Online Tool Helps Us Answer "THAT" Demographic Question

Melissa Data helps answer questions Realtors Can't AND gives great information about lookups.

I'm always getting the questions, whether it's Politically Correct or not, it's the same thing, what's this neighborhood "like." I'd almost rather you just blurt out racial slurs so I know where you stand.   I have had a few people actually ask me about illegals in an area.  Excuse me, but isn't that kind of the point.  I mean, they are illegal, so how does anyone quantify them? I suppose it is a good question, just one that I don't think I can answer. 

People from all walks ask these questions, it's not just one group.  Their perceptions of the area are often a result of sterotypes as well.  The saying goes that in Georgia, you can't have a conversation for more than 30 minutes without discussing Race, Religion or Politics.  I already made the mistake earlier on active rain on the second one.  Well, no more.  You'll get nothing but unbiased opinions here.

I'm not one for circumventing our laws and I'm definitely for due diligence, but the internet has this great way of providing answers to clients that I can't.  It's using sites like this that make me look like I am knowledgeable without actually ever answering the questions. I'd rather wow you with my knowledge of what there is to do in an area or how the real estate market is here, instead of talking about about different socio-economic demographics of an area. Even then, I am worried about overstepping my bounds.

On with it you say, where's the goodies?  This site here has been a secret tool for a long time.  Melissa Data is a great lookup site (be forewarned about their crime and weather data) most of those pesky questions that we as Realtors should not really be answering.  It's especially helpful on questions we can answer but shouldn't.  For example, Crime Rate.  It also has a great newsletter that discusses direct mail secrets (that's their business) and how to make it more effective.

As a Realtor we have to toe the line when it comes to advising our clients (in some states there is less gray area).  It helps to have tools that knock away the questions so there can be less tip-toeing.   I, for one, am awful at tip-toeing.