Things Your Agent Can't Tell You
Homes for sale listings offer you good information about the physical attributes of each house. But before you purchase a home you want to know more. You're interested in knowing about the neighborhood and about the non-physical elements of the house.But, because Realtors are bound by certain laws and regulations, they cannot tell you everything you want and need to know.
At the top of the list is information about other people in the neighborhood. Realtors are forbidden from engaging in a practice called "steering," which would direct you to, or away from, neighborhoods populated by certain ethnic groups, age groups, or social groups. If this matters to you, you'll have to do your own investigation.
You can drive around the neighborhood on weekends or at the time of day when people are returning from work. You can also knock on doors and talk to neighbors. What you can't do is expect your Realtor to give you this information, because they cannot.
You will, of course, get a good idea about the people by seeing how they maintain their homes and their yards. This doesn't necessarily reflect race or age, but it does reflect their attitudes and what they will expect from you when you become part of their neighborhood.
If you prefer a natural, or relaxed, landscape and their yards are groomed to perfection, you might find yourself the target of neighborhood disdain. Conversely, if you enjoy a beautiful yard and the neighbors prefer junk cars, you won't be very happy. So do look around. Take a different route to get there than your Realtor did when showing you the house… you may find out a lot about the neighbors!
It's a good idea to visit the neighborhood during the evening as well as daytime hours. If you have children who will be anxious to make new friends, you can find out if there are children in their age group. If you're a senior who prefers peace and quiet, you'll find out if anyone nearby loves to play rock music at maximum decibels.
Don't be afraid to knock on doors. Get acquainted with the people next door to the home for sale. If you purchase the house they'll be a part of your life, so find out if they're pleasant before you find yourself sharing the street.
Realtors are also forbidden from offering you information with regard to registered sex offenders who may be residing in the neighborhood. This is a tricky one… they can tell you if you ask, but only if the seller gives permission. The good news is that now there are web sites where you can type in an address and get that information.
You may also want to know about the history of events in each house for sale. You may be one who is not concerned, but some people feel very uneasy in a home where there has been a death - especially a suicide. You may also have an aversion to living in a home where someone has had certain diseases or where a violent crime has taken place.
If you ask about this history your Realtor will have to ask the sellers for permission to tell you. Some sellers will be forthcoming and others will not. If the sellers refuse to give permission, that is your sign that something did happen.
At that point you can either move on to a different house, or continue your investigation. We all know gossip is an evil thing… but sometimes it is your only avenue to information that matters to you. Start asking questions of the neighbors or the waitress at a local coffee shop. Just remember - when the information comes through the gossip channel it will probably be overblown!
No matter how beautiful or suitable the house, if you will be uncomfortable, annoyed, or constantly worried… walk away from it. There are other homes for sale.
Click here to contact me if you have any questions.
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