The quality of the public schools is very important for a high percentage of home buyers. In our market, we refer them to the website that will provide the information they need. School districts can change and real estate professionals need to limit their comments.

Schools are a big topic in our area.  Most buyers that are moving locally already know which school(s) they want their children in, so I just need to make sure that the home is within that district.  If someone is moving from out of state, I give them a list of the local schools, their websites and what programs are offer - especially in the high schools (IB vs AP).  I also have friends that work in the school system that can answer their questions as well as the boards themselves.

There is not a big variance in our school rankings so that's not much of an influence. Easy commute or busing to schools sometimes makes a different though.

Buyers select communities and school districts long before they select a house.

All the agent does is confirm or enhance what they already know. In many cases the agent can set up that important first meeting with the school administration.

Do I steer away from discussing what the buyer has indicated is of critical importance to them? Of course not, THAT would not be ethical.

A lot!

Nikesh Parekh - I'd say, it's 70-30! Some elderly clients do not care for school district and so is true for very young professional - not planning for a family in near future.

GreatSchools.net is my 'go to' site along with stats from State website with MCAS score (local exam in different grades of MA school system.)

As a buyer's representative, I think I can discuss about the school system. I do not believe it is considered as discrimination.

Before the bust buyers asked for specific schools only.  During the busted years it was like a feeding frenzy and they didn't care what the schools were, just the best deals.  I haven't really seen a change back to the specific schools yet in our market.

In my market this is a very important point. Private / Catholic school tuition runs about 10k a year. That's average. 

Relocating families are always inqiiring about the school systems in the area...we show them reports.

In Michigan home values correlate directly to the quality of schools

Schools are key for any young couple.  There are several school systems in San Diego Country that are known as being 'award-winning.' These communities hold their value well. Greatschools.org is the online resource that I reference mos frequently. I try to answer buyer's questions about schools - always pointing them to resources for them to investigate.

Carefully. Discussion of schools is a fair housing minefield, but we provide pointers to a variety of public sources on local education - it' s a very important consideration here.

Nikesh, the quality of school districts important to families with children.

School ratings and information are very public and common around here and I don't have any issue showing these ratings.

There are folks that feel this is a major consideration in selecting a home and will only pick areas with the best rated schools.

And, then there are those that are only considering the bottom line in price.  

Both of these types of folks will get what they pay for.

Extremely important. Before even doing a search  I have this is on an Buyer Interview Sheet that I fill in so I make sure that this is important to them. 

For those folks with school age children as well as for resale purposes, schools are very, very important in our market.  I have not yet had a client who had not already done their homework as regards schools.  Different children have different needs, so it is not always about the so-called "best" school with the most rigorous curriculum - it's about the best school for the particular children. And that's something only a family can determine. 

I'm happy to provide home buyers with school information, for those counties that publish it. 

That said, when it comes to price vs. public school ranking, price wins every time.

I ask about that and then give them contat info and tell them they need to check it out because it is a very personal thing.

For buyers with families, it is very important.  I send them the Buyer's Advisory for Arizona, which contains live links that includes information on different schools.  Here in Tucson, AZ they allow open enrollment but the schools play a large factory for those with children or plan on having children.

How the schools perform is a huge topic in my area. I am lucky to be selling homes in a area with some of the best rated schools in the state. That said, I still do not give my opinion of the schools. I point the buyers in the direction of the school rating website or just tell them the actual grade rating of the school(s).