-
Quick Tour
Connect. Share. Learn.Welcome to ActiveRain, the #1 social community for real estate professionals.- Explore the world's largest storehouse of real estate knowledge
- Access free training on ActiveRain University
- Share the experience of life in the real estate industry
- Grow your business through real estate blogging
- Blogs
-
Resources
Product Reviews Curious as to what others in your profession think about a certain product or tool? AR's community takes the time to leave honest and transparent reviews of their experiences so you can be a bit wiser about your purchase.
- Broken down by categories and subcategories for easy finds
- Get an unfiltered look at what real users are saying
- Leave a review yourself for others to benefit from
- Add new products as you use them and gain points for doing so
|
This past week, I listed a nice property situated on a peaceful rural 5 acre parcel down in Port Orchard.
Posted by 
;)
;)
;)
Find WA real estate agents and Poulsbo real estate on ActiveRain.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
© 2013 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
53 Comments on Fair Housing Act Violations and Other Potentially Offensive Terms
We had a long talk about using the phrase "within walking distance" in listings with our association attorney. Since not everyone can walk so the term could be considering exclusionary for anyone who might be disabled. There are times when we go a little to be politically correct.
What . . . people don't have a "family" anymore!?! I'm a single woman and I sit in my family room to type this. Who's offended or "discriminated" against by the word "Family"? Family takes on all forms and is a very INCLUSIVE word to me.
Write this up in your nexr lisitng:
"Items excluded from sale: The black blind in the family room, the Polish shine dedicated to the prestigious Mexican Protestant Saint Francis, and the Indian youth painting in Grandma's house behind the wheelchair above the garage."
rich:
Other agents in our local MLS have had the same notice sent to them. I hope Wallace is correct in her comment. We should beable to advertise our listings as family homes.
In Michigan I still see a lot of listings in the MLS that say" Great for Families" . . . I wouldn't do it however. What do you think of "walking distance to downtown . . . ". ? I would think that would exclude people that couldn't walk but it is a very common phrase here. Thanks for sharing!
I once had clients tell me they were reluctant to look at a house that was advertised as near a certain church. The inclusion of the church name made them feel excluded.
On the other hand, I worked with a single gay man who specifically said he wanted to live in a "family neighborhood" because he wanted his visiting grandkids to feel at home there.
I remember wondering in each of these cases if I would be guilty of steering if I honored their requests.
Sorry, I hadn't logged in before making the previous comment!
Wow. I found it interesting that other words like, "Executive, Traditional, Handicap, and Wheelchair" were also on the list. It seems like these are common descriptive words, particularly in certain neighborhoods. How would you say that you had a "wheelchair accessable home"? That is important to someone in a wheelchair, is it not?
I'll also assume that your fair housing laws are different than here in FL and in SC where we just moved from. Sexual orientation is not a protected class - not that I plan on descriminating, but there were clearly several words that would have applied.
Also in FL there are a lot of 55+ communities where the terms, "adult, senior and retired" would be common phrases for. I think half of our MLS would get thrown out.
Rich, yikes! Once the Washington Post bounced back an ad with the heading "Drama Queen". It pretty much described the condo. Too bad I had to chage it to "Dramatic Spaces". Oh well. This stuff can get out of hand.
An intesting topic.. and maybe we need to rethink the word "family"... I think it would be great to get some clarification for those on high.. not sure I understand.
We will be the first empire to fall from political correctness. Sad really how far we have veered from the Founding Principles.
Rich - It all seems a little crazy, but I guess we have to do our best to follow the rules as they stand.
That looks like a nice place to raise a ______! As much as it seems silly I get the purpose of it. What I don't get is the fact that they will allow you to have a family room just not a family reunion,HA!
Rich,
You DIDN'T!
I am horrified, non plussed, shocked.
You used the word FAMILY? Right out there in public?
You really should be ashamed!
Phil
"Offended." I can only think of bad words when I think of this problem.
Hi Rich. I was once warned about "perfect for a growing family"word in a listing description in the here. I wrote back that I appreciated them looking out for me and explained that it was a commonly used here - not meant to be exclusionary at all. I changed it to read "perfect for a growing family and anyone else". I heard nothing more...
Good Luck!
Bruce
Rich, WOW that is insane. What is even more insane is that I can think of several words that are offensive that they would probably not give a second thought to, because they would be looked upon as politically correct.
When the word Family starts becoming offensive, what is next?
With all of the hysteria and miss information out there keeping us from doing our job, it is good to have a sensible person like Wallace #8 to set the facts straight.
Thanks for posting this important topic Rich and thanks Wallace for steering us in the right direction to find some solutions.
Sounds like the PC police on streoids. You're clearly not vilating the intertion of the lawmakes so why should you be leld to the lettering of the text.
Did you have to change it?
Hello, thanks for the information on your post! Please, join our group on LinkedIn, ‘REO Institute’. We share Real Estate information regarding market trends, Short Sales, BPOs, REOs, OREs, BOVs, ideas, Education/Training, and Commercial Education. We value you your comments, ideas, and opinions about the Real Estate Industry. Thanks, James
Thanks
James A. Browning MRE, CEO & Founder, REO Institute
We were told here to avoid the use of the words "within walking distance" or " biking distance" as this could be a problem for those with walking disability. I think we have to play by the rules even though they may sometimes be the product of those that have nothing else to be concerned with in this life and in no way directly harm anyone.