Realtors are the go-to source for any advice and recommendations you might need during the house-hunting process. Therefore, these professionals naturally expect their clients to have questions when shopping for homes in the Florida real estate market. However, you have to ask questions that they can legally answer.
Confused? Let us explain.
According to the federal, state, and city fair housing laws, every agent and company must prevent any kind of discrimination in real estate; otherwise, they can face fines and other penalties. Some of these inquiries may be innocent but could spell a lot of trouble in the form of illegal steering if they shared their opinions or the inside scoop on certain topics.
If you’re shopping for a new house or condo in O-town, read on to learn 5 things Orlando realtors can’t answer or legally tell you.
5 Topics Realtors in Orlando Can’t Legally Discuss
1. Type of People in a Building or Neighborhood
Questions related to this topic are a big no-no for agents since they cannot legally profile the “type” of people living in a neighborhood or building. Answering these questions can result in steering by stereotyping. Instead, Orlando realtors show them around the area or building so they can get a feel of their own.
2. Neighborhood Economic Status
Talking about a particular neighborhood’s economic status is another big no-no for Orlando realtors since they’re not allowed to discuss the demographic statistics. Instead, they recommend buyers to check the “fact finder” section of the US Census Bureau official website or look for reviews online.
3. Local School System
Real estate agents cannot tell clients which school system is good and which is bad. They can, however, mention the public test scores or talk about unique benefits, such as sports or extracurricular activities. Again, you should consider looking up school statistics since you can’t expect realtors to away your decision towards or away from certain school districts.
4. Beliefs and Lifestyle
Sharing any statistic or opinion related to religion, race, gender, and sexual orientation can put agents in hot water. According to fair housing laws, realtors aren’t allowed to steer anyone based on any of these protected categories.
5. Crime Rate
Although information related to neighborhood crime rate is publicly available, it is illegal for agents to talk about it according to the Fair Housing Act since these statistics could be perceived as a reference to a particular race or religion.
Looking for an Experienced Florida Realtor?
And there you have it – 5 things Orlando realtors can’t answer or legally tell you. With this information, you can avoid asking questions that put them in a difficult position and at risk of violating fair housing violations. Instead, you should consider other resources, such as websites and social media, to help answer any of these questions. If you’re in the Florida real estate market for a new home and haven’t found the right option yet, visit Megan Dowdy Realty or call 407-509-9279 to get in touch with an experienced Orlando realtor today.
