Government and public-agency records are the starting point. Explain what the source contains and when it was updated.
Client research directory
Be the source of the source.
Give clients a neutral path to credible facts. Share the official source consistently, then let each client decide what the information means for their needs.
Back to ResourcesUse the source, not a label
Keep the conversation factual and client-directed.
Ratings, rankings, and summaries add someone else’s methodology. If a client uses one, encourage them to review its sources and criteria.
Provide neutral sources consistently. Do not substitute a personal neighborhood judgment for the client’s own research.
This directory is practical fair-housing-minded guidance for source sharing, not legal advice. Follow your brokerage policy and applicable laws.
01
Schools and boundaries
Start with official state and local school data. Third-party ratings are interpretations, not definitive measures of school quality.Research public-school locations, district information, boundaries, and state-published performance data.
National starting pointNational Center for Education Statistics
NCES Public School Search
Find public schools and districts by location and review federal directory data reported by state education agencies.
Open NCES Public School Search (opens in a new tab)National starting pointNational Center for Education Statistics
NCES school district boundaries
Explore official school and district maps, including current district boundary files and the School & District Navigator.
Open NCES mapED (opens in a new tab)Local lookup requiredUSA.gov
Find your state education agency
Use the official state directory to locate the education agency and relevant district for report cards and current attendance boundaries.
Open USA.gov state directory (opens in a new tab)02
Crime and public-safety data
Direct clients to FBI and local law-enforcement data. Avoid judging whether an area is ‘safe’ or ‘unsafe.’Share reported crime statistics and local agency records without interpreting what they should mean to a client.
National starting pointFederal Bureau of Investigation
FBI Crime Data Explorer
Explore data submitted through the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Coverage and completeness vary by agency and reporting period, so review participation details.
Open FBI Crime Data Explorer (opens in a new tab)Local lookup requiredUSA.gov
Find local law-enforcement data
Use the official local-government directory to find the relevant agency, then look for its data dashboard, incident reports, or records-request process.
Open USA.gov local directory (opens in a new tab)03
Flood zones and natural hazards
Check official flood mapping first, then add hazard-specific federal, state, or local information.
National starting pointFederal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA Flood Map Service Center
Search an address for official National Flood Insurance Program products. Map coverage, scale, topography, and update dates can affect property-level interpretation.
Open FEMA Flood Map Service Center (opens in a new tab)National starting pointU.S. Geological Survey
USGS Natural Hazards
Start research on earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes, flooding, wildfire effects, and other geologic hazards.
Open USGS Natural Hazards (opens in a new tab)Local lookup requiredUSA.gov
Find state and local hazard maps
Use the official state directory to locate jurisdiction-specific wildfire, evacuation, landslide, seismic, or other hazard information where available.
Open USA.gov state directory (opens in a new tab)04
Environmental data
Research regulated facilities, compliance history, pollution sources, waterways, and environmental conditions.
National starting pointU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA ECHO
Search by location for regulated facilities, environmental compliance history, enforcement cases, and pollution sources.
Open EPA ECHO (opens in a new tab)National starting pointU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA EnviroAtlas
Explore environmental, land, water, built-environment, and community data through an interactive map.
Open EPA EnviroAtlas (opens in a new tab)National starting pointU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA Superfund Site Search
Locate proposed, current, and deleted National Priorities List sites, Superfund Alternative Approach sites, and additional active or archived Superfund records.
Open EPA Superfund Site Search (opens in a new tab)05
Utilities and internet availability
Check reported broadband availability, then confirm service, costs, and connection details directly with local providers.
National starting pointFederal Communications Commission
FCC National Broadband Map
See fixed and mobile broadband availability reported by providers for a location; it does not guarantee real-world performance.
Open FCC National Broadband Map (opens in a new tab)Local lookup requiredUSA.gov
Find local utility and service contacts
Use the official state directory to identify electricity, gas, water, sewer, and utility-regulation contacts for the location.
Open USA.gov state directory (opens in a new tab)06
USDA loan eligibility areas
Check whether a property appears to be within an eligible rural area for USDA Single Family Housing programs.
National starting pointUSDA Rural Development
USDA Property Eligibility Map
Search an address on the official eligibility map. Map results are not a final determination, and the borrower and property must meet all current program requirements.
Open USDA eligibility map (opens in a new tab)07
Property records and taxes
Find the jurisdiction’s public parcel, ownership, assessment, recording, and property-tax information.
Local lookup requiredUSA.gov
Find the county assessor and tax office
Use the official local-government directory to locate the parcel search and research assessed value, tax status, exemptions, and available property characteristics.
Open USA.gov local directory (opens in a new tab)Local lookup requiredUSA.gov
Find the recorder or clerk office
Use the official local-government directory to find the land-records portal or request process for deeds, liens, plats, and other recorded documents.
Open USA.gov local directory (opens in a new tab)08
Zoning and land use
Review current zoning maps and adopted land-use rules from the authority that governs the parcel.
Local lookup requiredUSA.gov
Find official zoning and GIS resources
Use the official local-government directory to locate the planning agency’s map, zoning code, overlays, and comprehensive or general plan.
Open USA.gov local directory (opens in a new tab)Local lookup requiredUSA.gov
Find the planning and zoning office
Use the official local-government directory to find the responsible office for questions about permitted uses, overlays, pending cases, and written verification.
Open USA.gov local directory (opens in a new tab)09
Building permits
Research permit applications, inspections, code cases, and certificates where the jurisdiction publishes them.
Local lookup requiredUSA.gov
Find the building and permit office
Use the official local-government directory to locate the address or parcel search for issued permits, inspections, and available code records.
Open USA.gov local directory (opens in a new tab)10
Local government and public records
Find the correct public body and its official records, meeting, ordinance, or disclosure-request system.
National starting pointUSA.gov
USA.gov local government directory
Choose a state to find official county, city, town, and other local-government contact information.
Open USA.gov local government directory (opens in a new tab)Local lookup requiredUSA.gov
Find the local public-records system
Use the official local-government directory to find the responsible agency’s records page for ordinances, meeting materials, open data, and disclosure requests.
Open USA.gov local directory (opens in a new tab)