The top three questions I get asked as a realtor, when shopping with new home buyers, are as follows:
What's the crime like?
I have resources on questions one and two. I cannot address the third. What? Yes, it would be illegal for me to do so!
Here's why and what you can do to answer that question for yourself.
No Taking Bites Out Of Crime
If you're working with a licensed real estate professional who says, 'you don't want to live by that,' or 'the crime there is crazy there,' or even 'it's not for you,' they may be breaking federal law.
The Fair Housing Act was established 1968 and is designed to protect defined classes of people from discrimination.
They include:
Race
Color
National Origin
Religion
Sex
Familial Status
Disability
This is absolutely a positive thing. It's also a complicated thing.
What Can We Share?
The Federal Housing-Act permits licensed real estate professionals to share some facts and not others. For example, while a realtor can say, 'you're going to be by a great new park,' or 'oh! Suzy loves her bike?! She'll be right by a great park!' They shouldn't say, 'this place will be great for children because you'll be by a great new park.'
Realtors can't give opinions on schools or school systems. We cannot say, 'the upstairs neighbors have young kids...' and we cannot say, 'this is a safe place for single women.'
We also can not share information against anyone who has 'done the crime and served the time.' This includes sex offenders. Doing so would be discriminatory.
We cannot share that a seller, neighbor, or a neighborhood is depressed with addictions. Addictions are protected under the disability class. Doing so is called steering, and steering is highly illegal.
Steering is a practice where real estate agents discourage people from exploring specific areas or neighborhoods. Steering limits the buyer from options that should be presented, options that could provide opportunities.
Here's a great video where this issue was exposed in a special report on discrimination on real estate in Long Island, New York:
In watching the video, you'll see that realtors are prevented from addressing many issues that you may find commonplace, and with good reason.
My Experience
I support the Fair Housing Act. I'm required to, but I also believe in its purpose. Its purpose is to prevent prejudice and unconscious bias from impacting the experience of anyone shopping for real estate.
So, while you may hear, 'New Orleans varies block to block,' I won't:
explain that the vacant lot next store is owned by the housing authority, and they may build affordable housing there soon.
point out the halfway house down the block.
suggest, that you don't want to live that close to that street, block, or an intersection for any reason that names a protected class, even if it's for something innocuous as resale value.
I certainly won't avoid sharing listings with you in a neighborhood I think isn't a fit because of crime.
I have been asked to 'not sell to so and so,' and I have been told, 'I don't want to live by those people.' I don't want to work with those clients. So I don't.
Have patience with me or any realtor when we can't address all questions or reveal all information. Instead, we'll likely say something like, "I'm sorry, but Fair Housing laws prevent me from sharing that information." So what can you do?
How To DIY Research
YOU are welcome to do your own research. You are welcome to set your own boundaries and limits. You can also ask to see properties in certain areas that appeal to you. You can communicate those boundaries. We'll listen.
But how do you begin understanding your boundaries? What research is valuable? How can you do it from afar? I've got you.
Trust your instincts - In every step of your research, if you feel uncomfortable in any way, listen to your gut.
Drive-by - If you're making a significant purchase, it's worthwhile to take the time to visit and drive around. Walk around if you feel safe. I'll go with you if you're on the fence and need a buddy. If you're looking from afar, use tools like Google earth to see street views and Google maps to see what's nearby. Ask your realtor to take a video of the block or area when they do a video tour.
Speak with neighbors - If you are local, walk around and be friendly. If you are not, look at Facebook neighborhood groups, explore neighborhood organizations' websites and social media pages, attend a virtual neighborhood meeting, or ask questions in forums like Moving to New Orleans (a Facebook group).
One BIG caveat. It's critical that opinions are gathered from multiple sources and that the people you consult live close to the property and have lived there recently! Asking someone from one side of town about another can be a bit like asking someone from Tallahassee about Los Angeles.
One person's scary may be living by anyone who doesn't look, think, act, or talk like them. Another person's scary may be becoming a victim of violent crime. It's subjective, but it's very, very real.
Bottom line?
A good realtor should assess what their buyers' concerns and goals are. However, they CANNOT and must not steer anyone to or from a neighborhood. It is illegal for to do so.
I get asked about crime and safety all the time. I understand and appreciate that everyone should feel comfortable in their homes, even if I disagree with their definition of 'safe.' I'm barred from sharing certain details.
Instead, I attempt to understand what's driving the concern. Often it's a misconception about the city or an area. Perhaps it's something a tourist or former resident said. Sometimes it's exaggerated comments on a forum like Reddit.
I invite my buyers to have an open mind and to witness for themselves as much as they can. I keep an open mind and open ears myself. And, I almost always sneak in a listing or two that they may not have considered when we go out shopping together.
Voted Neighborhood Favorite by Nextdoor, Team Cool Murphy is a top-producing, licensed real estate team based in New Orleans, brokered by Cool Murphy, LLC.
Celebrated for her next-level creative approach to real estate, Elisa Cool Murphy is an award-winning, top-performing agent in New Orleans and the founder and leader of Cool Murphy, LLC.
Contact Her -
email: cool@coolmurphy.com
Facebook: @homeinneworleans
IG: @coolmurphynola
YouTube: @coolmurphynola
phone: 504-321-3194
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