I tried to figure out clean templates when I made my current hood but to no avail. This was about three years ago. I'm thinking of starting a second hood in case the one I have gets corrupted (and it likely will at some point, I have done at least 2 VBTs) but I was wondering if I can still use a fresh template for a second hood while the first hood still exists. Hopefully, I can figure out custom templates this time.

If you want to get rid of all the bin sims that show up in every hood then get Jawusa clean and empty stealth hoods http://modthesims.info/download.php?t=520751

If you want to get rid of the Pleasantview townies that show up in ever hood you make then get Jawusa clean and empty Pleasantview http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=544800

Once these are installed in the right place then when you make a new hood there will be 0 sims in it to start.

Or you can just disable the stealth hoods by renaming the template folders in the installation files.

Disabling or installing empties, whichever you're comfortable with, will not affect any existing neighborhoods. And if you want all or some of the default townies or playables, you can re-enable or restore the stealth hoods on a one-time basis, just long enough to make the hood you want them to be in.

I want to do whatever will help me avoid hood corruption. I also would love to not have Pleasantview townies if I create a new hood, since I'm pretty sure I have Pleasantview townies in my current hood. So I guess the renaming option would work.