Exactly what you did. I have a buyer from Canada who keeps asking me the same thing even though I told her I refrain from quoting crime statistics and referred her to several sites where she could check it on her own. I would not want her to buy in a crime infested area but the statistics on the websites tell the story and it is up to her to interpret. And crime can go anywhere. I feel like I am doing my job by telling her where to look and she can decide. I do want to follow fair housing practices.

Rod,

I give them my opinion as to the safety of certain areas. I also qualify that with the fact that it's only my opinion, and if they want more statistical information, to contact the local police department. I find that clients appreciate the insight especially if they are not from out of town and not familiar. I feel it shows that I am not trying to sell them for the sake of making a sale, but get them into a home that works for them. This is even more important if you are dealing with a single female who may be more at risk in certain areas.

especially if they are not from out of town..........oops....shouild say "if they are from out of town".............Gotta proof read better...

I just went to a class on diversity and this same question was asked, you need to direct them to either the police station or the internet to find their own statistics.  I just tell them, I do not live in this particular area and that I do not have those stats for you.  

As Realtors, we HAVE to treat every neighborhood equally.  You can't give them your opinion of what the neghborhood is, you need to direct them to the resources that can.

My answer always is:  Due to fair housing laws, as a Realtor, I have to treat every neighborhood the same, so I can not tell you this neighborhood is better than that, or vice versa.  They always understand.  I tell them to feel free to call the local police, and they would be ahppy to answer your questions.  

By doing otherwise, you could end up in a heap of trouble giving your opinions of neighborhoods!!

Alan you better be careful....you could be violating fair housing laws!

Really, Becky (in my whiney voice)?  

But I have reasoned out that talking about crime in certain neighborhoods was not targeted at a specific demographic (race, color, creed, etc.) but at a statistical fact that there are areas that have more crime in them than others.  When you drive through a neighborhood that was on the news last night for a drive by shooting and there are gang signs spraypainted on all of the fence panels, and a client asks you if this area is safe for their daughter that is about to start college, I would be hard pressed not to answer that there is gang activity in the area.  I have lived in OKC most of my life so I know most parts of town and who lives where and where the "safer" neighborhoods are.  I do tell my clients that I can not and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, etc. and I don't.  Though, honestly I have wondered if I was flirting with a line.  I will usually tell them to check my website for crimetracker statistics, but if it is in a really bad neighborhood, I have been known to let them know that there is a high crime activity level there.  

This is a great topic!

Here is just one of many articles you can read

http://realestate.msn.com/Buying/Article_mw.aspx?cp-documentid=4220787&GT1=9226

Give them the crime stats website from your local police department. Never ever give your opinion! You are asking for a lawsuit!

Todd

eNeighborhoods has crime stats in their neighborhood reports which can give your prospective an idea of the likelihood of being a crime victim.

There are so many data resources readily available, it's better to CYA and let the stats do the talking.

The govt does have 'mystery shoppers' who will test us . . . and FH violations are very serious and costly for licensees.

I will direct customers to contact the local police precent since they have the most current data on that particular community. I will also give them a website which contains that type of data so the can make their own interpertation and an informed decision before making the purchase. Most buyers in todays market already have the info before deciding on a community to live in.

I certainly don't give my personal opinion. Just refer them to websites and other resources where they can do the research for themselves.

When I hear "how's the area?" my stock reply is:  "You know, the fastest way to seperate a Realtor from thier license is to have them comment on the neighborhood.  I suggest you come by different times of the day/week and make up your own mind.  It would not be a bad idea to check with the local police."  They'll get your drift.

Crimes seem to happen in all kinds of areas but "low quality areas" semm to have more than their share. This is usually pretty well known by locals reclocating but people from out of town deserve better. Quite often people get onto "low quality areas" because without a doubt they are lower in price and seem to be more in line with their thinking. I won't use scare tactics but heck if the newspaper can tell where the drive-by shooting last night was, I think I can.

My city is in a tremendous upswing (prices have about tripled over the past 3 years) and there are more murders than any other city in Canada and most of the U.S. per 100,000 (The Dark Side of the Boom!)... this is very scary stuff and I think you owe a stranger to your area (and client) a lot more service than directing them to a web site! If their price range precludes them to a low quality area... explain! Again... qualify, quallify, qualify!

Regards,

Anastasia

One of the first things I learned in this business is to not offer your personal opinion.  My definition of "safe" may not be the same as the Buyer's.  Same with "is this a quiet neighborhood?"  By who's definition?

Every town has crime. I've recommended that they read the police log in the local paper to get a sense of what kind of crimes and if they have any questions, they can call the police and ask what reports have been filed for a particular neighborhood.  I've done this in the past with excellent results.

Becky - Great article  - I read that the other day but you beat me to posting it.

Cathy - You are absolutely correct - "Beauty" is in the eye of the beholder.

Candice - Yes, there are "mystery shoppers", just ask the agents in my area from a big name broker who were busted a couple years ago.

Alan - Although it sounds like the right thing to do for an out-of-town buyer, you are are playing with fire especially by admitting that on a public forum.  When I am asked similiar questions, I respond that I sell houses and homes, not neighbors and neighborhoods and then direct them to the resources that can answer that question legally. However, I like George's answer much better - "the fastest way to seperate a Realtor from thier license is to have them comment on the neighborhood."