I was reading a blog post by my friend Cherimie Crane about an encounter with a buyer who made her so uncomfortable with his request
that she walked away rather than take a chance and I applaud her stand and decision. It got me to thinking that perhaps buyers and sellers, in general, are unaware that there are things we, as real estate professionals, can't do or we may endanger our livelihood.
Did you know that there are things that I can not tell you because they would be in violation of Fair Housing Laws and I could lose my license to sell real estate? Sometimes buyers want to know about schools, neighborhoods, neighbors, or a host of other things that I am prevented by law and, often, by my conscience to reveal.
I have buyers ask me things all the time that I can not answer. Sometimes the questions make me feel that I don't want to work with the buyer because they show prejudices that I can't abide. Sometimes they make me wish I could just blurt out the information and save time and coaching the buyer on where and how to get the information they seek. Sometimes I just want to say "Are you serious? Look at this neighborhood there is a reason such a nice house is soooo inexpensive." But I can't. I am not allowed to send you towards or away from any neighborhood. I will not risk my license and I sure as heck won't help if you are asking me to help you steer clear of any group or groups of people.
Of course I have opinions about schools but I can not give them to you. I always tell buyers that it is the parents that set the tone for education. I have seen good results from school many people think are undesirable and I have seen horrible results from the "Best" schools. If you are thinking of resale value remember that by the time you are ready to sell the school may be totally changed. For school district information I send my buyers to the NY State Report Card and tell them to speak with people in the district about the schools.
When asked about neighborhoods I am also unable to push you in one direction or the other. Look around the areas you are searching and decide for yourself. Talk to the police, the residents of the area, and visit it at different times of the day and night to make sure it is where you want to be. Please use common sense.
Finally, if you are trying to stay away from any people that you have prejudices against please find someone else to help you. I, like Cherimie, judge people on their actions and personalities as individuals and will not tolerate hatred in any form!
I hope this helps you to understand why sometimes, as a real estate professional, I am not able to answer your questions directly but have to provide you with the resources to find out the information on your own. It is not that I don't want to help (except in the case of personal biases that are discriminatory) it is that my hands are tied by laws that protect you from being discriminated against.
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Paddy...
Interestingly enough, I have seen this become less and less of a problem over my 25 years in real estate. People today are more tolerant, more open-minded, and better informed, and I for one, am glad.
I agree with Richard. I luckily have never had to deal with a situation like this. I generally just direct them to the police department in the area if they are asking about th neighborhood, but most of the time the police department can not offer any "advice" either.
Paddy you are correct in standing firm on these issues, I can direct one to a website about schools or crime statistics, but not much else. Rarely do I get questions about the etnicity of a neighborhood. I think people have learned to not ask some questions.
Paddy I read Cherimie's blog and was so impressed. I love yours here too. Folks like you and others here restore my faith in the honesty and goodness in people and this profession that I love. Hats off to all Richard and David glad to hear we are moving in the right direction!
Thank you for you comment Richard. I don't see much of outright discrimination either but it is there still. It is more of the what school is best? What neighborhood would you recommend in general? etc.
I know the police can't give too much info but you can look up crime statistics and talk to people David. Just not us.
I think you are right Gail, unfortunately the fears and hatred can rear it's ugly head when you least expect it.
Thank you Vanessa. One step at a time.
Paddy, Just a note as a consumer, even after being on AR I did not know you can't discuss certain things like school districts -- And I'd bet many buyers don't know either. I'd ask them to do their own homework, many aren't aware of these laws. Just my 2 cents.
We can not Steer in any direction towards or away from a location. Thanks for the comment and I hope that more people will read and understand our position when we say we are not allowed. Thanks for the comment Carole.
Good post, Paddy - It is so hard sometimes to draw the line on what we can and cannot say. Especially with tax and school issues. We spend so much time learning tax issues that effect the real estate trasnaction, but then we're not supposed to talk about it. It's tough. And schools... if you've spent 15 years ushering your kids through the local schools and been an involved parent, you have a pretty good ideas of what's going on. I must admit, I've interjected a few opinions here and there, but am always careful to realize we all have different values.
If we can remember to be a source of where to find information rather than being the source of the information it will serve us well Sally.