As a Realtor, the topic of safety always comes up at some point of the home buying process. Those not familiar with the archipelago of Puerto Rico may start out by asking what towns are safe. Those focused on a particular town will ask when it comes down to specific neighborhoods or streets. This is such a difficult topic, that I often cringe when a listing agent tells my clients, without missing a beat, that they will be “safe” in a certain house. Besides the liability that one takes on when they tell someone they will be safe buying a product, no one can predict the future. And safety is ultimately a relative subject.

Legally, the Fair Housing Act prevents Realtors from answering questions about neighborhood safety. So, when a client asks me if they will be safe living in a certain neighborhood, I can’t give them an answer. This is a boundary that has been set justifiably to prevent discrimination. The buyer will have to do their own legwork on whether they will feel comfortable walking to their favorite neighborhood restaurant at night, or the likelihood of someone breaking into their car if they park it on the street overnight. As a Realtor, I can give clients resources to check out, such as the local police department, websites that compile data, or local community groups that have social media pages. But I can’t guarantee or tell them whether they will be safe anywhere.

While the online resources with crime data are limited in Puerto Rico, and most likely unreliable, there are other options for buyers. The best option is to talk with the locals that live in the neighborhood. Take a good walk around the neighborhood, talk with folks you see in their yard or at the corner grocery store, and ask them about their experience of living in the area. Ask if there are any safety issues of which you should be aware. The same conversations should be started when you meet folks at the beach, local watering holes, retail shops and restaurants. Local knowledge the most powerful. And if at anytime during this process you feel uncomfortable, then trust your gut instincts. You know yourself, your daily routines, and what makes you uncomfortable. You should seriously trust any red flags or gut instincts that give you pause. But if you like what you see, hear, and feel during that process, then perhaps that town, neighborhood or house is right for you?