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$60,000 Fair Housing Settlement in Atlanta. 20 Year Policy Finally Catches Up with Them

By
Real Estate Agent with Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage GREC #208281

Just because you've been doing something a certain way for 20 years and nothing has happened, doesn't mean that you have nothing to worry about.

A big Fair Housing suit in Atlanta has been settled for $60,000. 

A condo association in Midtown Atlanta had policies that discouraged families with children from living there. 

An agent there advertised a no-child policy for one of the units and refused to show the unit to families with kids.

That's a pretty big settlement.  I can just hear it now, "But we've had this policy for 20 years now and it was never a problem". 

Whether it be Fair Housing or Anti-Trust laws, it's best to play it very safe because you never know when someone will decide to come after you and cost you some big money.

 

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About the Author:  Tim Maitski has been a full time Realtor since 1999. He has sold several hundreds of homes in areas around metro Atlanta.  Tim started with RE/MAX Greater Atlanta and is now with Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage.

 

Along with blogging on ActiveRain, he provides one of the best real estate websites in Atlanta at www.HomeAtlanta.com .

 

His proprietary  "Maitski Line Reports" chart out the absorption rates over the past 14 years in 37 different market areas.  Know when it's a good time to buy or a good time to sell.    

 

His online Property Tax Calculator allows you to compare property taxes in many counties and cities around the Atlanta area.  He provides the Atlanta MLS Power Search Tool that allows searches of homes using over 35 specific criteria.

 

Over the years, Tim has optimized his business so that he now can offer a huge 50% commission rebate to his buyers.  The more experience one gets, the easier the job becomes.

 

Tim also has a "Five Days to Sold" System that uses an intensive marketing blitz to create a showing frenzy that creates urgency and offers.

 

Tim is always looking to LinkIn with anyone who is interested in building their social network.

 

View Tim Maitski ●Atlanta Realtor●'s profile on LinkedIn

Comments (4)

Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

HOAs are the NEW multi-unit fair housing target * fewer complaints are being filed for rental housing so testers are targeting Condo and HOAs that have discriminatory rules AND many insurance policies DO NOT COVER a fair housing award/penalty.

Nov 11, 2010 08:32 AM
Michelle Francis
Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA
Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease

Tim, 

We had our monthly mastermind meeting of boutique real estate firms.  That was our FIRST topic of conversation today!!!  

So important to stay well within the law for all concerned.

All the best, Michelle

Nov 11, 2010 09:32 AM
Rodney Mason, VP of Mtg Lending
Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 - Atlanta, GA
AL,AR,CA,CO,FL,GA,IN,MI,MS,NC,SC,TN,TX,VA

I read about that yesterday too.  You would have thought that the agent would have known better.

Nov 11, 2010 12:54 PM
Sun City Grand Homes Surprise AZ Real Estate Leolinda Bowers Designated Broker Leolinda Realty
Leolinda Realty - Surprise, AZ
Sun City Grand in Surprise Arizona

Tim, this does not surprise me.  Limiting families in a non-age restricted community is wrong.  Good to read that someone is protecting the rights of those violated.

Nov 12, 2010 04:36 PM