Crime & Contracts: Before You Write That Offer… Look This Up First

You're about to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a home. The listing talks about the granite counters, the fenced yard, the double vanity…
But what nobody is talking about is the break-ins, late-night activity, or neighborhood energy that could make you regret the whole decision after you move in.

This episode is about what’s not in the listing—and how to find it out for yourself before you write that offer.

You’ll learn:

• Why agents shouldn't legally talk about crime, and what that means for your decision-making

• The difference between steering and informing (and why most realtors play it safe)

• The one app I recommend every buyer use before pulling the trigger: NewsBreak

• Seeing the difference between a one-off incident and a clear pattern of problems

This isn’t about fear. It’s about clarity.
Buyers spend so much time focusing on the house, they forget they’re also buying the block, the street, and the daily experience that comes with it.

I’ve had buyers tell me:

“We love the house… but we’re not crazy about the neighborhood.”
This episode is here to help you avoid that moment.

📱 NewsBreak App
Live crime maps, neighborhood alerts, and even access to real-time police dispatch in some areas.
→ https://www.newsbreak.com

🛠 Additional Tools You Can Explore:

• CommunityCrimeMap.com – Police data overlay by LexisNexis

• CityProtect.com – Live crime feeds from participating law enforcement agencies

• SpotCrime.com – Crowd-sourced and official reports in one map

• CrimeGrade.org – Color-coded heat maps with A–F neighborhood scores

• NeighborhoodScout.com – Paid reports with deep crime analytics by address

🗺 Tip: If NewsBreak doesn’t pull anything for your zip code, check the city’s police department or county sheriff’s website for local blotters or jail bookings. Most departments post something—you just might have to dig.

If you’re listening—how often do buyers ask you about this?
Do you bring it up proactively, or try to stay hands-off?

Shoot me a quick DM or email. I’d love to hear how this shows up in your world.

If this episode gave you something to think about, hit Follow so you don’t miss the next one.

✅ Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mortgage-made-simple/id1783824303

✅ Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/63I2DcKynLMvNnGnF18wdR

New episodes bi-weekly—zero fluff, real talk, and practical advice for buying, financing, and making smart moves in today’s market.

Need help figuring out your next step? I’ll give it to you straight—no pressure, no pitch.
Schedule a time here:
https://calendly.com/blakeoverton/30-minute-call-with-blake