It was the best of listings, it was the worst of listings...
it was the age of continuing education, it was the age of testers,
it was the epoch of lawsuits.
Mrs. Seller: I like everything about your presentation. I like your aggressive marketing plan, I like the printed materials you're proposing and love your massive internet presence. What did you call that? .. Active Brain??, very cool.
I'd like to hire you to represent my prestigious lake-front property.
Realtor: That's terrific, thank you so much for your vote of confidence, I won't let you down.
Mrs. Seller: There's one additional thing that you should know, in taking on our property.
Realtor: Of course, Mrs. Seller, what would you like to share with me, that would help in selling your beautiful home?
Mrs. Seller: Well, as you know, I have lived in this neighbourhood for over 30 years, I raised my family here, and I still have good friends who live here.
Realtor: Yes, you mentioned that before, it's a beautiful setting.
Mrs. Seller: We value our neighbours, and we don't want to do anything to damage this wonderful community, so we've agreed... we won't sell to any [insert your choice of politely spoken ethnic slur, here].
- crickets -
OUR INTREPID REALTOR'S OPTIONS:
a) I totally understand, Mrs. Seller... we surely don't want to see any [slur] ruining the property values here. We'll make sure we don't sell to any of them. I cain't stan'em either.
b) Mrs. Seller, as I'm sure you know, as a Realtor, I cannot support that goal... let's just pretend you never said that, okay?
c) Mrs. Seller, as much as I'd love to represent your property, I have to turn it down. I cannot represent a seller who has told me that she's prepared to discriminate against any ethnicity. You'll have to hire a different Realtor.
d) Mrs. Seller, we just want to sell your property. Once you're out of the neighbourhood, you don't owe those you leave behind any allegiance. But I'll remember what you've said, and let's keep that between ourselves, okay?
This is a real situation (although changed dramatically to protect the guilty) that occured recently in our area. What would you do? What WOULD you do?
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