Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

DH and I found a great house but found out that there was a level 4 sex offender registered in the neighborhood. He was a "manny" and had "inappropriate contact with a minor girl"

DH is dead set against buying it. Part of me feels like why put ourselves in that position. The other part feels like I worry more about the guys that haven't been caught and I would be just as protective and cautious whether or not one was in the neighborhood.

I think my SIL's think I'm terrible for even thinking about it. Any thoughts?

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

I agree - I would worry more about the ones that ARENT registered.

I think if its a great house and great neighborhood you shouldn't let 1 person ruin it.

I know where i grew up there are a few - definitely isn't hurting the resale there or stopping anyone from buying in the area.

Good luck :)

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

honestly i believe they are in every neighborhood. you can use a website to see how many are around....i believe familywatchdog.us

Message edited 8/25/2007 11:14:06 AM.

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

At least you know where he lives and what he looks like so you know to stay away from him. My immediate neighborhood doesn't have any, but there are some in the area. I just don't let DS play outside alone, ever.

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

I would not.

While this is true that they can be anywhere, I coud not move there knowning he lived near my house.

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

I think it might depend on what you mean by in the neighborhood. 10 or 15 blocks away is different than on your street or accross from the school or playground that your children will be using? KWIM. I'm not sure what I'd do. I don't envy you having to make that decision.

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

if you look on the sex offender website you will see that Sex offenders are in mostly every neighborhood. It's personal choice.

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

Posted by bedda26

Posted by smdl

I would not.

While this is true that they can be anywhere, I coud not move there knowning he lived near my house.

I agree...

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

We moved to our neighboorhood only to find out a month later that there was a Level 4 around the corner. What made it worse was that I actually looked at an almost put a bid on the house that would have been right next door.

I think that if the whole neighborhood knows about him EVERYONE is on the look out for everyones kids. That's how it is in my neighborhood.

In fact the sick SOB took a job as a pizza delivery guy at nights. I only figured it out after he delivered pizza twice. I shot up in bed at 3am and ran to the computer and pulled up his picture. I was sick to my stomach! I printed the picture out and brought it the next day to the pizza place1 The owner flipped and was mortified. I think we got free pizza for a month. When I toldmy neighbors what had happened, my one neighbor said the same thing that she thought she recognized him.

We all now are reglious about checking the ebsite to see if anyone new has moved in and we all look out for eachother.


If it's a great house go for it! I'm sure your neighbors are on guard also.

Message edited 8/25/2007 2:05:35 PM.

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

Again, I wouldn't worry about the ones who are registered, I would worry about the ones who aren't!!!

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

Does he actually live there?

A girl I worked with had trouble selling her home b/c a sex offender was registered on her block. The scary part was that he didn't reside at the house and was never there. So he was obviously living elsewhere and those neighbors most likely had no clue of his sex offender status.

Like others have stated, you still have to worry about the ones we're not aware of.

Message edited 8/25/2007 4:54:16 PM.

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

Good luck finding a house WITHOUT a sex offender in the neighborhood. We have at least 3 living within a 10 block radius(I checked). I would buy any way. At least he is registered. I guarentee many of us live around ones who haven't even been caught

Re: Would you buy a house with a sex offender in the neighborhood?

I typed in our address and found about 15 in our area....

when I told DH, he said - they are everywhere....

you just need to keep your child safe and protected. Just because you know abut him doesnt mean he's the only one there. He could be your next door neighbor for all you know...

I probably wouldnt let it stop me from buying a great home. But I would be extra careful about making sure my kids were always in my sight!!!