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How’s the neighborhood?

If you are a buyer and have a question about the neighborhood, please don't ask your agent. By law he can't tell you, but if you are in a neighborhood and have a question, the person to ask is the person who is out working on their lawn.

Just go up, introduce yourself as a potential buyer in the neighborhood and that you want to know what they think of the neighborhood. I promise, since they have nothing to gain, you will find out more than you ever wanted to know about the neighborhood, including the fact that the other neighbor is having an affair, but you will also find out if it is a neighborhood you want to live in!

Good luck, and for more secrets about buying a home in Beaverton Oregon, please feel free to contact me anytime, and feel free to check out my weekly updates on the neighborhoods every Friday.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Posted by Todd Clark (Broker) (503)524-9494 (Beaverton, Oregon Real Estate Expert) on 03/27/2008 01:28 AM

Comments (24)

Home Buying Secrets in the Home Buying Channel

how do i find out about a neighorhood, buying a home in beaverton oregon

Originally posted at: Living Beaverton - Your guide to everything Beaverton: How’s the neighborhood?

This post has been included in Oregon Information Washington County, OR Information Beaverton, OR Information
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Post is included in group: 1st Time Buyers

24 Comments on How’s the neighborhood?

MAR

2008

Todd, good post! Thanks for posting it!

I recommend buyers visit the neighborhood different times of day or night.

What if you're an agent AND you live in the subdivision? :-)
I was showing a home last week in my own S/D and was asked questions. It was a bit awkward.

Todd, how many times have we all been on the receiving end of this question?

Hi Todd, that is great advice for your buyers! I also tell them to make sure they would enjoy commuting to and from work from the neighborhood. They should be comfortable with the aesthetics of the actual drive itself, the number of traffic lights in order to access a major highway, the number of minutes driving time needed in order to travel to their favorite shopping, etc.

That is a great idea for buyers, once they understand that an agent can not tell them.

Your Friend in Charlottesville Virginia!

Great suggestion but might be dangerous depending on the neighborhood :) Could we be liable for telling a buyer to go to a dangerous neighborhood? Food for thought.....

Seriously I always make sure that my buyers not only look at the house but the neighborhood. You can love a house but you might not want to live there.

That's funny, Todd! It's exactly what I did when I bought my own house - I went by at about 5:30 and checked out the neighbors as they came home from work.

Todd,

I like this...you should do a whole series of short 'secrets' posts!!! Thanks, Fran

This is an excellent point, Todd. Not only is it against the law, it is simply difficult to say if the agent doesn't live there. Keep up the good work, my friend.

Good answer to them , if you know your farm area very well maybe you can help them.

Great post -- very pertinent. I have been dealing with an internet lead who is getting transferred into my area. It's been interesting for me to help guide him, without telling him what I think about a nieghborhood. I've directed him to several web sites, including a local site on crime stats that shows the info on a map. He has small kids and safety in an area is very important to him, so the web site link has been a huge help and guided him in his internet searches.

Great advice Todd - we agents are too often put on the spot by this questions because we can't answer it. I tell buyers to call the police department or to check their website and to drive through the neighborhood at different times of the day

Todd, great counsel to buyers. We can't give that type of advice for sure. Asking neighbors about their neighborhood is definitely THE best way to find out. AND just drive around randomly and check stuff out!

MAR

2008

Wow, Todd! You're already on page 4 of google for "real estate agent advice neighborhood"! Ain't the rain great?

Anyway, I don't believe it is against the law to tell people about the neighborhood, as long as you don't violate fair housing, which is a different discussion. However, I won;t argue your underlying point -- there have been many lawsuits regarding safety and crime in neighborhoods, and the agents almost always lose. Against the loaw? no. Poor risk management? definitely!

Todd....great advice and I alwys tell them to talk to the neighbors, too!

APR

Tony or Darcy - Hope it helps some of your clients.

Randy - Oh, I learned that one also, there was a party house behind one house I showed a buyer. The house was vacant until about 9pm then 100 + teenagers would show up every night.

Nancy - I just say I can't answer that, but I you need to come see my house, oh wait that is it right there and leave it at that.

Brian - Way too many times!

Jim - I have had many people go their in the morning just to see how long it would take them to drive to work during rush hour. (Yes we have those here)

Charles - I always tell them in the initial meeting that I can't tell them.

Paddy - If you do that you are possibly breaking the law, you can't even tell them that, you have to send them to the police website to see if it is dangerous.

Patricia - NICE! See secrets of the stars... Do what we do when we buy our homes and you can't go wrong.

Fran - Only been about a year, but I may take you up on this. (LOL)

Jason - Even if I live there and the neighbor is a jerk it could be pretty difficult, I'm lucky, I've always had great neighbors.

Bart - The only way that would work is if you are getting them in contact with people from your farm, you still can't say a thing about the neighborhood.

Kathy - There are sites out there where people talk about their community as well. Include that with the police websites and walk-ability sites and you probably can't go wrong.

Mary - Combine that with this method and you will more than likely get the truth of the neighborhood.

Teri - Isn't driving around randomly called lost?

Marlene - The courts amaze me! We can't tell them what we know about a neighborhood because it is against the law and if we don't we get sued for letting them live in such a dangerous neighborhood.

Debra - It is such a simple thing to do and it may make you friends if you end up buying there.

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