By: Tezeta Roro Though fair housing has become a hot topic in recent years, it has always been an important aspect of the real estate industry. It’s true that some states requre continuing education on fair housing, but the reality is that many do not, even with renewed interest and emphasis on the Fair Housing Act. And for the states …
Love Letters to Sellers: Why They’re Not a Good Idea
By: Neil Goradia Letters to home sellers from buyers may seem innocent enough, however, they pose a very real legal threat. As a real estate professional, you must steer your clients clear of using love letters during the buying and selling process. Useful Resources: Here are some resources to get you started. Use these to educate yourself and to provide …
A Look at the Realities of Fair Housing
By: Kayla Johnson In April, we commemorate the Fair Housing Act of 1968. It’s imperative that we understand the history of decisions that still affect generations and those within the communities that we serve as real estate professionals. It’s also important that we understand and are aware of our own unconscious bias, which can be an eye-opening experience. Only then …
Uncovering Bias to Interrupt Fair Housing Inequities
By Lee Davenport Have you noticed from shows like “The Tinder Swindler,” “Dateline,” “Snapped,” and the ID channel that abiding by the law is not automatic or even intuitive for everyone? It’s April, but our mommas did not raise any fools—we understand that this very important factoid impacts all aspects of life. Real talk: just because laws are in place …
New and Improved Year, New and Improved Appraisals
By Lee Davenport Happy 2022, real estate friends! January is the perfect time to challenge yourself to see, stretch and grow your business. Coach’s Challenge This year I want to challenge everyone to identify and partner with real estate lenders and appraisers who actively use robust policies to prevent appraisal bias; and, in instances when appraisal bias may be discovered, …
Unfair Housing and the Part Left Out of Nursery Rhymes
By Lee Davenport A recent report by the National Fair Housing Alliance shows there were more than 28,000 fair housing complaints filed just last year. I repeat, there were TENS of THOUSANDS of fair housing complaints in the last year alone! Those numbers indicate that despite fair housing being the law of the land, we have a long way to …
A Tool for Handling Multiple Offers in a Hot Seller’s Market
By Lee Davenport According to a recent REALTOR® Magazine article, “buyer and seller agents need to handle multiple-offer situations carefully to avoid accusations of negligence or preferential treatment that violates federal, state, or local fair housing laws or ordinances.” Un-fair housing doesn’t just hurt home buyers and sellers, it hurts all of us. If you as a real estate professional …
Video: Helping Home Sellers Select the Best Offer
By Lee Davenport With inventory shortages affecting most U.S. markets, the National Association of REALTORS® found that there are five offers per listing on average. Wow! That’s nice for home sellers and those of us who are Listing Leaders©. But that also means, now more than ever, we have to educate our clients on how to select an offer without …
Make Fair Housing Your Superpower
By Lee Davenport April is Fair Housing Month, but fair housing is important all year long. People who face denial of fair housing need our concerted efforts 365/24/7. Frankly, fair housing needs to be real estate professionals’ superpower. Yet, as I speak to brokers and agents throughout the United States, I hear that many are at a loss for how …
Are You Ready to Start 2021 as a J.E.D.I. Defender?
By Lee Davenport If 2020 has inspired you to promote fair housing for all, but you don’t know where to begin, then join the J.E.D.I. (Justice + Equity + Diversity + Inclusion) Defender Challenge to kickstart 2021. Learn more about being a fair housing J.E.D.I. Defender in my post, “Take the 4-Week J.E.D.I. Challenge to Promote the American Dream of …