Boxes to check when home-buying: safe streets, good floor plan, strong school district and … a promise to be nice?

At Silverwood, a new large-scale development in the High Desert city of Hesperia, California, buyers must sign a kindness pledge to their neighbors-to-be.

The 9,000-acre project –– where starter homes can go for just north of $400,000 –– has sold 225 units to date, with some 15,000 more in the offing long term.

The big draw? The price, of course, and the recreation of nearby mountains, but also the culture of warmth (and we don’t mean the desert heat).

The kindness pledge, which buyers sign at the close of escrow, recommends listening, avoiding divisive words or actions, treating others with empathy and respect, and building a supportive community.

All good stuff. 

In an era when many neighbors avoid or aggravate one another –– to say nothing of a broader culture soaked with political tension and petty squabbles –– a kindness-based community creed does sound enticing.

While the pledge is not enforceable, the builder aims to set a standard and shape conduct and expectations, said Silverwood general manager John Ohanian.

Those who buy in love it, and why wouldn’t they?

Yes, Hesperia’s in the middle of nowhere in the Mojave Desert. (Hence the affordable homes.)

Some might work in nearby Victorville, a small-ish city, but for many, it’s a long commute to job hubs in San Bernardino, Fontana and Ontario.

And yes, the kindness pledge might have been part marketing ploy. (See? It’s getting attention.)

But also yes: The concept is très cool.

So good for Silverwood.

Kindness is something that’s free and easy and makes lives better.

It’s like rich ice cream on a hot (desert) day: We need more of it in the world.