Moving is the result of an upcoming change and in many people change creates anxiety. Most of us are comfortable where we live and are moving due to an expanding family, job relocation, or the desire to try something new.  Thus, moving to a new house creates excitement in some people and anxiety in others.   While some of us look forward to starting over and creating a home that is unique and reflective of our family, others are worried about meeting the neighbors and wondering if we will fit in.

One thing all new homeowners want is a safe neighborhood.  What you may not realize is that ethically and legally, your Realtor® cannot assist you in determining that decision.   As a Realtor®, I am often asked about the safety of a neighborhood or how friendly the neighbors are.  While most Realtors® may have some overall knowledge of the neighborhood, we may not have the specific answers to your questions.  Quite honestly, even if we did know the answers, we couldn’t legally tell you.

This is truly one of the most difficult aspects of my job.  As a Realtor®, I make it my personal mission for my clients to find the home of their dreams in a safe and crime free area.

For those searching for Omaha Nebraska homes, take a moment to look over the following website.   If you do not find what you are looking for, let me know and I will happily provide you with additional websites for crime statistics and/or sex offender registries.

• http://spotcrime.com    Allows you to look for specific crimes within a radius of any address. This site also allows you to set up alerts when a crime has taken place.

Don’t be offended when your Realtor® is unable to directly provide you with this information. It is important to take your safety seriously.   And remember, while the statistics can provide you with crime trends and potential dangers, they are only guidelines.