As discussions about housing and community development intensify across the United States, multifamily housing professional Jeff Herter is calling on local leaders, business owners, and residents to shift focus from short-term solutions to enduring neighborhood vitality. With over fifteen years of experience in multifamily properties, Herter argues that thriving communities are not the product of a single major project or policy but rather a series of deliberate, incremental enhancements that together 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 is supported by data from the National Association of Realtors, which identifies neighborhood quality, access to amenities, and nearby businesses as leading factors in residential choices. Communities that prioritize walkability, public spaces, and local services often become more attractive to both current and prospective residents, reinforcing the value of steady investment.
Herter, who is Principal of Providence Real Properties, LLC and based in Rye, New Hampshire, emphasizes that successful neighborhoods are defined by more than their physical structures. “When I visit a community, I pay attention to more than the property itself,” he noted. “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, population shifts due to employment, affordability, and quality of life are reshaping communities nationwide. These trends underscore the importance of creating neighborhoods that provide robust local amenities, safe public spaces, and opportunities for lasting social connections.
Herter believes every community possesses strengths that can serve as a foundation for 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.”
Small businesses play a pivotal role in this process. “Small businesses are often among the first to demonstrate confidence in a community,” Herter explained. “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.”
Herter encourages residents to actively participate by supporting locally owned businesses, attending neighborhood events, volunteering with community organizations, and taking pride in their surroundings. He emphasizes that long-term growth is a collective effort, requiring positive contributions from many individuals over time.
