Gay friendly real estate

By Jeff Davis

Real Estate Agent with Realty Executives Five Lakes

April 17, 2009 01:17 AM

I keep getting these emails asking me to register to be a gay "friendly" Realtor. If you're a real estate professional, have you been getting them?

At first I was thinking, yeah I'm "friendly" sign me up. But then on second thought, are there Realtors that are not "friendly" to the gay community? Wouldn't that be a form of discrimination? Would it be discrimination if you only worked with the gay community?

What in the world do I care if someone is gay or if they're not? What does that have to do with buying or selling real estate? I'll help you buy a house with a great master bedroom but why should I care what you do with that bedroom (once it's yours that is) Isn't it a slippery slope to start saying that I am "friendly" to a group of people or I work with that group of people. I mean what if I was to say "I work with white buyers and sellers" I didn't say "only" but doesn't that give the impression that either I only work with X people or that I don't work with any other group of people that are not X people?

What is going on here? Are these emails for real, are they serious? Seriously?

Just for the record: I will work with anyone that will work with me. If you are a living human being, your in. I don't work with dogs, cats, monkey's, horses, trees, worms, Lightning McQueen or Sponge Bob even though my kids would love it. They usually can't sign the closing documents or get a loan or don't have a bank account that we can show that they have proof of funds.

I even take it a step further, I don't even care if you (as long as you're human) don't have the means to buy a house right now. I will work with you, teach you how it works buying real estate in today's world, when you're ready, we'll take the next step. What I usually say is, "I'll be in the real estate business until I die, so don't feel rushed, just keep in touch" "And when you have questions, call, text, email, comment on a blog, twitter me, facebook me, or message me on myspace"

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Jason Sardi

Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC

Your Agent for Life

Jeff - As a Mortgage Guy, I've gotten these emails as well. I'm not sure of the validity of some them. Like you, I will work with anyone willing to work with me. The only monkey's I've worked with were folks in this industry:)

Apr 17, 2009 01:32 AM

Jason Rose

123 ConEd LLC -- Michigan real estate continuing education - Farmington Hills, MI

www.123ConEd.com

Hi Jeff. I've never heard of this before, but it seems suspicious to me. I tend to agree with you that there is a possibility of discrimination, which is something that can arise any time you focus in on a specific group of people.

There is currently no federal or statewide Michigan law that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in housing, although fourteen cities in Michigan have adopted their own laws (including Ann Arbor, Detroit, East Lansing, Ferndale, and Birmingham). The State of Michigan is presently considering legislation prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (see House Bill 4160). This legislation would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Right Act.

Despite the fact that sexual orientation is not a protected class under fair housing laws (except in those fourteen Michigan cities), there is always a chance that someone could raise an issue of discrimination. Any time you identify a group of people and focus on that group, there is always a potential for discrimination (whether intentional or accidental). Even if you're ultimately vindicated, you don't want your reputation tarnished and it's certainly not worth the time or hassle of dealing with.

I think the best thing to do is simply what you already do, which is work with everyone.

Apr 17, 2009 04:37 AM

Matthew Watts

Icon Mortgage - Flint, MI

"Mortgage Matt"

Great Post Jeff, and I do agree that it gives the impression that you would "only" work with a certain group. And yeah, I don't think you'll ever see anyone with "Asian Friendly" on their business card!

Feb 24, 2010 12:40 PM

Louis Carfino

Keller Williams Realty- 352-238-8383 Lcarfinojr@aol.com - Spring Hill, FL

Good customer service is a priority !

This is a great post. I feel the same as you do Jeff. I will work with anyone who wants to work with me. Sexual orientation makes no difference. If you're pre-qualified, you're pre-qualified, no matter what you do in your bedroom (or living room, or kitchen...) at night.

Thanks for putting this out there. I have received some of the same emails and usually just delete them.

Sep 27, 2011 11:43 AM

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Jeff Davis

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