We all know how a great reputation for a local school corporation will help real estate sales. And bad schools can really hurt, at least for those buyers with children.

But what about when a good reputation is at a cost of say, higher taxes and referendum requests for more money? How do you talk to buyers who ask you about this? Not having any children I tend to not focus on my school knowledge but local issues are often all over the news.

What’s everyone else’s experience with this?

I bring up the fact to my clients that the higher taxes while they may seem high are still cheaper than say enrolling your child in a private school.

Can you really have one without the other?

Are there school boards out there that are underfunded but have a good reputation?

A little background: Indiana just capped property taxes at a set level which effects school funding. Even with this knowledge (took 3 years to enact) one local district didn't realize the shortfall til December and asked for a referendum for more than 3 million (while the super got a $30K bonus for performance) and was voted down. Just had to lay off 30 teachers at the end of the school year (and blamed the voters).

The school has been a draw for RE and probably still is to those with kids but others might be scratching their heads. But similar things have come up with other local districts.

I used to be involved with local politics and have run for office a few times. But I try to stay neutral now and just let clients vent about things if it comes up. But this does effect RE and I'm just wondering how others deal with something like this. I'm trying to keep personal feelings out of this but my old political activist is struggling right now..

Sounds to me that the problem is in fact under taxation and the fact that the quality of school board is set to decline.

Personally I would have a hard time selling homes to families that wanted to move into the area. Perhaps you can turn it around and use it to get some listings to try to get some families out before the good school zone premium vanishes.