Real Estate in Northeast Florida and Around the World

I am often asked by buyers to help them find the house of their dreams in a great neighborhood.  Who wouldn't want to live in a great neighborhood?  Why, most of us when asked, would respond that we live in a great neighborhood.

However, defining a great neighborhood is very difficult, and it is also illegal for a real estate agent to do so.  Why?  Because this is very subjective and personal to each individual.  Your own personal definition of what a great neighborhood is, may be very different from the next person's opinion.  You say you want in a neighborhood with great schools.  Define what that means.  And that is just one of the many things that can make up a great neighborhood - and certainly the list is long and varied.

You see, a real estate agent is required to follow laws and regulations set by both the state in which they are licensed and the federal government.  In addition, the agent who is also a Realtor® is bound by a Code of Ethics which includes the prohibition of discrimination in any form and steering a customer.

So - help your real estate agent define what a great neighborhood means.  Better yet, ask your agent to help you find the facts yourself - whether it be researching schools, crime and zoning information, convenience to shopping or recreational activities - whatever may be important to you.  Then you can tell your agent to help find a house in a specific neighborhood or school district - and you know for yourself what a great neighborhood you will be moving into. (I have these links for Northeast Florida - click "About Northeast Florida" located on the right menu bar).

One other note - in the last couple of months, buyers that I have worked with have asked not to go to a particular area of town.  When I inquired as to why, the response in both accounts was that they "heard" it was bad for crime, it was old and not very well thought of.  When I asked if they had ever been in any neighborhoods there, the responses were no.  What did I do?

I provided them with links and asked them to do some researching in neighborhoods where there were also houses for sale that met their specific parameters for square footage, room count and amenities.  I also asked them to spend time with me taking a tour of this part of town.  What was the result?

The buyers purchased homes in these areas that had been on their "black" list, which was based solely on what they heard someone say, versus actually checking the facts.  The facts told them that they had not been given good information - and subsequently they found the perfect house just by opening their mind to something different - facts instead of rumor.  This is what a partnership between a customer and professional Realtor® does - it creates a positive outcome that exceeds expectations!

So - see you around the neighborhood - and I bet it's a great neighborhood!