents to forge lasting connections.
Herter emphasizes that every community possesses 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 local businesses in shaping neighborhoods. "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, sustainable progress. "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."
