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Does The Buyer Fit The Neighborhood? Can You Say Anything?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Dagny's Real Estate

Does The Buyer Fit The Neighborhood?  Can You Say Anything?

This past summer, I sold a home to a young couple who I was not sure would fit in the neighborhood.   Not because they were of a different race or culture, but because I knew the ilk ( I know the people - very good people) of the neighborhood, and I had gotten to know the family fairly well.   

I felt in my heart of hearts that they were wonderful people and they had bought the very best house in the price range in the town they were looking in.   But the neighborhood was not going to be a good fit for them.    I could not figure out what to say, so I said nothing.   It will probably work out, as they are a very quiet and good family, and do mind their own business, but I really was hoping they would find a neighborhood where they could establish some long term relationships.   I am not sure this is the place for them.  

What would you do in this case?    Say something?    Keep quiet as I did? 

***********

Thank you sooo much for all of these comments!      I thought I was just was writing a comment about a sale I had a while ago.   

 

I have come back in to the blog post, because I think some of the comments are beginning to get carried away a little.  This is a VERY safe and VERY expensive  tiny neighborhood.   I was only questioning whether they could have been happier in another neighborhood.   

Comments(149)

M.C. Dwyer
Melody Russell Team at eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Felton, CA
MC Dwyer-Santa Cruz Mountains Property Specialist

Well Dagny, your post is pretty vague about what your concerns were.   Like many above, I suggest people who are relocating visit a neighborhood at different times of day & night, + different days of the week to see what's happening.   They should research crime stats, Megan's Law on their own, but I take them to the City or County offices for research.   I also suggest they shop in the local stores and eat in the local restaurants.    If they talk to enough people along the way, they should be informed enough to make their own decision!

Nov 07, 2014 12:48 AM
Travis "the SOLD man" Parker; Broker/Owner
Travis Realty - Enterprise, AL
email: Travis@theSOLDman.me / cell: 334-494-7846

I probably don't fit MY neighborhood of 15 years. I keep to myself & not sociable, but, it's my house and it's paid for, so tuff!

Nov 07, 2014 01:18 AM
Jerry Lucas
ABC Legal Docs LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Notary Training, Consulting. Colorado Springs, CO

In Colorado, some homes are in wildlife habitat areas.  Homeowners may see large grazing animals such as deer, antelope, elk, or bighorn sheep.  In some rural areas there are buffalo or wild horses or open range cattle pasture. 

There may also be predators such as mountain lions, bears, coyotes, hawks, eagles and rattlesnakes.  Hikers and joggers are sometimes attacked. Occasional wolf sightings and rumors of bigfoot.

If you keep a small pet in the back yard, it may get killed by a predator.  A big dog may be a better fit than a chihuahua or a pet rabbit.

O' give me a home, where the buffalo roam,
and the deer and the antelope play...

Nov 07, 2014 01:29 AM
Theresa Akin
CORPUS CHRISTI REALTY GROUP - Corpus Christi, TX

I sold a house to a young couple in a senior/established neighborhood. They loved the character of the older homes and just knowing the neighbors who had been there for decades, the stories they could tell. Eventually, the older neighbors moved and gradually became more difficult to care for the properties. My young buyers were able to pass on the stories from neighbors past. They still live in the neighborhood and plan to stay awhile. One never knows.

Nov 07, 2014 02:55 AM
Barbara Le Pine
ADVANTAGE REAL ESTATE, serving Lincoln County - Newport, OR
Your agent for the Central Oregon Coast!

...Or they might move in next to me only to hear scales played on a xylophone, over and over and over again.....at least the deer seem to like it! Better check the neighborhood for those pesky musicians!

Nov 07, 2014 03:16 AM
Jim Hale
ACTIONAGENTS.NET - Eugene, OR
Eugene Oregon's Best Home Search Website

Many want a certain setting.  Few really want a neighborhood.  Outside of "clubhouse" developments, "neighborhoods" exist only around the activities of some particular elementary school.  For those without kids in that school, the neighborhood really does not exist.

Nov 07, 2014 03:21 AM
Hank Dugie
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX
Mr. League City

Be the source of the source, but never the source. I'd point them to all of the resources at our mutual disposal for them to determine if there's a fit.. if so, let's buy a house!

Nov 07, 2014 04:43 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Hank Dugie says it best, "Be the source of the source."

Nov 07, 2014 05:48 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

This is so vague that it's hard to say...I have felt that way before, in that a client would probably be better off in one neighborhood vs another, mostly due to city services and crime stats.  But you are right--what / how do you say that?

Nov 07, 2014 06:47 AM
Anonymous
Marilyn C Cunningham

Great conversation starter. I think you did the right thing. All great comments.

Nov 07, 2014 09:52 PM
#139
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Thank you Marilyn Cunningham for stopping by Active Rain to participate!

Nov 07, 2014 11:00 PM
Greg Mona
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Professional Real Estate Representation for YOU!

Dagny - I have nothing to add that hasn't been covered several times over now.  Thank you for the thought provoking post, as the responses were very educational to say the least!

Nov 08, 2014 12:21 AM
Marshall Brown
Mid America Inspection Services, LLC - Fargo, ND
BSEE, CHI

It's always a little risky to try and know what is best for someone else. It might well be that moving into an area that might be a little out of their comfort zone would introduce them to entirely new interests.

On the other hand it speaks well of you that you were concerned. Perhaps in the future providing a neighborhood composition gleaned from the census data and other sources might aid clients in making the best decision for them.

Nov 08, 2014 01:48 AM
Andrea HoffDomin
Florida Dream Homes Realty - Fort Lauderdale, FL
- in Real Estate always on your side!

Saying something is a little bit risky but maybe suggesting to visit the neighborhood a few times at different day times or if that is possible go to a neighborhood meeting if there is one.

Sunny greetings from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Nov 08, 2014 09:17 PM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

I'm with you I always recommend my buyer's to visit the neighborhood at various times of the day so they can make their own decision about where they want to live.

Nov 09, 2014 01:11 AM
Anonymous
Jerry Dragoon

Great post. It does not matter what you say or don't say. Buyers will buy anywhere they're qualified to buy. It's best not say anything. And let buyers decide for themselves. No matter what they are, family, friends or relatives. If they ask then they've open the door. But why be the one that opens the door when there's no door to be opened? Again, if they ask me I always say "it's your decision" however in my opinion .... ( you know the rest).

Nov 10, 2014 02:11 AM
#145
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I do not know the people or the situation.  Sometimes people buy and are anticipating improvement in the area as communities gentrafy (is that a word).  Other times I know people buy in rough areas as they consider it their mission to live in those areas and improve the community.  People have different tolerance levels for different things.  Leave it alone.

Nov 10, 2014 03:06 AM
Jeff Jensen
The Federal Savings Bank/Lending in 50 states - Greenwich, CT

You did well to resist sharing your thoughts.  My mother always said "Silence est D'or" French for silence is golden.

Nov 10, 2014 06:55 AM
FELIX SANTIAGO
CHANE REALTY INC - Palm Beach, FL

Dagny, most agents won't admit it, but we have all felt like you did at one point or another.  The key is how YOU handle it, and you handled it well.

Nov 20, 2014 12:55 AM
Winston Heverly
Coldwell Banker Access Realty - South Macon, GA
GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

I really enjoyed coming across your blog among the many archieves. Thanks for being apart of Active Rain.

Apr 08, 2015 01:43 PM