An Uncomfortable Truth

Melina - we are on the same page. Steering toward what a buyer wants should be something we can do without thinking about how we look in orange jumpsuits :)

Melina

Wonderful post!  I too think that it is normal for people to want to pick the neighborhood that they live in, with certain criteria.  Not only will demographics give you ethnic break down, but median wages for the area, white and blue collar workers, and so on.  . I always tell buyers to drive their chosen community at all times of the day and night to get a feel for what goes on. You would be surprised what you can find out after dark!!!

Thanks for sharing this edgy topic...it is what it is!

Melina-I had no idea that the census data was actually being used to put something like this online.  It is interesting and worth talking about, but I have to admit that I was sick to my stomach when I popped over there to take a look at what you were talking about.  I have only had a couple of clients comment on "where" they didn't want to live in the time I have been in real estate also.  I like Inna's idea.... something much more positive to rate neighborhoods.  Suggested-think this will be an interesting topic to follow.  I truly makes me sad to think that people may visit this site as a way to "avoid" neighborhoods. 

Melina,

After reading your blog, I wrote about the same thing, mayne a different angle. I like your understanding of self steering.

What bothers me is the manner when agents in the name of following the law leave their client in the dark.

Imagine an older lady, and you understand that these migh be issues, and you refuse to help. So. you would tell her that she might rather walk away from the best deal because it is two-storey and the besroom is on the second floor, but they would keep their mouth shut that she might be getting into a place where she may not really be comfortable.

Melina-once again we agree.  Thank you for posting this information, you learn something new every day in this business.  Okay, off to read Jon's post....

I visited the map.  I felt awkward looking at it and probably would not want to represent the person who chose an area based on that map.  Probably a great tool for big marketing companies.  Mad Men?

Melina - The topic is certainly one with many varied and thought out opinions.  I applaud you for posting it and keeping this dialog alive.  In some areas of the country the degree of "color-blind" varies ... but other protected class issues continue to be considerations. 

I still stand on intention - but even that has it's traps with institutional racism being so unacknowledged.

I am surprised that both your post and Jon's were "suggested" ... and neither seems to have met whatever unidentified criteria that means ... at least at this point!

Again - Bravo - to both of you.

Melina ... You may be right - however, if someone needs to "monitor" then maybe we need the experience of mature discussion to become good at it!  The issue is not only sensitive and we try to be PC ... but it takes practice to talk about difficult and divisive subjects - without resorting to tasteless and classless rhetoric. 

You know, this is disturbing, yes I know that though things are far better now, prejudice still exists! I think living in Austin, Texas is so different because we rarely have anything like this occur. I really like this post and the thoughtful way it'swritten. I actually arrived here from reading anotherr thoughtfully written comment by you on copyright infringement.I am sure I have read your stuff before but for some reason have not subscribed to your blog. Something I will do right after leaving this comment. Oh and this would make a good post for discussion on the main page, is that what you mean by "the dash"?

Cool...now you can see why we like it so much in Austin! BTW I noticed that some of my favorite bloggeers have left comment here and...if you don't mind asking, oh wait, I better better just email you ;-D

Did you notice top right you can see what people have tweeted about the maps?  Most seem to be paying attention to the  income map.  I saw one tweet decrying how segregated Milwaukee WI is.

It is interesting if you look at the race maps by city.  I was looking very close, zip code level the other day.

Melina -

This is a tough area.  I'm inclined to think that self-steering is up to the buyer.  I'd really like to have it actually be up to them. I don't think I'd feel bad including demographic data on a website.  That's making the info available generally...but not making it available in response to a specific  request.  It's the specific request that would bother me.

Steering yourself towards a home that is within walking distance of a particular church seems innocent enough.  But not wanting to be that close to any particular church would quickly end a relationship with me....regardless of the church.

But overall:  steering towards something and steering away from something are really just two sides of the same old coin.  I'm going to be uncomfortable either way.

t