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I Love Racists!

Well, not in THAT way. I love them in a round-about way.....because today I benefited from the stupidity and ignorance of a classic racist!

Head in the sand!

So anyhoo, my husband and I put in an offer on a house for investment a couple of weeks ago. It was priced right and in good condition-so of course it went into multiple offers (yes, people, multiple offers still happens-quit watching the national news!).

We lost. I don't overbid my gut (note to investors and investor wanna-bes: do not overbid your gut.). Oh well, on to the next house!

I should note that this house is in my town. About one and a half miles from my personal residence and within three miles of three other investment properties that we own. And I love my town. Harrisburg NC-just north of Charlotte NC and a hop and a skip over the Cabarrus County line. Come visit sometime. But I digress...

So the listing agent called me today. It seems that the first offer fell through and the seller was curious if we were still interested (you betcha!). Of course, being my typical nosy self, I inquired as to the reason for the fall-through...financing fell apart? Inspection issues?

Nope.

As it turns out, the buyers drove through the neighborhood and decided that it was too dark for them. They didn't care for the skin color of the neighbors.

Seriously? In this day and age, people think like this (I know they do, I am still incredulous about it!), and ADMIT IT? Dang.

The business side of me is absolutely DELIGHTED that these people live and breathe and attempt to buy real estate. Because I'll get the house now. And I'll take care of it and make those neighbors happy and we'll all watch our lovely property values increase TOGETHER. I'm pretty confident that the folks who already live there wouldn't have wanted racists as neighbors anyway. (the emotional side of me is so saddened yet disgusted that these attitudes exist in 2007)

Posted by Leigh Brown Charlotte NC Broker/Owner on 10/08/2007 07:59 PM

Comments (28)

racism in real estate, investing in real estate, harrisburg nc real estate, charlotte nc real estate, cabarrus county real estate

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28 Comments on I Love Racists!

OCT

2007

I always find this so hard to believe. Even in Michigan.

Wow...I can't imagine ....but hey. You get it and they lost out.

And hopefully their buyer's agent will tell them "I don't do business this way" and dump them.

Leigh -- Unknowingly, I am sure the neighbors are happy too. Missy & Sally --it happens more often that any of us would like to think.

Too dark? The bad thing is it happens the good news is we are appauled.

<sigh> it saddens me to no end that there is discrimination... on all levels. And when they stand up proud and admit it.... boy my mindset is to slap them right upside the head. Come on now people its 2007 .. get a grip.. if you are that shallow then good move else where .. I don't want you in my town either! Now is that discrimination? Double edged sword it could be!

Michigan, North Carolina, Idaho, New Jersey, Hawaii...no matter where you go, there will be fools who think that skin color or religion or whatever is a defining factor. Human nature can be so ugly at times.

I really really really hope their buyer agent fired them immediately on hearing that excuse!!! The money isn't worth it.

Aziz-yup.

Rebecca-I was just flabbergasted.

Desiree-the last thing I want in my town, and I dare say I speak for many of my neighbors, is a homogenous area of people with blinders on! I guess that's not discrimination until they make Stupid or Ignorant a protected class in Federal Fair Housing.

Unfortunately, it goes on no matter where we live. I'm appauled that people actually admit it instead of making something up in order to back out of a contract. Oh well, thanks to their stupidity, you get a property that you wanted. Congratulations!

Cris-I know-the truth is very ugly at times, I'm surprised these folks didn't at least attempt to make up an excuse!

I am glad that you got the house.

Yes, racial prejudice is alive and well throughout our country, amazing as it may seem. You would think we would've made more progress by now?

Racisim just amazes me sometimes. I have rarely had to face it, but on the few occasions I have, it was such a shock and so in your face that it was amazing. Stories like yours just make it clear how stupid these folks can really be.

The unusual thing is that the buyer would tell the Realtor the true reason for dropping the deal - so not only racist but stupid and tactless as well.

Well, I'm very glad that you are going to get the house, but saddened that racist people like that exist in this world. Good luck with your investment...I hope you make tons of money!

Just curious if you went back in and made a lower offer. LOL I would have tried but I know you wanted it and with multiple offers I am sure you wouldn't want to have lost it again. :-).

Hope all goes smoothly.

I am with you Leigh! I have encountered it over and over and I still get surprised when I am asked. Their loss is your gain, eh?

Leigh, it a sad fact that racism lives in every state in 2007. I have encountered this when showing homes back in NY .Dropped those buyers like a hot potato.

Hope all goes well with the purchase.

Ginger

OCT

2007

Where is your gold star???? This is worth a gold star. A title like that is worth a gold star.

It is a sad day when people don't expect to live in a melting pot. Our diversity is part of what makes our area thrive so well.

Congratulations!!!

I know it still happens and I try to remove myself from those who do it. I have enjoyed working with couples that some say that one is too dark for the other. You know they are a couple who loves each other and I believe that is what we are here for.

Hey Leigh, great post. I won't overbid my gut, I promise. And thanks again for always being among the first to comment when I post on AR.

G

Leigh,

Great blog and a positive twist on an ugly situation! It's hard to believe that mentally still exists. Will be delighted to refer business to you when the opportunity arises. The world needs more people like yourself!

OCT

2007

We live in a "mixed" neighborhood and I couldn't care less as long as people maintain their homes and keep our property value high. As a matter of fact, we bought an investment home about a block away in the same naighborhood.

Thanks Leigh for addressing such an issue. I think the gut really does have a voice and as for the first set of "buyers"....they probably would have been bad neighbors!

I'm not surprised.... many times while taking a loan application, the subject has been broached.

Leigh, I appreciate your blog. All other comments stole my thoughts. The other buyers are not only racists but idiots as well. Really, what color is money? What color is appreciation? What color is profit?

OCT

2007

Well it happens all the time. My son (picture on profile) is white/blue eyes...and I'm tanned..parents from Argentina.

I'm glad that Charlotte is diverse...but you will have a few individuals who think color makes a difference.

NOV

2007

Growing up with red hair made me stand out, which of course as a kid means you get picked on. Granted, its not a racial thing, but I know what it is like to be judged on appearance. I too still find it hard to believe that anyone still thinks this way... maybe after a few more generation pass, this ignorance will too.

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