The ladies of “The View” took a break from their chronic Trump bashing to turn their ire against a new real estate platform that allows homebuyers to know how their prospective neighbors may have voted.
Entertainment Weekly reports that Monday’s episode featured commentary on the new platform from Oyssey that provide a block-by-block view of the political affiliations of the residents in a community surrounding a home that is for sale. The partisan data is culled from election results, campaign contributions and licensable commercial data. Oyssey has rolled in South Florida and New York City this month and is being marketed as a monthly subscription service to agents and brokers, and buyers can sign a digital contract with an agent to tap into its data.
“The View” crew was mostly incensed over this offering.
“I think that is not a good idea because number one: it’s none of your business,” said Whoopi Goldberg. “And number two: it just fosters more division.”
Sara Haines was in agreement. “And to pretend that our divisions are just political is the best part, because jerks come in every political affiliation and that’s what neighbors are,” echoed Sara Haines, which sparked Goldberg to respond, “That’s what you gotta ask people: how much of a jerk is this guy or gal? That’s what I want to know.”
Alyssa Farah Griffin was less hostile but still critical, stating, “It’s just odd – I would for sooner look at crime rates and the schools in the community.”
But Sunny Hostin felt the platform could benefit homebuyers, noting, “I have a multiracial family, my goddaughter is gay, some of my best friends are trans, I wouldn’t want to live next to an extremist that would make my family feel unwelcome. But I don’t think that’s a political affiliation thing, it’s a behavioral thing.”
Ana Navarro brought a Trump reference into the talk by declaring, “Well I would avoid Palm Beach for the moment, if I were you.” But then she added, “Honestly, all I care about is that they keep their yard looking good, that they mow their lawn, that they don’t have crazy trees over my yard, that they’re okay with [her dog] ChaCha, and that they don’t call the police when I have loud parties.”
As for Joy Behar’s opinion – well, she wasn’t on this episode, but we suspect she would have sided with her co-stars.
Photo: Screenshot of “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg from the Dec. 16 episode, courtesy of “The View”
Have been able to see owners political registration for years-public knowledge – doesn’t mean the person voted that way… The View likes to hear themselves talk with little meaning. Unfortunately the View comes across as clueless-self absorbed- entitled – rude and a waste of time. Can not believe it is still on air. The world is in a crisis mode and need leaders not flame throwers.
No matter the law we all like a neighbor that fits our social mores. There is a comfort in being with like minded people. It isn’t political so much as lifestyles but then politics is a part isn’t it
Erica, it’s public record !!’
This is against rules! It’s similar to steering and redlining…if you are a Realtor, this breaks the code of ethics.
How is providing a platform for buyers to get data steering?? This is like saying you can’t direct buyers to crime mapping software, or you can’t provide them with a website that gives ratings for schools. It’s not steering unless the agent uses the date to determine what houses to present to the buyer. And redlining has nothing to do with any of it. Redlining is when lenders refuse financial services for a property due to its location being associated with large populations of racial and ethnic minorities.
I don’t like the View but they have a point on this one. Political affiliation is not a protected class like race or religion. Home buying should not be politicized. So go get your NAR pride pin.
I agree with Whoopi. This is over the top and it is none of anyones business. Why can’t people live with people who don’t necessarily agree with you on your views. Maybe they agree on some but not on others. I am comfortable with my views and comfortable with anyone who has different views. If we can have a discussion, maybe a person can decide that the other view is good. That is how it used to be and should be again,
I disagree that voting is public information if that were the case why do you pull over a curtain to provide the voter privacy. Someone selling this information to realtor platforms should be investigated and prosecuted.
Realtors are not allowed to say anything about anybody’s political affiliation, period. It is a violation of our ethical code.
The issue here is Voter Privacy…
which is a core value and integral safeguard to the integrity of our public elections.
No one should be individually targeted/pursued/personally confronted because their personal information/voting history/voting status has been disclosed/used without their knowledge or permission.
^^^YES!!!!! AGREED!!!
From my observation there is a lack of community and a platform such as this can create division especially for someone who may have a pre-deceive idea of people who may vote one way or another before actually meeting their neighbor.
The platform will be sued into submission when the data is incorrect thereby harming property value. Curious who is stupid enough to fund this project.
That part!
I would sure like to know if the women on The View would be my neighbors before I bought a home.
Bad, bad, bad idea. This company will be out of business in no time. I don’t want to know, and I don’t care who my neighbors voted for. I agree (choke) with the women on the View, even though I wish their show was canceled.
Why would you market this foolishness to Realtors/brokers? I wouldn’t use it if it were free. Fair Housing stench all over it. Steering violations more easily committed. I hope they go belly up real quick.
It violates our code of ethics and fosters more division.
Um, I’ve had to explain to my daughters that Democrats would vandalize our cars if we had bumper stickers on them they don’t like and that most of my Democrat clients would not work with a non-Democrat real estate agent. Many Americans rightfully feel unsafe around Democrats, especially in the blue cities. While this platform may be a little too convenient, voter registration is public record and most non-Democrats just want to be left alone and would rather not live near Democrats. I’m an old-school Democrat and the party has left me and Americans as it has gone so far left.
It’s pretty much impossible for a republican to have vocalized beliefs in a blue city and that says a lot about actual “tolerance.”
Can you even blame them when their party spent billions of dollars and left media communicated nothing but manipulative mistruths absent of context to make Trump and his voters into someone they needed to “fight” against and attack “evil.” Dude just wants the country to make the changes both parties have talked about for decades and never did.
What you are saying is very sad.
But, even sadder is that it’s actually true.
After having my home vandalized TWICE by the democrats, I’m also one of the Americans that you mentioned who doesn’t feel safe around democrats.
Let’s Make America Great Again and STOP the violence against non-democrats.
God Bless America!
I don’t believe a word you said. Wolf in sheep’s clothing. Everything you said has fox disinformation written all over it.
I have many friends in the Democrat dominated state of NJ who feel the same way. They love our country and support traditional American values but feel their party has alienated them. The DNC has an anti-American agenda.
Regardless of your political affiliation, just knowing who someone voted for doesn’t make them an “extremist.” Just because they voted democrat or republican doesn’t mean their antifa or alt-right.
Honestly, that’s the biggest issue and why Trump voters showed out publicly even harder this time because they were done being in hiding over their vote because left voters couldn’t emotionally fathom a “normal” person voting for Trump.
Voting results are statistics as such is public records. It is up to the buyer to do their own research and not part of a realtor task. As individuals we don’t always agreed to social and political views. My husband and I don’t always agreed to the same political platform as a matter of fact we do not belong to the same political party. We can co-exist and get along with our neighbors even if we have different political, social and even religious point of view.