I just moved from that neighborhood a couple of years ago. It was fine. The homes are reasonably priced and the schools are great. We moved becuase we needed more space to accomodate our growing family. And, we only moved around the corner to a single so that we could keep our children in the same schools.

Steve,
I sincerely apologize if I'm hijacking your thread, but I think this is a really fabulous discussion that Joe has started.

What we're actually talking about here is REALTORS violating Fair Housing laws, and "steering" (ie - buy here, not there...).

Here are two really good articles from Realtor.org that address this issue for REALTORS:

Explanation of Fair Housing Laws
http://www.realtor.org/toolkits/prop16

Steps REALTORS can take to avoid Illegal Steering:
http://www.realtor.org/rmolaw_and_ethics/articles/2009/0904_…

Joe, thanks for the discussion. I'm going to blog about this soon!

Joe,
REALTORS are not allowed to comment on neighborhoods, school districts, etc. The best that we can do is to direct people to websites, police stations, etc. Quite honestly, I'd rather NOT comment on something if I can't offer anything of value, which I can't in this discussion, which is why I abstained from commenting.

Is this inability frustrating to Realtors? Of course. However, my opinion of "safe" and "nice" isn't really important in a transaction - the Buyers opinion of "safe" and "nice" is. As frustrating as it is not to be able to give my opinion ('cause trust me, I ALWAYS have an opinion) I do understand the reasoning behind the constraints. Sometimes, in moments of humbleness, I can admit that Buyers have the right to their own opinions about their own house ;)

Just an FYI for anyone reading this thread : Levittown (which Joe mentions below) is comprised of three different municipalities; Bristol Township, Middletown Township, and Falls Township. When looking at homes in those areas, make sure to contact the appropriate police department for information. I actually DID have a conversation with a Falls Township officer after one of my flip homes was vandalized. He spoke with me very candidly about the type/frequency of crime in the neighborhood.

Marcie Purcell gave you really good advise. We as realtors can not give opion,s just facts and I hope Joe the builder is not a realtor because of answers like his he won'r be for long, good luck

Steve,
My suggestion is to drive thru the neighborhoods you are interested in at different times of the day and evening. You will get a feel for what goes on and how the properties are taking care of by owners and landlords. Some of these properties are duplexs so there is a higher rate of tenant occupied homes. A good thing to do is check with the local police departments and see how often they are called to the areas you are looking in.

Marcie Purcell, Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Direct: 215-534-2539
Office: 215-348-0000
marciepurcell@yahoo.com
http://www.purcellsellshomes.com
http://www.homesinhaycock.com