If you’ve ever asked a real estate agent about crime rates in a neighborhood or whether a school is “good,” you may have been surprised to learn that they can’t answer these questions. Realtors advise on so many aspects of a purchase—why are these topics off-limits?
As Realtors, we want to find the best possible housing option for you. In order to accomplish this, we need to know your specific wants, including areas of interest. Buyers should clearly define what locations they’re open to and what areas they’d like to avoid.
“I want to live in a good, safe area,” is not specific. Good, safe, and nice are subjective. What you consider good isn’t what everyone considers good. If a Realtor guided clients based on their personal opinion of “nice” school districts or “safe” neighborhoods, they could find themselves in hot water—ethically and legally.
fair housing and steering
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. If a real estate agent were to comment on demographics, crime, or school quality, they could steer buyers toward or away from certain neighborhoods.
For example, if an agent says, “That area has a high crime rate,” it might discourage buyers from considering homes there. Similarly, saying, “That school isn’t very good” could unfairly influence a family’s decision and reinforce housing patterns that contribute to segregation.
Regardless of the intention, steering is a discriminatory practice that harms communities and limits homeownership. It is crucial for Realtors to advocate for fair housing—not only as a matter of compliance, but because it upholds the very foundation of the profession: promoting homeownership.
crime data: do your own due diligence
While crime statistics are publicly available, Realtors cannot interpret or summarize them for clients. If an agent says a neighborhood is “safe” or “unsafe,” it’s a subjective statement that could be misleading or discriminatory. Instead, Realtors direct buyers to resources like:
- Local police department websites
- City crime mapping services
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
By referring clients to these sources, Realtors ensure buyers can make their own informed decisions based on objective data.
what makes a school "good"?
Education quality is highly subjective. A “good” school might mean high test scores to one person, while another might value extracurricular programs or diversity. If a Realtor says one school is better than another, it could be seen as steering purchasers toward certain areas, potentially violating fair housing laws.
Instead of giving opinions, Realtors can direct buyers to:
- State education department website
- GreatSchools.org
- Local school district websites
This allows buyers to evaluate schools based on what matters most to them.
By staying within legal guidelines, real estate agents ensure they serve all clients fairly and ethically. In turn, this expands homeownership, promotes equal access, and builds stronger communities. If you’re house hunting and need information on crime or schools, there are plenty of official resources that can aid in your research.
April is Fair Housing Month—a time to honor inclusivity, challenge biases, and work toward greater progress. We hope this primer on steering helps consumers understand why objectivity is paramount to the real estate industry. There are many barriers left to tackle, so let’s get out there and be agents of change.