Flyhomes, a Seattle real estate startup, has introduced a new feature called NeighborVote that allows house hunters to determine whether a potential property is located in a Democratic or Republican leaning neighborhood. This tool uses past voting data and the political affiliations of current elected representatives to provide users with this information. While some may question the wisdom of incorporating politics into the home-buying process, Flyhomes believes that knowing the political makeup of a neighborhood can help customers make more informed decisions.
Flyhomes emphasizes that the launch of NeighborVote is not intended as a political statement, but rather as a way to provide additional information to consumers. In addition to political leanings, Flyhomes users can access a variety of other community details when searching for a home, such as transit availability, walkability, and school ratings. While other real estate companies like Redfin and Zillow offer information on climate change-related risks, Flyhomes is unique in providing data on a neighborhood’s political leanings.
When asked to identify neighborhoods in Seattle that vote red, Flyhomes indicated that the information was not available, but confirmed the city’s overall Democratic leanings. The site’s AI bot cautioned users to consider various factors beyond political information when making real estate decisions. In another search for listings in Richland, Washington, the bot provided data from recent elections to indicate that the area had a strong Republican presence, suggesting it was a red neighborhood. However, it also noted that local factors could have a more direct impact on real estate trends.
The introduction of NeighborVote raises questions about the impact of politics on home buying decisions and whether knowing a neighborhood’s political leanings is necessary or helpful. Some may argue that political considerations are irrelevant when choosing a home, while others believe that being aware of the political climate can influence a buyer’s decision. Flyhomes’ goal with NeighborVote is to provide consumers with more information to help them evaluate properties, similar to how they would use tools like Walk Score or school ratings.
The NeighborVote feature adds an additional layer of information to the home buying process, allowing users to consider the political environment of a neighborhood when making decisions. By incorporating political data into their platform, Flyhomes aims to give buyers a more comprehensive view of a potential property’s surroundings. While some may view this as a positive step towards greater transparency in real estate, others may question the impact of politics on the home buying process and whether it is necessary to consider political factors when choosing a home. Ultimately, the decision to use NeighborVote or any similar tools rests with the individual home buyer and their preferences.
