https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 23:04:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572775 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 20:36:02 +0000 PinkElephant 2572775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My initial thought was that it was kind of odd, and to wonder in a purchase (rather than rental) situation why the seller would care that much about who was buying, so long as they had the appropriate financial backing for the sale.</p> <p>It's actually really nice that the sellers in so many cases have cared about their neighbors enough to want to make sure they're giving them good new neighbors! :) Can you tell I'm a city-dweller?! But yes, I think that certain information (the number of people who will be living there, will any be children, are they bringing pets or a business that operates out of the home) is relevant, race/ethnicity/sex of the people who would be living there really isn't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572768 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 20:27:20 +0000 Boogs 2572768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's what our current neighbors did, along with a letter. It helped them stand out in a competitive market. And our old neighbor promised to give us equally good neighbors and they did! I think the letter was a huge part is why that happened, and we are thankful to have such great neighbors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572528 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 16:37:20 +0000 birdofafeather 2572528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we submitted a letter and photo with our offer(s). in both cases, it did absolutely nothing! ha. but we were the best offer(s). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572467 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 16:03:10 +0000 Mama Bird 2572467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I think it's something to do with the Fair Housing Act. A realtor once told me they're not allowed to promote what school district the home is in. I don't quite understand why, but there it is. It might also be a liability if they make good schools a selling point and then there's a rezoning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572463 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 15:57:47 +0000 Maysprout 2572463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: we moved to a different state and had to purchase or rent quickly, knowing very little about the area or neighborhoods. We found out it was had to get info from our realtor. Sometimes he could point us to sources to gather info but he couldn't provide us with info about crime or schools or stuff like that.<br /> <a href="http://realestate.usnews.com/real-estate/articles/what-your-real-estate-agent-cant-tell-you/" rel="nofollow">http://realestate.usnews.com/real-estate/articles/what-your-real-estate-agent-cant-tell-you/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572405 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 15:23:51 +0000 Mrs D 2572405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Maysprout: What do you mean schools? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572401 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 15:18:32 +0000 magnoliamama42 2572401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've heard of realtors urging their clients to include a personal letter with information about their family with their offer. I thought it was weird, but I guess if there are a ton of offers, it makes sense. It's like personalizing a school application or resume. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572398 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 15:15:36 +0000 yoursilverlining 2572398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know if it is the "right" thing to do or the smartest thing to do, but I don't think it is unethical at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572389 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 15:07:04 +0000 Chillybear 2572389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In this day and age of social media we could have easily found the couple that was purchasing our house online. I think they were doing it more an an enticement like see what a cute normal family we are. We sent in a letter but no photo but my realtor casually mentioned to their realtor that i had just found out i was pregnant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572386 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 15:00:55 +0000 Mama Bird 2572386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can see a photo being used for discrimination too. Maybe the intent is good, but the idea seems sketchy. A personal letter sounds like a good idea though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572380 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 14:55:35 +0000 sunny 2572380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As long as the buyer wanted to send it along I don't see the problem.</p> <p>For those who say that a letter is fine but photo is not, would you disclose that you are a family? Family status is a protected class under the Fair Housing act as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572372 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 14:48:51 +0000 hummusgirl 2572372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never even thought of this being unethical. We did it when we submitted our offer letter - a photo along with letter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572366 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 14:41:57 +0000 Maysprout 2572366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think our agent would have passed it along. There's potential issues for fair housing suits then, he was a pretty big stickler for sticking to the rules of what could and couldn't be discussed - like schools, he would not even remotely touch on schools. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572346 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 14:22:02 +0000 sandy 2572346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: agree - don't think it's unethical per se. We rent out our condo and when we've narrowed down the applications we always meet with the top 2-3 applicants and pick the renter we most connect with.</p> <p>ETA: I understand renting is totally different than selling your house </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572342 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 14:17:54 +0000 lamariniere 2572342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know if it's unethical. Supposedly, our current landlord met with 3 potential tenants in person and picked us. I almost think it added to our application rather than just a stack of paperwork. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572337 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 14:13:58 +0000 GoGoSnoGirl 2572337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A personal letter, yes, a picture, probably not. Though if the interested family were ok with it, that's likely all that matters. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572336 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 14:13:08 +0000 Adira 2572336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebug: Yeah, I agree. I think knowing more about who's buying your home is fine, but I wouldn't want anyone to sell based on the "looks" of one buyer over another! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572328 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 14:06:24 +0000 Dahlia 2572328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely first thought of discrimination issues. I see why someone would want to personalize the offer, but it makes me very nervous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572327 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 14:06:09 +0000 littlebug 2572327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A photo, no. But some information on the family, yes. My parents had their house up for sale. They received an offer at asking price. Their realtor found out from the buyer's realtor that it was a large family with multiple generations. Like, there would 12-15 people living there at any given time. My parents didn't think their neighbors would appreciate that, so they declined the offer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572325 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 14:05:11 +0000 Madison43 2572325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh yikes. I guess I understand wanting to make an offer more personal but thefirst thing I thought of was racial steering. Thats a bad spot for a broker to put him/herself in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572321 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 14:03:43 +0000 Mrs D 2572321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I dont see why it would be wrong...we received letters when we sold our house, several of them describing their family...so I guess I dont see the harm in a picture... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572308 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 13:57:16 +0000 erinbaderin 2572308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Why not? I don't really see the point - trying to humanize the offer and get a leg up? But I don't see why it would be wrong or unethical. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/real-estate-ethics#post-2572305 Wed, 22 Jun 2016 13:55:59 +0000 mediagirl 2572305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you believe it is right/ethical for a real estate agent to send a photo of the family who wants to purchase a home with the offer? This agent knows there are already 2 other offers on the home. </p>