Matt, I guess you wrote this?  In either case, this is a good post and I always wonder if you all worried about this and or look for it. Some great information here. Especially for the fact that we as lenders and realtors have to follow this anyhow.

ActiveRain just made me proud.  Thank you for taking this important step towards ensuring that fair housing laws are followed here on AR.

Very well said. I'm glad you included 'appraisals' in there. Also, amazing how many REALTORS® will put "a great family neighborhood" without thinking twice.

Here is a shot of page 1 on an appraisal form.  Single Family (1004).

Within the "Neighborhood section":
"Race and the racial composition of the neighborhood are not appraisal factors."

high five dude.

Thanks for adding the Sexual Orientation part at the end.  I can't wait until that makes it in the Fair Housing protected class list!   Sherry

I am impressed. This is awesome. Thank you.

Sherry - Fortunately, sexual orientation has already made it into several states' fair housing laws.  Eventually it will become national.

Thank you. This a much needed step forward. Thanks also to Joe Zekas who made this a priority.

Thank you Active Rain.  Thank you Joe Zekas for making a fuss... it's ok to compliment him here isn't it?  Just not on his blog...

This post marks a milestone in the development of Active Rain.  Firming up the foundation so the structure remains solid!

Very good.  It might be helpful to list some examples of things that one shouldn't do or say.  There have been several discussions about fair housing in the past and there always seems to be differing view points.   I would like it to be crystal clear so someone doesn't innocently interpret the law incorrectly.

Unofrtunatly here in Minnesota we have the Minnesota human rights act which also prohibts discrimination on the basis of marital status, public assistance and sexual orientation.  I guess you guys have enough to keep an eye on with different laws in different states.

Thanks for the reminder. It's a shame it needs to be said but important to do so. The laws are getting more complex, especially in certain states. Have there been problems with listings or is this just to keep these issues at the forefront of our thoughts?

Great reminder of what we all should be paying attention to - we can never hear it too often, that's for sure.

Thanks,
Ann

Jonathan, the Post is well written and to the point, the point being discrimination.  I can't imagine anyone not agreeing with the statements that you make in the Post, unfortunately the problem is when someone takes to take the statements above and tries to interject their own beliefs or lack of beliefs to cry discrimination.  This is what was being done on another Post, trying to take the rules and twisting them to serve a different purpose.  I am glad that this Post did not fall into that trap.

Thanks a lot for keeping equal opportunity on everybodies mind.

I agree with George......... whole heartedly.....

It is such a shame that some people twist things into their own agenda..... and fail to see what is REALLY happening......

I am glad Active Rain is getting stronger and more unified......quite a cry from earlier times...... An Ethics Membership Post and now Equal Housing Opportunity is being visited......I wonder what is next?

hmmmmmm....... =-D

Very informative and well organized post. I am happy to see that people still actually care about fair housing laws and not just getting ad calls.

Glad to see Active Rain making this a core part of the forums operating rules!

Discrimination is definitely a continuing issue though I believe a diminishing one. I’m glad that we as Realtors and Activerain make Fair Housing part of our foundation. As we continue to show our support on this subject the younger generations will see its importance.

Thanks for the post!

Someone else mentioned state law, everyone should be aware that localities also have adopted protected classes.  As I work in No Virginia, just outside of DC, we are in a highly litigous area; and in my years in this business, I've worked in 4 states and I have no idea how many counties.  Before I work in a new area, I always check to see what other protected classes might be floating around out there... Some of them go beyond the obvious.  For example, in some cities (i.e. Washington DC) it is illegal to discriminate against people because of their political affliation (you can't rent only to replublicans).  Many areas include Source of Income as a protected class (you can't discriminate because of the receipt of welfare/TANF or other types of social support).  Some places are even silly - one city said you can't discriminate against lawyers.  Apparently, the story is that the builders were refusing to sell to attorneys because they were afraid of getting sued.  So, guess what the attorneys did?  Sued them; and lost.  Then, they got someone at the local level on board with them and attorneys were adopted as a protected class.  So, the builders had to sell to them!  It can be a little funny... But, the bottom line is everyone should know the guidelines in their area, as well as the state and local laws that most of us learn about in our licensing courses and associations.  Happy selling!

I can not believe I missed this post!

Glad to see that the staff of AR have taken an active stance in our community by displaying the logo and spirit of the equal housing laws.

Kudos to you all!

It's great to know that ActiveRain upholds this very important reminder that all real estate professionals should live by.

Now if only agents understood this applies to their own website and blog content.

It is sad that this issue requires a reminder. Like agency and fiduciary duty, this should be second nature to all in this business.

I'm pleased to have found this post, and I also agree that it is pitiful that some agents need the reminder of what the Federal Fair Housing Act is. Thank you AR.

Ah thank you bob for telling me about this page. doesn't anyone wish to know how on earth a law and rules could exist that run so counter to reality.  

ever drive a family around and have them ask if there are a lot of kids in the neighborhood.  If you do not answer that questions you are a well trained to be a lousy Realtor.  It is a truly important question and no law should stop you from answering it directly.  A real professional would answer it, consequences be damned.  

It is wrong to give half answer like - I do not see to many bikes and basketball hoops when I look in garages.  

I think Realtors everywhere should unite and tell the govt to stop attempting to inculcate stupid values.  

By the way I have more old people say keep me away from the kids than vice versa, yet they are supposedly the protected class.  

You want kids move near the schools.  

I never knew it applied to questions as basic as 'are there kids in the neighborhood?'.

Most people will avoid race comments, but remember that all classes are equally as protected as race, including Familial Status (meaning families with children).  So, instead of thinking about how innocent the intended question about children is, take a look at the same statement if you were to substitute a race... "Are there many blacks in the neighborhood?" is probably a question that would make your spine shiver.  While there is a common assumption that type of question comes with hate, and a question about children may come with love, we can not make that determination.

When you say - "You might like XYZ street better because there are many children in the same age range as your kids", it IS STEERING, which is very specifically illegal.  There can be a fine line between benefit selling and steering, and it is easy to get tripped up.

I once had a customer looking for an apartment.  He had only one leg.  I remember saying "We don't have anything on the first floor"... I will never forget how he put me in my place - "Just because I have only 1 leg does not mean I have to be on the first floor, I hop quite well, THANK YOU!"  He rented a second floor apartment and lived there for several years, until the condition that took his leg, took his life. Despite my horrible assumption, that rightfully offended him during our first meeting, he did forgive me and we did become friends.  I was lucky, however, what I had done - innocently - was clearly STEERING based on a PROTECTED class.  Yes, I broke the law - even with good intentions.  We've probably all done it at some point.

The key is to train yourself to think like a professional and not a consumer; and never make judgements about your consumer - demographic questions can be referred to public sources or they should make their own assumptions based on their observances.

This is awesome information and a must read for all professional agents. Thats if they want to stay out of trouble.

I just saw the house today...the fair housing symbol.  It made me read it again...thanks AR, it's been 19 months since I last read it.

Its Great that you guys display this on the bottom of your site.  Thanks

This is great, can you image if we didn't have these rules. 

Interesting. I knew about these rules but had not read them in detail until right now. Thanks for posting. This is an important read.

I never noticed these either.

Good to know these are here for easy reference.  As a group we need to give more thought to these rules when blogging or writing articles.

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