Keeping Discrimination Out of Real Estate Sales

Keeping Discrimination Out of Real Estate Sales

The word "racism" often conjures up extreme images of hate and violence, and if it were always this overt, it would be easier for many people to address. However, today's brand of racism can include subtle exclusions and herding people towards certain neighborhoods.

The usual way to ascertain whether a real estate agent or agency is participating in discriminatory practices is to do a test with people who pose as home buyers. These faux buyers present similar incomes and family situations, and look for similar properties. One person or couple will often be of the race that does not appear to be discriminated against (or is favorably discriminated) and the other person or couple will be of a race that the agent/agency is suspected of discriminating against.

In many cases, test buyers have proved that some agents tried to steer certain racial groups into neighborhoods where that particular racial group was predominant. Some agents would simply not show certain houses to people of a specific race, while going out of their way to show them to people of another race even if the houses were within both individuals' price range. Some home buyers would simply be told that there were no homes available in their price range or desired location while others were informed about a variety of residences for sale.

Racism is not confined to overt actions by individual agents and realty companies, however. Acquiescing to a client's request to show homes in areas where there are only members of X Race, or neighborhoods that feature largely one culture is also prohibited under federal law. Also banned is selling a home only to members of a certain race for whatever reason even if it is because of neighborhood antipathy and not the homeowner's personal feelings (or so they say) that cause the question to come up of whether one should really sell this home to "those kinds of people".

Fortunately, there are many more agents, agencies and clients who want to support well-rounded communities and have no concern about who buys what home or in what neighborhood. The way that the rest of us can combat discrimination and racism is to report it when we see it and support non-discriminatory practices. Speak up when you see someone act or speak in a discriminatory way. Keep prejudice out of real estate.

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