The Real Simple Reader Etiquette Poll

Is It Rude to Ask Someone What They Paid for Their House?

Readers say:

Yes. That’s none of your business: 52%

It’s OK only if you’re looking to rent or buy in the area: 47.2%

No. Fire away: 0.8%


 Experts say: “Yes, it’s rude,” says Barbara Corcoran, the founder of the Corcoran Group, a real estate firm in New York City, and a contributor to the Today Show. “But you can probably get most of the same information by asking, ‘How much are homes like this selling or renting for today?’ Usually people will readily give you the value within 10 percent.”