Don’t Ask Your Agent That
Working with a buyer’s agent can be a huge asset, they’re a great resource when locating your perfect dream home. A buyer’s agent can answer countless questions to provide facts about the home, the market itself and the mortgage process. A buyers agent can help you save time AND they may even help you save money!
While you can rely on their expert knowledge for most matters, there are a few questions you should not expect your agent to answer. Now, the reason for this isn’t because your agent doesn’t know or can’t find the answers. Raising questions about some topics might not yield fruitful answers so let’s explore why and how to find those answers on your own!
The sale and purchase of a home is one of the most significant events that most people will experience in their lifetime. As your real estate agent, we are the go-to for all the advice you, as our client, need during the house-hunting process. However, there are a few questions where your real estate agent will offer the most conservative answer to avoid violating the Fair Housing Act, which is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in the sale or rental of housing. There are also state laws to abide by as well. Fair Housing Laws are put into place to prevent discrimination in the real estate industry. Protected classes include – Familial Status, Race, Ethnicity, Sex, Handicap, Color, Orientation/Gender, Religion, National Origin and Marital Status. Please understand, these are LAWS, not guidelines to decide to or not to go by. An agent can face fines and other penalties for violations.
Here are some examples of those seemingly innocent yet taboo questions you shouldn’t be asking your agent.
What type of people live here?
A real estate agent cannot legally profile the “type” of person who lives in an area or building. This is a form of stereotyping and is what we call steering. For instance, I can never say to you many families or very few singles live here. Rather, as your agent I would encourage you to drive the neighborhood or if it’s a condo building, spend some time in the lobby to get a sense of your own if this would be the best place for you to live. Also, to learn more about the make up of a community, visit the U.S. Census Bureau’s website.
Is this a family-friendly neighborhood?
Speaking of families, as we learned earlier familial status is a protected class under the Federal Fair Housing Act. Buyers and sellers, quite frankly, are often surprised to learn that their real estate agent cannot answer the question: “Do families with children live in this apartment building?” or “Can I be sure my home is sold to a family?”. Coming from your agent, the answer is the same as we discussed in question one. In addition, you can ask about a neighborhood’s amenities, which may include a children’s playground.
Is this a safe neighborhood?
What makes one feel unsafe or comfortable is very different than what it might be for another. It is impossible for an agent to determine what the gauge is on someone’s comfort level. Again, spend some time in the neighborhood and come to your own conclusion. Another resource an agent will recommend is the nearest police precinct and its website. Visit local police departments or search online for crime reports instead.
How are the schools in this neighborhood?
That’s a loaded question for your agent. What does “good” mean to you? Test scores? Access to a library? Rankings of sports teams? Year-round calendar or traditional calendar? Magnet or Charter? Everyone has different standards of what is important to them and that’s usually different than your agent. If you want to know about the schools in the area, define what “good” means to you and then do some research. Thankfully there are various websites that are great resources for ranking schools in your area.
Can you show me a house where more people like me are?
Sometimes, clients may want to live near others that have a similar background, however, as an agent we are unable to influence your decision-making process. Remember, as a real estate agent we have to be color blind and neutral. Similar to previous questions we have discussed, check the census and demographic websites. Another way to ascertain if a neighborhood will be a good environment for you is to visit local playgrounds, gyms, restaurants, community centers and libraries. Take a look at their online and social media presence. What type of amenities and social events does the community offer?
We know buying a new home is a big step and buying a house in a new area can be tricky. But, with your own research in exploring the different areas of your communities and partnering with a real estate agent, like us at The Old Mill Group, to discover the facts about a property itself and guide you in the process, you’ll be that much closer to finding the perfect home – and neighborhood you’ll love.
If you are ready to purchase a home and need an agent, be sure to contact us at The Old Mill Group and we’ll guide you along every step of the way.
Do NOT Ask Your REALTOR THOSE Questions!
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