Thank you for all the great comments...but let me change one point that may make a difference in how you would work with the seller in obtaining his listing.  The seller and 'you' speak the same language, but seller does not speak the same language as the agent they are considering listing with.  Those who said you would not work with the seller...do you still feel the same way?   

Discrimiination is a tough word, and, I am not sure it is meant for this Blog...but here goes! This is my very first blog, ever...so hope you'll go easy on me. I want to know how you handle it when you go on a listing and the seller says, "I"m thinking about listing with so and so because they are ???(a different nationality) They go on to say, "Since most of the area is becoming ???(Pick a nationality of your choice) I think they will have the best shot at selling my home?"   I have been working in these areas for almost 30 years (started when I was 5), and, yes, the areas do change.  I have sold homes to people of many differ cultures and languages, and have never had a problem. But,it seems as if it is becoming the norm to hear this. I recently asked a seller why he felt this way. He said, "because I met with {an agent of the chosen nationality} and they said, only they could sell the house because of the culture that is moving into the area?"  I have had some successes in overcoming this, and failures too.  Advise me!  Thank you.  Hope this blogging turns out to be fun and informative.

 
Star Posted by Deborah Wilson on 02/08/2007 02:14 PM   Comments (38)   real estate, listings  
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38 Comments on Seller or Agent Discrimination

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

FEB
08
2007
3 Featured Posts

Welcome to our newest Rainmaker and great first blog.  Show them your past stats and state that you want to sell his or her home as quickly and for the most money possible and ethnicity or any other possible dicriminatory facet is irrelevant.  Make him feel that he/she is important and that as a team you will sell his home to the first qualified buyer that meets his price and that the rest is just eyewash and plays absolutely no role in the Real Estate market.  I have yet to meet a buyer that wanted to see a home because of the ethnicity of the listing agent.

Good luck and again WELCOME>>>>>>
5:00pm • #19
425,184 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp
I haven't had that one happen to me yet.  Never really thought of the advantages or disadvantages.  I would drive home the point that a seller needs to be certain that they are on the same page and can communicate well with the listing agent that they choose.  A big part of your job is being the seller's coach throughout the transaction.  Does he want an agent that can relate well with him or with a potential buyer?  But maybe the best thing is to just not go there and move on to another opportunity.  I don't think it's wise to talk about those things.
5:16pm • #20
233,724 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Hey Deborah,

Nice first blog. I knew you would thrive in this environment. As for your topic, discrimination or racism is all around us. I know that even though I am a very good agent there are agents that are not as accomplished as I that ate  getting more business that me because I am not white. It's is just something that hurts but that I have learned to live with. The way I look at it, I really don't want to do business with someone that is that close minded anyway.

Good Luck, Tina
5:25pm • #21
1,586,126 Points 430 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

We're glad you are here, Deborah. Congrats on your first post AND getting featured.

While areas do change demographically over time, I doubt many are exclusive. And the LA is going to be dealing with buyer agents AND the buyers. The person with the skills, knowledge, and marketing will be the one who is most successful, not necessarily someone who matches whatever ethnic, religious or national characteristic the seller feels is important.

I echo what others have said about focusing on your skills, successes, etc. If the seller really is so focused on these issues then it may be best to move on.

Jeff
5:37pm • #22
224,763 Points 7 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp
Welcome to Active Rain and CONGRATS on getting your FIRST POST recognized!!!!!
5:37pm • #23
1,951,797 Points 478 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Of that happens again, simply ask the seller if that is all the other agent has to offer, your experience is surely worth more. 

But, for me, once someone tries to put you on the defensive like that, I wouldn't want to deal with them anyway.  They knew full well that you were not "XXXX" and they brought it up anyway.  Why??? To put you on the defensive so that they could control the meeting.

Agents out there. . . . .   do NOT let buyers and sellers control out business.

Now, tell me who that other agent that uses underhanded, smarmy selling techniques is and I'll punch him in the nose.

Lenn
5:52pm • #24
192,884 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog

 

 Way to go with breaking into blogging with such a great topic and comments! Welcome.

I love you Lenn...I wish you lived here I would work for you...I enjoy your honesty, your experience and your take on things .....I agree there was a factor in the conversation that was to provoke and I too would have called tehm out on it. I am good because of my hard work ethic and I protect my reputation.
6:51pm • #25
108,607 Points 5 Featured Posts

Hi Deborah,

You really hit a home run with your first post! 

Welcome to the ActiveRain Blog network. 
When you get a chance, visit the post below for tips, info and features of ActiveRain. 

   Instructions, Getting Started on ActiveRain Blog community, Google Ranking, Networking info

Cheers,

Mario

8:25pm • #26
128,614 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog

The clients can be as biased as they like... their goal is to sell and they want any advantage they can get.

The question becomes who started redlining and blockbusting?  Who told them that THAT nationality was coming in and they needed to stick to that nationality to sell to their own?  That could chase people off as much as draw people to the area. 

Tides ebb and flow... communities come in and leave but Agents can't prey on that by pushing that agenda.  But... agents that are not part of that insular community should understand that most people do tend to stick to their own. 

If you do find an agent talking about that or presenting it in a listing presentation, you could always report them.
9:37pm • #27
7 Featured Posts

Welcome to Active Rain and congratulations on your first blog !!  I like Lenn's response !!  You go girl !!
9:45pm • #28
953,352 Points 93 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I'd ask one question of the seller.  "If you knew originally that you would only list with .., then why did you have me come over and waste my time?  Do you not trust the experience of the other agent, or their skills?   Experience really does make a difference!  Put a bug in their head ...what if it doesn't sell?  Let them beat themselves up mentally instead of you internalising it. You do not deserve that!  Sales are made not by ones color, or race etc...They are made by dedicated professionals with a proven track record.

We just recently took a listing that is the reverse situation as this.  The same scenario...they listed with someone from their... and the home sat on the market 2 x.  In all  1 Year! No input, no feedback, no fliers, no contracts, and no sale! 

Sometimes real estate is a wait and see game.  Play your best hand, but the game isn't over till it sells!  "Don't count the money while you are sitting at the table!"  :)
10:02pm • #29
190,900 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Deborah,

Thanks for the post. this is  new one for me, even in the northeast, 45 minutes outside of NYC.
10:39pm • #30
FEB
09
2007
866,661 Points 18 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
This is a very intersting point.  I think we will see this more and more.  It applies with buyers as well.  Often, I have prospects who feel that they want an agent of a certain nationality (the same as theirs) along with lenders etc.  They feel the agent will also have better negotiating skills and that they can trust  someone of the same nationality.  When this occurs, I try to point out past clients who they can call for a reference.  This does seem to work part some of the time.  Research of how people buy reveals that people like to buy from people they like and people who they perceive are like them -- Perhaps, you can focus on their wants and needs and show how you can resolve those issues.
12:01am • #31
283,710 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
'Good luck with your blogging.  When you are writing to agents, you may want to make it "invisible" to the public by putting it in the Members Only section of your blog.
12:08am • #32
464,255 Points 1 Featured Post

Interesting first blog!  I think you are thinking that descrimination played a part because of the obvious nationality of the agent but ,  maybe it didn'....maybe you need to sell him on what you can do and how it will benefit him and he'd go with you.  I guess you'll never really know the right, true reason he went with the other agent. You'll never be able to prove this theory.

 

Patricia Aulson/SEACOAST?REALTOR, NH, ME &  MA

URL:  www.patricia4realestate.com 
9:45am • #33
4 Featured Posts
Sad. Sad.  We have to learn to be blind to race and ethnicity.  I hate those sellers did that to you.  But several folks have made good points.  Now that you know this may be an issue in different areas of your fair city, build your listing presentation to stress how your marketing plan extends itself to all people. No matter where they are coming from.  I always tell my sellers, "We don't what color your buyer is as long as their money is green."  Everyone gets a chuckle out of it and we move on.
10:02am • #34

Deborah,

I have worked with non English speaking clients and had great success. I say promote yourself in the light of your qualifications. Knowing every word someone says may not be the key to finding the right property and representing the client in the manner they deserve. Some clients use children as interpreters throughout the process. I learned a great deal by reading an earnest money in english while another person translated in spanish (I have knowledge of spanish and german). Go get em...
6:44pm • #35
I would like to learn spanish.  If I could speak I could serve my clients bette.
9:07pm • #36
FEB
10
2007
128,614 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog

You know... there is another obvious way into the community - working with someone else there.  If you get one client there, ask their help to work their churches, community center, PTAs etc.  Or partner with a LO/Banker/CPA there.

For instance.  I have a client that I have done 3 transactions with already and I am about to do the 4th.  He is Brazilian... the Brazilian population down here is exploding.  I can understand some Spanish and German...my French is ok.  My Hebrew is so so... but Portugese is WAY outside of what I'm used to hearing.  The only reason I can understand German and Spanish SOME is that I just hear it all the time.  Portugese is a language that just sounds so bizarre to me that I cannot get to the roots to piece things together because they're pronounced so differently than the other languages I know.  My client, though, has been great at getting me in with other people... even past other Brazilians because he can vouch for me that he could not have gotten any of it done without me.

Sure, I had to brush up on my foreign national programs... I had to spend a WHILE on INS' website and help line... but I made 3 transactions happen and the toughest by far was the first - had it not happened the other would not have been possible.  He is a great testimonial for me - IN PORTUGESE.  If I ever needed translation, he'd help... or send his assistance.  Plus my new sister in law is Brazilian!... and I went to her wedding to my brother in law in Sao Paulo... so I can always shoot the breeze and make small talk that revs people up to working with me.

 

 
7:16pm • #37
AUG
11
2010
338,367 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Have not seen any new posts from you in a while. Feel free to visit me back at my lethbridge real estate blog and leave me a comment to let me know you stopped by.
2:50am • #38

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Deborah Wilson

Fullerton, CA

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Realty Executives Premier

Address: 3261 N. Harbor Blvd, Suite B, Fullerton, CA, 92835

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