Schools and Housing -- Buyers need to do their Research
One of the most important elements to look at these days when buying a home is school districts according to a study by Trulia.com. Some studies have also found that despite the overall downturn in residential real estate, homes in highly rated school districts have kept their value better. And in many cities, home buyers are willing to pay a premium for areas that schools considered better than average.
Most people agree that buyers are attracted to neighborhoods with good schools, but not everyone agrees on what makes a good school. Some families want schools with high teacher-student ratios, others look for schools with good sports programs, others look at the testing information, and others may look for smaller schools with less students. And some home buyers may focus on the high school graduation rate, or whether they have an honors program, or a program for disabled children, or the dollar amount expenditure per pupil, or teacher salary. If you ask 10 perspective home buyers what makes a good school district, you may get 10 different answers.
Many potential home buyers look to their Realtor for information about school districts; but there are some pieces of information that an agent simply can't speak about due to fair-housing laws, including demographic statistics. Agents are forbidden from giving information that could be considered "steering," directing a client toward or away from a particular property in a discriminatory manner. It is a violation is filed against an agent and if the agent is found guilty of "steering" the penalty can be severe.
The Fair Housing Act was passed in 1968 and amended in 1988; and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, and familial status. This law specifically covers residential property. Colorado also has its own statute and has added ancenstry, marital status, and creed.
Since schools are highly important considerations in the buying process, Realtors suggest that buyers do their due diligence when relocating. And with the amount of Internet information available, it is easily done.
Posted by Kathy Torline - Nordstrom
KAT, A Colorado Springs Realtor You Can Trust in El Paso & Douglas County; including Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, Larkspur, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Woodland Park, Palmer Lake www.Kathytorline.com
Colorado Springs Real Estate
;)
Links;)
Tags (Tag Cloud);)
Archives
hi- enjoyed your post- buyers always ask me things about schools, crime, etc. I give them phone numbers to call to find out or go on the internet...thanks