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Is This A Safe Neighborhood?

By
Real Estate Agent with Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL

Is This A Safe Neighborhood?

Is This A Safe Neighborhood?That question is as ambiguous as it is difficult to answer and one I do not attempt to answer.  First of all what "safe" means to me could be and most probably is entirely different than your idea of what "safe" is.  To some folks "safe" is a gated community with 24 hour guard house.  To others "safe" may mean you can leave your house unlocked while out running errands. 

My blanket statement is:  If that is important to you, you should call the local police department and ask questions about the neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods.  Another really good way to get a feel for any community you are considering relocating to is simply drive the neighborhood at different times of the day.  Knock on a few doors...who better to learn from than the neighbors!

Another great way to search an area is online.  There are several sites that list known convicted criminals living in or near the neighborhood you want to know more about.  Just to list a few:

Family Watchdog

SpotCrime

CrimeMapping

FelonSpy

Another great site with a ton of information: GreatSchools.org where you can learn about the schools in your chosen community, test scores, school ratings, comparisons, programs and more.

Nick T Pappas

If you need a knowledgeable real estate professional in Madison or Huntsville Alabama area, why don't you let me Google that for you! I also know outstanding agents in all states and Canada should you need help relocating to a new area.

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Comments(7)

William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Hard not to answer this question, but referrring them to the right authority is the best.

Jun 08, 2012 03:54 AM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Nick, great information for home buyers. I agree with William, referring them to the authority is better. Thanks for your post today,

Jun 08, 2012 04:26 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Nick, in Texas we are encouraged to refer buyers to the authorities.  There may be legal ramifications, if we respond.

Jun 08, 2012 04:36 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

I too always refer them on to the official's.  As you said what is safe to one is not to another.  Smart advice!

Jun 08, 2012 05:01 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Nick:  We must remain a source of information regarding this, and related topics.  It's great that you provide the resources that you do.  For your clients' sake ... but also for yours.  As Sharon (#3) points out .. we can be getting questioned by someone hoping to find us meting out opinions that hold legal ramifications.  Play it safe.  Give them the resources to do their own research and come to their own conclusions ...

Gene

Jun 08, 2012 08:13 AM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

I almost always defer to the authorities and in some situations I strongly stress that my clients call local police departments...I think they get the idea when I overly stress seeking outside sources.  When you know something about an area you want to share that information with your clients, however, as Gene suggested...you never know when you're being tested.

Jun 08, 2012 09:58 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Well said Nick - I seem to get that question alot these days.

Jun 12, 2012 05:57 AM