A REALTOR can be a wealth of knowledge to a prospective buyer.
REALTORS build relationships with customers and often buyers feel as if they can talk to them about anything.
Due to fair housing laws there are many questions that REALTORS cannot answer.
For example REALTORS cannot comment on-
- demographic statistics, such as the cultural make up of a neighborhood.
- sex offenders in a neighborhood.
- crime statistics in a neighborhood.
REALTORS are forbidden from steering a buyer to or away from a specific area.
In our area of Brevard County Florida we have seen such a population boom that our school districts and 
boundary maps have continually changed over the last several years. So, when a buyer moves to a specified area, we are uncertain as to whether their home will be included in their school district of choice the following year. Thus, we have been informed not to discuss school districts. We refer the buyer to the Brevard Public School System Website, in our area. The site is full of statistical data on all the schools in our area.
Many counties have their own school system websites. There are even websites available that will tell which addresses are within a given school district. You can find them on my website.
REALTORS are in a position to refer their customer to the necessary websites to help them find the information that may help them make a decision to suit both their wants and their needs. One such website is City Data. It is packed full of statistical data on any given area. Crime stats for an area can be found here, also.
A REALTOR can refer a client to the National Sex Offender Registry Website for sex offenders in an area.
So, the next time a buyer asks a REALTOR a question that they are unable to answer, remember, there is an abundance of excellent information available online today.
that for you
Thanks for the reminder. I see a lot of people making comments on issues that they shouldn't...
Sandy - I always encourage our agents to refer clients to resources such as those you mentioned here. Good stuff - can't be too careful these days!
Sandy - This is an excellent explanation of why we cannot answer some seemingly simple questions for our clients. Hopefully, your links will help Brevard county buyers find the information on their own.
Agents neet to keep this in mind when writing remarks and ad copy as well for their listings.
Hi Michael, You're welcome! So do I. Sometimes it's really scary... Enjoy the rest of your week!
Interesting stuff
Hi Jason, There are so many useful websites available today. Good reminders to your agents. No use in stepping out of bounds and allowing someone to get in trouble for something that they shouldn't have said. Thanks!
Excellent advice and resources, thanks very much:)
Hi Erik. So many times I see on some of the online forums REALTORS answering questions from buyers that they shouldn't be. On the other hand, when they cannot answer, I don't know if the buyers really understand why they can't answer. Hope this helps. Thanks!
Hi Robert, Thanks, always a good reminder for us to stay in check.
Yes, the urge to know every answer must be stifled.
Hi Rich, How are you today? Very good point! We must be aware of it in everything that we do! Thank you for great tip! Hope all is well!
Hi DJ, Thanks for the kudos. Just something for us to keep at the forefront of our minds. Have a great day!
Aloha Sandy . . . Thanks for your post. Good Information . . . . Hawaii and Florida have many similarities. Hey, what's the feeling in your market at this time. Are most of your Buyers "bottom-Feeders?" That's bhow it is here on Kauai. Unfortunately Sellers are still rather obstinate about their over-priced homes. Good Luck and Have a good week-end.
Best
Jim
Not being able to discuss schoold districts seems like a bit of an impediment. I use it to brag about a property when the school district is highly rated. Everything is so PC!
Hi Andy, I think questions are always good, it helps the buyer make a more informed decision. However, we must remember which questions we are allowed to answer, without stepping into quicksand!
Hi James, You know, I've never been to Hawaii before. I would love to travel there sometime. I hear that it is breathtakingly beautiful! The majority of buyers that our association statistics are indicating are in the market right now are the under $200,000 crowd. There are many, many first time homebuyers using FHA assistance to get in to properties. The over $200,000 market has slowed a bit. We too, are still seeing sellers holding out for those 2005 prices, which are a thing of the past. Take care and enjoy!
Hi Rebecca, How are you today? I agree with you completely. It is incredibly difficult not being able to discuss school districts. I have lived here since 1975 and attended middle school and high school here. I have 2 teenage daughters that attend an incredible college prep school here - I love it. However, as you know often times people buy to be within a specific school district. Our population was growing too quickly for the schools to keep up. So kids were being shifted all over the place. So districts had to keep changing. Buyers bought thinking their kids were going to a specific school, only to find that the boundary maps soon changed. Many were not happy. Thus, many of us have been advised, to tell buyers to contact the school board directly and have them quote the school districts. Another one of those situations - keep your mouth shut, so as not to insert foot. What are you gonna do? Take care of yourself!
I think our need to be helpful has the potential to open us up for liability. Being "old school", I frequently pine for the simpler life before computers took over, however, this is one area where they can save our behinds, if we just remember to let our buyers find those answers for themselves.
Hi Jerry, I couldn't agree with you more. My broker has been in the business for nearly 50 years and he tells me all the time that the business has just gotten out of control. Back in the old days he said that people sold real estate on a handshake. Yes, our buyers must find their own answers. And yes, we must cover our behinds (unfortunately). Our job is bring a buyer and a seller together in a transaction. Thanks for the reminder!
Very good advice. As soon as a realtor takes on the responsibility of answering a question, out of their area of expertise, they also take on liability issues. Best, always, to refer a client to "the expert" in that area, and get their questions answered that way.
Hi Li, How are you today? I agree with you - REALTORS take on liability issues when answering questions out of our area of expertise - excellent point! Today there are so many things we must be careful to not get ourselves in a pinch. Customers come to us for our expertise, however we must know when to keep our mouths shut. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Sandy well thought out information. So many people really never consider the Fair Housing Act when they start shooting off their mouth. They want to be thought of as an expert but all they are doing is making themselves a target. Great job!
How are you today. Fred? I know, you're right. I often wonder when, for some, it's going to come back and bite them in the behind. So many things are said, that probably shouldn't be. Unfortunately, we can't be too careful today in what we say or do. Thanks and have a wonderful weekend!
Sandy, what a great reminder of the Fair Housings laws. Lots of new agents out there that are watching those who are seasoned and may think it is okay to violate these laws. We do have testors that only are paid if we break the law.
Hi Lyvia, It is a good reminder to all of us to be careful what we discuss with our customers. I really did not know that there are testors out there - I suppose that makes sense though. Today you just can't be too cautious! Thanks for the info!
Great post. Taking Real Estate classes and it's all about service and when in doubt what you can say, refer to a website is the best answer.
Hi Nancy, Our contining education classes are instrumental in reminding us of what we can and can't say. Many times our best course of action is to refer a client to the internet. Thanks for the comment and have a great weekend!
Sandy ... thanks for this blog article about Fair Housing. Best wishes. Harrison
Hi Harrrison, You're welcome. I think it's a good reminder to all of us! Thanks have great weekend!