Sex Offenders and Real Estate in Texas

Often times buyers make a list of wants and needs for their next home. This list usually includes location (shopping, schools, dining, highways, hospitals, employers, etc ;, interior and exterior features, and neighborhood amenities. For people with children, the major concern is always about schools, childcare, and activities. One can say we all have different needs and concerns at different times of our lives from just starting out, to growing families, retirement, and even becoming empty nesters, or simply … living.

It is very rare, in fact, I can’t think of a single instance when a buyer has asked me about registered sex offenders. I’m sure there are buyers who care to think about sexual predators, either because they have been unfortunate victims themselves, know of someone who has been an unfortunate victim, or simply because they have children. I myself always do a monthly search of the Texas database for my zip code, and to my surprise, have seen people on the sex offender list that I have seen in my own church.

One does not need to have children to be prompted to do a search of the sex offender database, and caution should be used since there are young adults that have been charged and convicted of statutory rape because their teenage girlfriend or boyfriend was one year younger. However, in Texas, one can see the sex offender’s victim’s age, date of conviction, and a recent change includes where they are employed.

Doing a search of the database for a home purchase may not be a bad idea, but remember, people move, and there is no guarantee a sex offender won’t end up being your next door neighbor in a month or two – no matter how affluent your neighborhood is. This isn’t meant to scare anyone, simply to bring awareness to available information which is easily accessed over the internet. Did you know… the website for sex offenders www.txdps.state.tx.us is also found in the Seller’s Disclosure under “Additional notices to buyer?”

Remember, it’s not just your neighbors that may be potential sex offenders; one should take care in ensuring the service providers they let in to their home are not in this database. Don’t be afraid to ask a service provider (air conditioning company, contractor, landscaping company, your cable company; and yes even Census workers)if they have done background searches on their employees, or if they hire sex offenders. It’s your right to know and your right to protect yourself and your family.

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