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Tony Lewis, Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo (Summit Real Estate Group)

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Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

If a client wants to know about neighborhood safely I am the source of the source.  I will tell them how to find out by telling them which law enforcement agency they would need to contact to have their questions answered and various websites are listed in our contract to show sex offenders and former drug houses and I point out that so they can do their own research and make their own determination.  But I am not the "decider" of where is safe for anyone but my family.

Jan 12, 2024 01:55 PM
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Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home again, home again...

Yes.  I give them a list of properties that fit the parameters that they gave me, and show them the ones they choose from that list.

(I think you've described the definition of steering)

Jan 12, 2024 12:24 PM
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Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

Absolutely I would call it steering if YOU are making that determination vs. the client making it. 

Jan 12, 2024 02:02 PM
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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

 

What is the alternative?   Show a buyer homes in unsafe neighborhoods?  Show them homes where the resale value is bad? 

  The "best schools"... in some people's opinion, that means private schools or parochial schools.  

 

  Bottom line... let the Buyer pick from a list of homes and/or neighborhoods.  Do not ever discuss or mention the protected classes, such as  race, color, creed, national origin, religion, etc.  

Jan 12, 2024 01:07 PM
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Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

Yes. How do you explain the characteristics of a safe neighborhood, best schools and potential resale value to a client? That also means you would have to explain why you don't show the neighborhoods that are not safe, not the best schools, and lesser potential resale value. What are those characteristics?

Jan 12, 2024 12:19 PM
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Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP
Big Block LPT Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
Coastal San Diego, Veteran's & Retirees Services

I show homes where my clients ask me to. I answer questions that my clients ask. Some neighborhoods may be safer than others to walk your dog at night, but there's a website for everything these days including walk scores, crime, sex offenders and school scores; our buyers have plenty of resources to investigate the hood before they go see the home.

Jan 12, 2024 02:06 PM
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Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

I would direct clients to available resources that address some of the issues that might be of concern to them, suggest they do some research,  maybe do some driving around to explore different areas, and then let them select where they think they want to live.  Personally, I do believe that what you are describing could in fact be construed as "steering"; if not TO; maybe AWAY FROM and that should not be the agent's decision.

Jan 12, 2024 01:22 PM
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Some would call that steering, best to always let the client decide where they want to go, they have plenty of resources online to make that determination without an agent steering them to the neighborhoods that the agent wants go.

Jan 12, 2024 01:16 PM
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Richard Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Motives & agendas play a BIG part in in everything we do. Your question has "good" intentions, is transparent and serves the client. Carry on Tony Lewis  

Jan 12, 2024 12:22 PM
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Towanda C. Gayle
Krystal Womble Elite Realtors - Dallas, TX
Real Estate Professional

Unfortunately, it is considered steering. At the beginning of my real estate career, I was like you, putting myself in my clients shoes showing them homes in areas I would live in. I found that folks opinions differed from mine. I learned to show every home that meets their criteria even if it’sin what I considered a “bad” area. To my surprise, they oftentimes picked the not so good area. I learned what I valued, was not the same as others.

Jan 12, 2024 07:28 PM
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Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

The smart selling Realtor creates choices for a buyer based on their wants and needs. The buyer makes the real choice just like Alan May said.

Jan 13, 2024 05:25 AM
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Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

If the agent decides what's the "safest" neighborhood and the "best" schools, yes, it's steering. If the client says I want to be in this school district, and live on these streets, no it isn't. It's not up to the agent to direct clients to a specific location - it's the other way around.

Jan 12, 2024 06:23 PM
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Matthew Sturkie, CRS, GRI 909-969-3805
Action Realty - Apple Valley, CA
CRS, GRI 909-969-3805

Yes, that might be steering. I agree with Alan May. I think you've described the definition of steering. I've always shown buyers everything that meets the criteria they have given me.  When I first started over three decades ago, one of the top producer agents in the office told me to show everything. She said they have to see the good and the bad because it helps put things in perspective and I completely agree with that.  

Jan 12, 2024 04:06 PM
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Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

I have a conversation with clients about their neighborhood desires first

Jan 12, 2024 08:49 PM
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Steve Higgins
RE/MAX Kelowna - Kelowna, BC

I would send them the listings of all homes that fit their criteria and price range and let them choose which homes they wanted to see. We really don't have any bad neighborhoods there are some bad streets and I would be sure to mention that.

Jan 12, 2024 05:57 PM
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John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I show my buyers houses that meet their criteria. Their criteria often includes good quality public schools. We know school quality can vary across different communities. School quality will affect price (part of my buyer's criteria) and resale value...perhaps safety, also. Showing houses in those communities is not steering, it is following the requests of my clients.

The is plenty of on-line information about schools and crime. The buyers have probably already looked into that information. If not, I would suggest that they do so.

Jan 14, 2024 08:37 AM
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Jeff Pearl
Samson Properties / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

No. I show them the homes they want to see that fit their criteria. They can steer me to anything they want to see.

Jan 13, 2024 09:36 AM
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Michael J. Perry
Fathom Realty - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Crime is Not a Protected Class 

Jan 13, 2024 07:53 AM
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

WHY DO YOU ALWAYS USE BOLD?????

I show what the buyers tell me what they want to see. Most investigate school systems before they come too me. 

How you stated your question, it would be steering.

Jan 13, 2024 06:29 AM
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Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Who's the authority on those statements?

 

I would tell prospectives let's check with the cops, check the stats, then make a decision.

Jan 13, 2024 05:32 AM
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Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

We have to remember, what's good for the goose isn't always good for the gander.

Think about this, what you consider safe might not be safe to another and what you don't consider safe might be the same or better than where they're coming from. Who is to say? When people ask for "safe" I let them know they will need to determine what they're comfortable with. They can contact the police department and do what ever makes them comfortable.

As for schools, if people want a particular school, I help them find a home in that community. I give them the school report card links so they can do their own research. The top schools aren't the best choice for everyone. Some of our schools are so competitive and not every child will thrive in those schools. I've found there are people happy and unhappy with about every school. 

There are so many other factors in finding a home and these two things usually fall into line with what a buyer wants when you focus on the other things. I sell all over not just in a select area.

Jan 13, 2024 05:25 AM
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I show the homes to my clients that fit their needs. I do feel that what you've described is steering. I don't believe you need to do that as most buyers are super savvy these days and oftentimes before we arrive at a showing, they've researched the sheriff's crime site, the sex offender site and the schools. 

IF they haven't researched the schools and say to me that schools don't matter, I do let them know that schools DO matter when it comes to resale! I refer them to the site that ranks the schools in our area. 

Jan 14, 2024 02:01 PM
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
The best agent in Southern Utah!

When working with buyers, listening is the best way to realize their wants and needs. Their idea of a home and neighborhood that will serve them well, may not align with yours, Tony. 

Jan 13, 2024 08:44 AM
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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

 

I do not make decisions for anyone.  My clients share with me what their wants and needs are and we see homes that meet their criteria.  

Jan 13, 2024 08:16 AM
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Peter Mohylsky,
Property Management International-Destin - Inlet Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

it is steering in the broadest sense.  even tho. it does not make sense

Jan 13, 2024 08:15 AM
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Kris Collis, Associate Broker
Smart Way America Realty - East Stroudsburg, PA
Professional Results you Expect 570-801-5525

If the neighborhood is on their list but you think they won't prefer it, show them anyway! They usually let you know quickly if they find the area unsuitable.

If they suddenly grow quiet, ask what they're thinking so far. Before CV19 when buyers rode with us, we sometimes made immediate U-Turns after entering a community. Their decision was not unexpected but it had to be made by them.

Jan 13, 2024 12:12 AM
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Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

I can now see the my mistake.  I was thinking that being a Fiduciary meant to serve the best interest of those that put truse in me.  My thoughts were that my clients having the best future investment was what they hired me to do for them.

Jan 14, 2024 03:31 PM
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Diane Christner
Bright Realty - Sarasota, FL

I agree with everyone else, this would be considered steering because the AGENT is deciding which neighborhoods based on the agent's definition of nice, good or safe.

 

The following comes from a NAR article from a few years back regarding steering:

The following best practices will help you steer clear of steering:

  • Provide clients with listings based on their objective criteria alone.
  • When a client uses vague terms such as “nice,” “good,” or “safe,” ask impartial questions to clarify their criteria, such as property features and price point.
  • Only communicate objective information about neighborhoods and direct clients to third-party sources with neighborhood-specific information.
  • Learn to pay attention to your unconscious biases. When evaluating what a client objectively wants, ask yourself why you have eliminated certain areas, if you have.

 

Jan 15, 2024 09:37 AM