Hi JC -

One thing I will add to the other great answers - if you need crime rates, visit the police station. You can compare schools here: http://www.greatschools.net. But if you are really curious about the neighborhood (families, kids, pets, etc.), drive through it at different times of the day. Talk with the neighbors. Go to the local parks and talk with people there. The more people you talk with, the more you will find out the true opinions of the area - from the people that live there. As other agents have mentioned, those questions cannot legally be answered by your Buyers Agent. Good luck!

Nicole Sleeva
nsleeva@cbpreferred.com

Wed May 7 2008, 06:54

Jc, In addition to those points mentioned by those before me,

Most Buyer's Agency Contracts will also include a disclaimer that the agent and broker are not tax advisors, lawyers, etc. I suggest reading your Buyer's Contract carefully and asking this exact question of any agent you work with (or interview). It's better to be clear about what due diligence you are responsible for in advance.

Although Shelley indicates she will inform clients about a stigmatized property, that is not required in Michigan. I suggest clarifying this with any agent you work with in advance. I've had clients ask neighbors lots of questions.

Agents field lots of questions from clients. If you are still unclear about their answer, ask them to point you to a website. For instance, here is a website about Fair Housing to better explain why we cannot answer some questions or focus on people not things. http://www.fairhousinginmichigan.org/joomla/

Wed May 7 2008, 06:39

Basically, your buyer's agent can't talk about "people" at all. We can talk about the property 'till the cow come home (and often we do), but we can't discuss the demographics of the neighborhood, or the building.

We can't answer simple questions that you think we should be able to... for example... you have young children, and ask "are there other young families with young children in the building/area?" We can't legally answer that, because it would be a Fair Housing Violation.

We can't say, you'd love this neighborhood, because there are lots of other members of your faith that live here. Nor could we say "since you and your partner are gay, this is a largely gay community, you'll love it here".

Fair Housing recognizes the following as protected classes:

1. Race
2. Color
3. National Origin
4. Religion
5. Sex
6. Disability
7. Familial Status (families with children)
8. Age
9. Marital Status

While it's true, we often bend over backwards to avoid even the appearance of discussing a protected class, we can direct you to websites that would answer your questions, but the answer to anything regarding a protected class, cannot come from us.

Wed May 7 2008, 06:26

A buyer agent can tell you about the facts of the neighborhood that will help you make decisions. Examples include: new planned train station, approved road widening projects, beach restoration recently completed, public transportation schedules, among a long list of other pieces of information.

An agent may not steer toward or away from a neighborhood or home in any manner that would violate any state or federal fair housing laws. Most agents I know are deeply committed to fair housing. Because any comment may be subjectively interpreted, agents will generally be quite cautious, even overly so, to avoid any misunderstandings. The subject of schools and school ratings used to be openly discussed. Because agents were challenged about comments made about schools, and there was a concern that agents inappropriately used school ratings in violation of fair housing laws, a very large number of agents will now not provide any school rating data, or opinions on schools. Instead, companies direct their agents to point to third party sources for this data.

I deeply support fair housing for all, but find it a disservice to the public that, because of the high costs of legal defense, we have agents afraid to say, “xyz school has a great science program.”

If you ask agents questions which they believe they should not directly answer, the good agents will have a list of sources for you to address the inquiry.

Any factual question about a property can be answered, from type of wiring and plumbing to the age of the roof….to the extent the information can be obtained. It is your agent’s job to find the answers, if these are available.

You can ask your agent any question. Just be understanding when an agent says, “Here is where you can get that answer, and points you to a site for crimes stats, or school ratings.”

Deborah Madey - Broker
Peninsula Realty Group, New Jersey

Wed May 7 2008, 05:57

JC,

You can ask them anything that you would like.

The questions that they can answer, they will (or should). The questions that they can't, they won't.

There is a concept in real estate called STEERING. If your Buyer's agent tells you that the crime in a neighborhood is high, or that the schools are sub-standard, They are (intentionally or not) STEERING the direction of your purchase. What is their expertise in crime and knowledge of that school districts curriculum and staff? In the most technical of terms, their answer is subjective.

They are not allowed to do this and can be disciplined severely for doing so.

Wed May 7 2008, 05:30

Jc,

Questions regarding ethnicity of a neighborhood, crime and how well the schools perform are all questions that I defer to the local chamber of commerce or local website. However questions regarding the home should be answered thoroughly (if your agent knows the answers). Those regarding the condition of the property can be found on the seller's disclosure.

Another item that I will share (if known) is if the property is stigmatized.

Hope this helps.

Shelley Kefauver

Wed May 7 2008, 05:22