Do you know what your real estate agent can't tell you?

Are you aware that there are some questions that  your agent is not allowed by law to  answer? Your agent is not avoiding your question because of lack of knowledge or lack of professionalism.

Just yesterday, I wrote about schools. Real Estate agents are not allowed to give our opinion on schools. Seems harmless enough, but- that's the law. We can refer you to sources that can answer your questions, and that's about it.

Steering and blockblusting will cause an agent to lose their license, and we cannot answer any questions regarding  any protected classes. A few  examples of protected classes could be what the racial makeup of a neighborhood is, or  even the age of the residents on the street. I have had clients ask me if there are any children on the street because they have kids and would like to know that there would be some other children for their children to play with, and the only way I can answer that question is to tell them to check out whether or not there are swing sets in the yard, or take a drive by after school gets out to look for themselves.

We also cannot answer questions about crime rates- and when I say we cannot answer, I mean we cannot answer as per law. If  a client wants to know if it's a "safe" street, or what the crime rate is, I will refer them to the town's local Police department who can tell them of any activity on the street, and the area.

Another question we cannot answer ethically is what a house has gone under deposit for. Yes, it's a big secret until the closing.The listing agent does not share this with other agents, or buyers and there's good reason for it. If that particular transaction falls apart, then that fallen through sales price becomes the new asking price. Let's suppose the home was listed at $750,000 and the seller accepted a $700,000 offer that you knew about. What would be the probability of you submitting an offer greater than $700,000? Slim, right? What if you were that seller? ...So you understand.

I will go out of my way to answer whatever questions I can legally and ethically answer for my clients, and for other agents for that matter. And when you need an agent that you know will go the extra mile for you, all you have to do is pick up the phone or send me an email :)

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