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WOULD YOU DO THIS ?

While writing a comment back in one of my other posts, I was struck by this question. Would you provide link information to a SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRY for your clients?

I have provided this link on my webpage in the past, to be used by my clients who are looking for homes. I see nothing wrong with it but am curious to hear the thoughts of other real estate professionals.

Let me begin by saying that I do this for the protection of my client and often their children. It is in no way intended to single individuals out for persecution or attack. I personally feel that when you are convicted of such a crime, you lose your right to anonymity and even privacy on some levels. The information is public, as are foreclosures, property histories and lawsuit filings.

My question is, however ethical it may be.......are Realtors putting liability on the line if they do this?

Posted by Bend Oregon REALTOR ® Kelli Fronabarger on 10/31/2007 09:16 AM

Comments (22)

ethics, sex offenders, buying a home, bend oregon real estate

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22 Comments on WOULD YOU DO THIS ?

OCT

2007

Sexual predator registries are public record. Making a link available seems like a nice thing to do. Whenever I work with buyers I always "suggest" they research such issues themselves.

I put a link to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on my website. I don't reference as a sexual predator search engine. I also have links to the local police and sheriff offices, school info, census info, county & city contact info, lead-based paint, etc. I don't provide info just links. That way we people ask me info related to this, I refer them to the link page on my website.

Kelli, I think that I would provide this information because you are providing the best service for your clients, and not doing something like this could come back to bite you.

I think it's okay to provide a link for buyers to check out on their own discretion but I wouldn't stress the fact that there might be sex offenders in a certain neighborhood the buyer's are interested in. They can find out on their own.

I don't know how to put this but if I was the listing agent and would find out that buyers are shying away from my listings because someone told them there were sex offenders in the neighborhood.................I don't know but I think I'd have a word with that agent.

I'd stay away from any parts of that. I would do as Rob does, link to the Fl. Dept. of Law Enforcement, and if it is a concern of theirs, let them do it on their own.

I don't like the false sense of security that search gives people. The registry only lists people who have been 1) caught, and 2) convicted. The real danger lies in the neighbors you don't know about yet.

Not to mention the fact that some people are on that list that shouldn't be. I know a man who had sex at 10 with a 14 year old girl. She told someone who told her parents. He's on the list. She isn't.

Rob is doing it right. You don't want to be responsible if the link or the information it leads to is inaccurate. However, if you know a home you're showing is in the neighborhood, I would definely tell them to research it on their own and disclose any known information.

If we just hung the pervs to begin with we wouldn't have to deal with this. Hang 'em high!

Kelli,

I think that providing a Link page as mentioned above is a safe way to handle that information. It demonstrates your effort to provide information without singling out any portion of that information as more relavant than the rest.

Internet savvy people will find the information on their own if it is important. By providing a page of links it allows them to spend more time at your site.

I'm really just a consumer and I can tell you right now, I appreciate that registry. It was one of the first places we researched when purchasing our new home as I have a 2 yr old and one on the way.

Here in the Greater Baton Rouge area, the link for finding registered sex offenders has been on our standard purchase agreement for some time now. We simply point it out and leave it to the buyers to actually check it out or not.

My link to the sex offender registry is my most viewed page. I get hits on it DAILY and have since I put it up. YES, it stays. I added a similar page to my "real" blog.

In our contracts, we have to give people this information anyway. People want and deserve to know.

Our contracts state that it is the buyers' responsiblity to research for sex offenders. I don't think a link does any harm.

I believe it's good service to provide helpful links to consumers. The sex offender registry is one of these sites.

Sandy

Hmmmm....... a lot of thought in these comments.

I'd just like to mention that many folks are not aware that these registries DO exist. I feel that the link is one more tool that a prospective buyer can use to make sure the property they want to purchase is right for them.

I wasnt aware that this link existed, thanks for the information!

Hello Kelli....FYI.....In Indiana - the Link Address for the STATE WEbsite to the SEXUAL Offender Registry is PRINTED IN BOLD ON THE PURCHASE AGREEMENTS!

Hi Jeff & Grace-

I sure wish all the states would follow suit. You folks are ahead of the game out there in Indiana ! Thanks so much for stopping by : )

DEC

2007

Kelli, I think and agree with your assessment of the criminal. It is public knowledge. I do believe in protect the public.

JAN

2008

Kelli

Are you still in Active Rain? Wow I just noticed you haven;t written since 10/31...Are you OK?

JUN

2008

Kelli, providing the link on your website is a prudent idea, i feel that we must be careful to provide the same information to all buyers, what happens if you "tell" one buyer to check the state website and then forget to tell the next buyer?

JUN

2008

The state required Seller's Disclosure Statement has that information for Buyers. So I don't worry about providing it myself. I do tell them they need to do some research.

JUN

2008

absolutely. Any link that adds value and safety to potential buyers and families is a no brainer. It might affect a sale or two, but should add points in regards to the relationship for disclosing this info.

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