5 Questions Agents Can't Answer

by Jess Lex

Have you ever asked someone a question and been unsatisfied with the answer? How about if there isn't even an answer at all?

It can be frustrating not to get the information you're seeking from a professional but sometimes this is actually a sign that the professional is performing their job with integrity.

Today I want to give you examples of 5 questions that a good real estate agent will NOT answer. Since your agent won't answer these questions, I also want to provide you with some resources to help you find the answers if you end up having to do research on your own.

Are the schools good in this area?

Your agent should not be commenting on the quality of schools. Is a "good school" one with high test scores? Winning sports programs? Tenured faculty? Each person's standard of what makes a school "good" is going to be completely different and people must make their own determination using thorough research. Here are some suggestions of how to get this information:

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction - You can find the school report cards for all public schools in the State of Wisconsin on this website. These report cards contain many different helpful statistics about the school.
District or School-specific Website - Most districts/schools have a website with various pages that demonstrate the school's values and programs.
School Tours - You can set up a tour of a school to get an idea of the facilities, teachers, and leadership.

Is this a safe/good neighborhood?

Similarly to the reasons that agents can't comment on schools, they can't comment on the safety of a neighborhood either. If someone is moving from rural Wisconsin to a more urban area, they might have a different definition of good or safe than someone who is moving from New York City. So where can you go to find information about communities you're interested in?

City of Madison Community Crime Map - Obviously, this is only for Madison, but if you Google "Crime Map" for other areas, it's likely something similar will be available to you. You can also contact the local police department. The Crime Data Explorer put together by the FBI is also a good resource.
Sex Offender Registry
See if you can get access to Nextdoor for the neighborhood.

What types of people live in the area?

Commenting on the demographic makeup of a particular area is illegal for real estate agents. It can be seen as steering which is a violation of Fair Housing laws.

The website https://data.census.gov/ is hosted by the Census Bureau. It can help you look at various types of demographic data for an area.

Neighborhood Scout is a paid site that can help you look up neighborhood-specific data as well.

Lastly, don't forget about boots on the ground exploration of the neighborhood. You can drive by at different times of the day, stop by a local establishment like a coffee shop or convenience store, or find neighbors who might be out and about and willing to talk.

Would you live in this home or buy this home?

Every time I get asked this question, it is so tempting to want to answer it. But a person's needs and desires for a home are very personal, so I can't give input into whether or not you should feel comfortable buying or living in a particular house.

My best advice for a person looking for reassurance about a home they are interested in is to seek the opinion of a close family member or friend. If time allows, you can schedule a second showing to walk through with other folks who know you best. Just keep in mind that touring with family/friends can be tricky. Sometimes family members haven't been to the other 20 houses you've already toured to have the same perspective as you.

What are the legal or tax implications of selling or buying a home?

Real estate agents tend to know enough to be dangerous on these topics but are not professional attorneys or tax accountants. Make sure if you have these questions that you ask your agent who their favorite professional is that can get you the answers.

As an agent, I am committed to doing my job with honesty and integrity and treating all clients with fairness and respect. Part of that commitment comes with me knowing when my expertise ends and it's time to call upon other resources.

I hope you've found this information helpful as you navigate your real estate purchase or sale. If you need more resources, don't hesitate to reach out to me anytime.

Jess Lex Homes

Phone

+1(608) 571-6868

[email protected]

Address

5940 Seminole Centre Ct Ste 310, Madison, WI 53711-5136, USA

5 Questions Agents Can't Answer

by Jess Lex

Jess Lex Homes

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