As a Mom, the subject of sex offenders is a hot button topic! I don't buy homes near them and I regularly check the state and national databases to make sure my neighborhood is still "clean".
As a Realtor, it is a touchy subject. In California, we were required to give potential buyers a disclosure making them aware that the databases were available for their information. Here in Florida, it seems to be a taboo subject that no one wants to talk about. We have no disclosure and I've been told by more than one agency that they do not talk to buyers about it for liability issues.
HUH?!? To me it would make sense TO talk about it. I believe that we should give our clients the information about sex offender databases and leave it up to them to decide if they want to look up the information. The more I think about it, the more I'm considering taking it up with both my company and our local board.
So, my questions for all of you are:
- Does your company and/or local board require you to give clients a disclosure advising them that sex offender databases are available?
- Does your company and/or board advise you NOT to talk to buyers about these databases?
- Would you take a listing next door to a known sex offender?
- Would you tell your buyer if you knew they were considering a property next to a sex offender?
Edited to add: One of my personal favorites is: www.familywatchdog.us. They do an a great job keeping their database updated!
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