OfflineThis afternoon I had just finished showing a home that I advertised as a LO to a couple and was getting into my car when a Navigator pulled up. I could barely see the persons head above the steering wheel, but she got out and walked up to me. She was friendly, and we talked a little, and then she asked if I was the person advert. the home as a LO? And I said, "And who are you"? She said she was a local RE and that the wording I used in my ad was in conflict with the Fair Housing Act. I said really and what do you mean? She said the fact I used the term: a nice neighborhood was in conflict.
Im not going to go any futher about our conversation, because it was not real COOL, but have any of you experienced the same thing. And am I in conflict with the almighty Fair Housing Act? Any and all of your comments will be muchly appreciated.
Steve
We seldom get what we want, but we will always get what we expect.
about Realtors and their ability to walk and chew gum at the same time. There's two parts to this question Steve.
The first part is the political correctness of what the Realtor said regarding "nice neighborhood". The general interpretation has been that you can't use descriptive words to steer a potential homeowner, For example, you can't say "white family wanted for 4/2/2 home in Anytown, USA" or "looking for family for neighborhood home near multiple synagogues". Obviously, there is intent to steer only certain families into the viewing of the home. However, the NAR (National Assoc of Realtors) have also concluded on their own, that certain other words may be borderline steering. Of course, it takes a stretch of the imagination, but that there is a theory that "nice neighborhood" means "white neighborhood" (I don't make these things up!!) Of course, I am not an attorney, so use this information in whatever capacity you wish. Is the Realtor wrong? Maybe not as far as Realtors go. They have to subscribe to a different set of rules and guidelines because of their special position. You only have to subscribe to rules that would govern a "common man". I don't think your use of "nice neighborhood" would constitute steering, but who knows in this crazy screwed up world. I would have told the Realtor that while I appreciate her insight, she was practicing law without a license by offering that advice.
Second, her scare tactics were probably calculated in showing how f-ing smart she is and give you an opportunity to list the property with her so not to have anymore violations of Fair Housing Laws. Needless to say, here is another example of Realtors exceeding their world and justifying their existence to themselves. You can only imagine my response to her and whatever you can imagine is tame to what I probably really would have said.
I don't mean to start any hate mail and Realtors who are on this website I will even go as far as saying you are excepted from my next rant.
Do not listen, believe, trust or be intimidated by Realtors as they are a small minded bunch of wannabe investors who don't have the balls to put it on the line everyday. As commission ****s, they justify anything they can for a buck while espousing how they are performing under the ethics ruling of the NAR and the state realty boards. Bull****!! If they're so smart and they see the listings first; why aren't they buying and investing in real estate. Why are they so poor as a group. Why are they viewed by the American public as a job class that is ranked near car salesmen when in comes to integrity?
Yes, my feelings are based upon my own experiences with Realtors and their never ending incompetency. Sure there are some really good ones I have met over the years (30 years), but they are the exception rather than the rule.
Therefore, I am at odds on why anybody would want a Realtor as a team member unless 1) you're too lazy to find the deals yourself; 2) you enjoy people lying to you; or 3) you're a glutton for punishment and disappointment.
But in closing Steve, I think you are on solid ground with you ads as everybody has their own opinion of what "nice" is.
Always Looking to Acquire Houses | Always Looking to Amaze Investors
Bill are sure you don't need this space to continue? Steve I don't think you need anymore information.
http://kendrickpropertymanagement.com/
http://rochesterapartmentrentals.com/?page_id=10
Your comment is very comforting, and Im glad you were not here to talk to the Realtor. You are TOO smart to be a lawyer! Seriously, I appreciate your blunt response and will keep it in mind if this situation happens again. You look like a linebacker and you talk like a coach,....soo enough said! Stay on your box as long as you want!!
Steve
We seldom get what we want, but we will always get what we expect.
I think I hit one of Mr. Bills "magic buttons", but he covered the imp points I needed. No way that "nice neighborhood" should be twisted as racistist or in conflict of the FHA. Btw, you are so funny in asking Bill if he needed your space. "What are you saying"? Maybe too long or what? Hehe
You guys take care....watch your blood pressure.
Steve
We seldom get what we want, but we will always get what we expect.
I did not get offended by the term "nice neighborhood". I too would be attracted to a home in a nice neighborhood. Isn't that what all "people" are looking for? Bill put it all out there from all angles, Thank You,,,,,,,,,,
. Whew,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Now you got me wondering Steve, would that be a racist comment coming from me if I put "in a nice neighborhood" in one of my ads?
David
Well stated sir.
Well said Mr Bill
"Don't tell me I can't, Tell me how I can."
Again, you were quite eloquent!
But, as a car salesman...
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
In case anyone here really believes I am offended by Bill making that reference to my current occupation...
As I explained to him in a PM, I am totally joking about it. I do it as a job. I am not a REAL car salesman. Whatever that is anyway!
Just thought I would make that VERY plain, since things here "sometimes" are twisted into something they were never meant to be.
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
LOL!! Bill, your post is so true, but funny too..
Some think it & some say it!!
DC Terry,Sr.
There's nothing wrong with a "nice neighborhood", and it does not violate anything under the FHA, as it's not part of a protected class. Fair Housing Act, protects 7 classes now, including race, color, religion, national origin, sex, family status, handicap and any other classes that are protected locally. As long as you don't mention anything that has to do with any of those protected classes in your ads, you're fine.
And, if you ever have a comment like that again, challenge them to "prove" it to you (on paper). Tell them to show you the Fair housing act, & you'll show them it's not considered apart of any of the the protected classes. That should keep them quiet. Plus, how many other MLS listing have the words "nice neighborhood"? Maybe all those are against the FHA, too? Maybe that realtor has some listings with "nice neighborhood". It's like they're playing "pot call the kettle black". Oh, don't get me started.
Steve, what was your response to him/her after that?
As I explained to him in a PM, I am totally joking about it. I do it as a job. I am not a REAL car salesman. Whatever that is anyway!
Just thought I would make that VERY plain, since things here "sometimes" are twisted into something they were never meant to be.
For more Fair Housing Act info, check out the website:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/FHLaws/yourrights.cfm
I wished I had been armed with the infor in you and Bill's posts. This is just another stepping stone on my way from inexperienced investor to a seasoned one. Im glad it happened because I gained valuable infor and got to see first hand and for the first time how superior some agents think they are.
The realtor was polite otherwise the conversation would have escalated, but I basically told her that I thought she was wrong and she needed to check her facts. I said I had to go to meet some folks at another home "in a nice neighborhood".
IF WE COULD BUY MOST AGENTS FOR WHAT THEY "ARE" WORTH, AND SELL THEM FOR WHAT THEY "THINK" THEY ARE WORTH......NOW THAT WOULD BE A GREAT INVESTMENT!!!
Thanks Dallas,
Steve
Steve
We seldom get what we want, but we will always get what we expect.
With market and sales down, I'm sure realtors are even more put out with investors selling their own properties. They NEED the listings to sell and make their commissions--they're hurting and stressed.
Mike
Mike
https://tvallc.isrefer.com/go/RehabLite/renvestr/ Free tools
Thank you guys for stopping by. An K, go move some cars today!
Steve
We seldom get what we want, but we will always get what we expect.
Yes they are but many just will not adapt at all or look for ways to move their properties. If they worked with investors more closely, maybe they would realize just how much we could help them.
I hope you doing good, and thanks for the comment.
Steve
We seldom get what we want, but we will always get what we expect.