If a buyer were to ask you what the predominant race is in a particular neighborhood are you allowed to tell them what it is?

no, you are not allowed.

nope. Not allowed.

Remember, what I said about rereading Principles & Practices? Time to hit the books -- again.

Absolutely not but you can guide them to a school report which will show economic, demographic and social composition of a neighborhood.

LisaD, So you tell them. " Sorry, Mr and Mrs Buyer, I can't give you that information, but if you really want to know, you can check the school report which will show economic, demographic and social composition of a neighborhood. You can find it at wwww.schoolreport.com"
Is that how you do it LisaD?

What I have had to tell buyers is "I cannot answer that question because it violates the fedral Fair housing Act, but you can check census data online, or feel free to drive around the neighborhood and make your own observations." I had one woman get angry and tell me she was so sick of having everyone "walk a tightrope" and afraid to answer a simple question. I just told her that I was, too, but I'm more sick of watching other people in my profession getting sued or losing their licenses for NOT being careful... That's what can happen if you answer those types of questions, and they DO send out people to try and catch agents violating the Act.

You can also direct them to zip-codes.com to find demographics for a particular zipcode.

Why do you feel obligated to "Direct" them anywhere? What do you think about a client who would ask you that question?

Aren't you going down a slippery slope when you entertain any discussion along this line....

How about a simple answer like... "I have no idea"

Who said anything about "feeling obligated"?

What do I think about a client who would ask me that question? I wouldn't make any judgement about him based on the question other than that he wants information which, by law, I cannot provide. However, if he pressed for info I might suggest that he visit the web for information related to demographics.

How about a simple answer like "I have no idea". That works too... unless it is a lie, in which case I'd suggest he do his own research.

I have to get on my soapbox now: I think this is a STUPID law! I can see how discrimination and steering are bad, but if clients want to live by jews, blacks, whites, muslims, etc then that should be their choice and it's stupid and counter productive for me to not be able to answer a simple question.

Advertisers can legally be told this information, same for most clients in other businesses, why not home buyers?

On the other side of this coin; I have been asked if a certain ethnic group lives in the neighborhood because "I won't live near them" and I have to answer "I can't answer that question" .
The less said, the better. It may be a stupid law, but it is the one that will get us in trouble real fast.

Can you give them a website that shows them the demographics?

I happen to agree with Jflynn, if a client wants to know this then why shoundn't we be able to tell them. I mean if they're going to LIVE in this neighborhood we should be able to tell them EVERYTHING about it that they want to know.

You may want to take this quiz--and pay particular attention to #8.


http://www.realtor.org/rmoquiz2.nsf/FairHousingQuiz?OpenForm