We’d Like to “Add Value” in Certain Areas...But We Can’t

We’d Like to “Add Value” in Certain Areas...But We Can’t

The way that we try to differentiate ourselves from other agents to our buying clients is to provide “added value” to their total transaction process. We do this is many ways including but not limited to:

• Our knowledge of the current inventory in the Winnetka, Wilmette, Northfield, Glencoe,  Kenilworth and other North Shore markets;
• The history of transaction in these areas;
• Our ability to assist you in negotiating the best possible price and other terms for your purchase; 
• Our ability to “flush out” properties that are not currently on the market but may be available to our buyers; and
  
• Our knowledge of the characteristics, nuances, services and other subtle characteristics of the areas we serve.

(photo courtesy of HEADOVMETAL)

This last point is the most difficult one due to the vagueness of the interpretation of The Federal Fair Housing Laws   HUD...Federal Fair Housing

These rules were put in place to guarantee that “protected classes” (race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap) were not discriminated against in regard to access to renting or purchasing housing anywhere in America.

As a result, we cannot discuss or provide answers to any of your questions relating to relative quality of particular schools, religious or ethnic make-up of communities, age demographics of neighborhoods (i.e. “there are lots of elementary school age children on this block” or “many seniors live here”) and proximity to houses of worship.  The concern is that we could be “steering” some protected classes to or away from certain locations.

Many buyers find it very frustrating that we cannot share our personal opinions on these questions. We understand your frustration, but our hands are tied by Federal law on these issues.  Often clients tell us that their former agent or the agent they spoke to at an open house freely discussed these issues, so why can’t we?  

What we can do is be the “source of the source”.  We can direct you to specific websites that discuss test scores, demographic data, information about specific towns or neighborhoods and other non-biased sites.

We can suggest that you talk to school principals and other administrators, ask to sit in on classrooms in local schools, knock on neighbor’s doors, talk to village officials, visit local merchants, we can introduce you to community residents and take you on a driving or walking tour of neighborhoods.

We want to help you make sure that you are buying the right house in the right location with the most favorable terms.  

We will do everything in our power to help you reach this goal.....while still obeying Federal Fair Housing Laws.