making offer on house--registered SEX OFFENDER nearby

[Anonymous]

We had one nearby, when he came back to live with his mom and dad (after getting busted - cannot remember if he went to jail or not). EVERYONE on the street and in the area was on the lookout for him. We all knew his description and a bunch of folks met with the cops to learn a bit more about his offenses. He was not allowed to be out in the neighborhood during school bus hours. If he was - someone would call the cops. He eventually moved hours away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally ruled out homes for this. I can't control what I ont know, but I can control exposing myself to known risks. And since many people perpetrate a number of times before getting caught I wouldn't assume it was only once years ago.

I agree. That's why I wouldn't move to a house with a sex offender next door. But a mile away, 2 miles. I think you have to expect that in a dense area, you're not going to find a house that doesn't have some sex offenders in the vicinity. but I do think it makes a difference if there is one next door, or 2 doors down.

That said, i looked at a house and realized there was a sex offender directly next door. We didn't buy the house for a number of reasons, but that house sat for 2 years, and then they decided to rent it out. (my realtor kept tabs, because we were curious.)

Now, I wouldn't say it didn't sell because of the sex offender next door, but I'm sure that didn't help.

I do think that there is some insurance in buying close enough to a small park, preschool or elementary school that a sex offender couldn't move within that radius.

I wonder if this is a certain house in my neighborhood. If it is, it is under contract now. I'm guessing because the sex offender has moved.

[Anonymous]

OP here, yes, someone mentioned my rationale. Personally I'm ok with the proximity to the SO because they're registered, and so they're being watched.

I value my children's safety, PP. I would never put a price on that. What an abhorrent thing to suggest!

My question was aimed at determining resale value. It sounds like most people on this board are not swayed by SO proximity, unless the SO is next door or directly across the street.

Therefore, my conclusion is that not much of a price reduction can be obtained for this SO reason.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

You need to shame and monitor these people until they leave

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally ruled out homes for this. I can't control what I ont know, but I can control exposing myself to known risks. And since many people perpetrate a number of times before getting caught I wouldn't assume it was only once years ago.

I agree. That's why I wouldn't move to a house with a sex offender next door. But a mile away, 2 miles. I think you have to expect that in a dense area, you're not going to find a house that doesn't have some sex offenders in the vicinity. but I do think it makes a difference if there is one next door, or 2 doors down.

That said, i looked at a house and realized there was a sex offender directly next door. We didn't buy the house for a number of reasons, but that house sat for 2 years, and then they decided to rent it out. (my realtor kept tabs, because we were curious.)

Now, I wouldn't say it didn't sell because of the sex offender next door, but I'm sure that didn't help.

I do think that there is some insurance in buying close enough to a small park, preschool or elementary school that a sex offender couldn't move within that radius.

I wonder if this is a certain house in my neighborhood. If it is, it is under contract now. I'm guessing because the sex offender has moved.

I don't think so, because as far as I know, the house I'm talking about is still a rental.

[Anonymous]

We came very close to putting an offer in on a beautiful (well, with potential) short sale in a great neighborhood -one that isn't known for short sales. Right before we told our realtor to send it in, we decided to check the websites. What do you know? The neighbor directly across the street was convicted in the early 2000s of child rape.

Well, that was that. Even if we lowballed the offer and the bank accepted it, we would have never, ever felt comfortable with our kids riding their bikes, playing ball, hanging out with friends, etc....in front of our own home.

Someone did eventually buy the house for $20k less than asking and 4 months after it appeared on the market. I have no doubt that the SO contributed to the low sales price of that home.

The house we ended up buying has an SO (for child porn) about .4 miles away. We decided that distance was something we could deal with and he was a known quantity. It wasn't like the other house where you could never know what he was taping, looking at, or God knows what else while looking out his windows at your kids.

So, to answer OP's question: you could try to lowball it but a distance of .2 or .4 miles probably won't be close enough to make a difference in the price.

[Anonymous]

What is carnal knowledge and how do you get the detailed info? Whenever I go on the crimemap website it seems you have to register or pay or something to get more info. Do you pay for this info?

[Anonymous]

In virginia, check thr sex offender registry. It gives a list of SO by zipcodes. You can also map the results. It's different from the crime map websites

[Anonymous]

Look, they are everywhere. S.O. websites weren't even up and available by computer when we bought out home. Later I found out that we have at least 10-15 right here in McLean proper. Probably more now. I took mental note of the addresses and made sure we didn't trick or treat there. I alerted our preschool to one that was particularly close. I also found out on the country site that we had five vicious dogs that had been cited for delivering big chomps to kids and adults within a block of us. I was far more concerned that my young kids were going to get mauled by these Dobermans and Weimaraners than the S.O. whom I never once saw who lived .5 mile away. So while you are add it, check for registered violent dogs. VA does have a registry for it. No, I don't know why they didn't just euthanize the dogs. It was litigated. Owners (three different ones!) paid a fine and the dogs go on a "dangerous dog" list. Yes, they indicate what the dog had done and I.D. it both by address and breed. Shit happens. This isn't something you can use to bring the price down. I would laugh at your agent and tell her to get some client control.

[Anonymous]

PP- "shame and monitor" - really? NP here. You need to be very careful you don't get sued or worse. If you are looking for trouble, you will find it. I don't really understand the mentality of endangering your family or home and more. MYOB.

OP, if you are not sure, go elsewhere. But do not move anywhere or reside anywhere with the intent to "get" anyone. There are laws against this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So it sounds like you are saying its not a matter of a price reduction, but its more you either bid or you won't?

You need to rethink your position. Either you find the danger to your child unacceptable and you don't bid on the house or you believe that you can be vigilent and careful and you do. Trying to get a price reduction on something like this I find to be rather sleezy. It says that you don't actually find it unacceptable, but that you are just using any old excuse to try and save yourself some money. Personally, if I were a seller and a buyer tried this stunt, I would turn the offer down and would not counter. It sounds like someone that I wouldn't want to deal with and wouldn't trust.

ITA. If you're trying to buy in a remotely desirable area, the price reduction won't fly anyway.

[Anonymous]

I don't understand why the laws these people to live within 100 feet of a school or neighbor with kids. These people should be be only allowed to live in seclusion or in communities without children.

[Anonymous]

Well, at least we now have the S.O. sites which the ACLU initially fought with a vengeance. So that's something. The one near us - actually two older men living together - had both sodomized a 12 year old. Shudders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why the laws these people to live within 100 feet of a school or neighbor with kids. These people should be be only allowed to live in seclusion or in communities without children.

And just where would that be? Where do people with children register so that the sex offenders can go and look up exactly where the children are so they can avoid them? Oh wait, maybe that's not the smartest idea.

[Anonymous]

uh, "people with children register" at the nearest public school. Or private school, or pre-school, or camp, or church or any number of other places where S.O. position themselves to gain access to children.