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At Home With Diversity Training

By Rebecca Nystrom

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Renaissance

April 13, 2009 09:42 PM

I had never heard of the At Home With Diversity certification until I was taking a multicultural course as part of my GRI classes. However, I was immediately on board. Who doesn't want to express their commitment to better understanding buyers in our marketplace? Whether you like it or not, we live in a rapidly changing multicultural environment. America's a melting pot. It's who we are and what makes us a strong nation. We value each other's difference. We learn from each other and work together toward a better country.

I challenge every REALTOR® to take a multicultural course. It was fascinating to learn what offends another culture. Some I already knew, some I had done unintentionally. The course I attended also explored common misconceptions about other cultures and why we believe things to be true.

In general, I think this is a major weakness for a lot of us. We like to stay in our comfort zones and work buyers and sellers who are "like" us. Can I tell you that I have had some of the most amazing interactions (and meals!) working with my clients from other countries. They are also some of my most loyal clients, because they understood that I valued them and their individuality.

Want to know more? Contact your local assocation or visit http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/diversity/ahwd_course.

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Karen Anne Stone

New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Real Estate

Rebecca: Recognizing the value of dealing with a multicultural client pool is such a great idea. It would be even better... if our entire country would finally come to recognize the value of living in a multicultural society. People should be "valued" for their different'ness... rather than be expected to melt into and conform with someone elses idea of what THEY think people need to be... or act like, or believe, or whatever. Thanks so much for sharing... Take care.

Apr 13, 2009 09:27 PM

Wow... I just noticed that you are a Newbie ! So... Welcome to Active Rain. This is such a great place to be. I can tell... just from the list of links that you have included... below your picture... that you will both very much enjoy being here... and will also contribute a great deal of knowledge and wisdom to those who are already here. So, once again... Welcome to Active Rain. :)

By the way... I suggest you join some groups... and then submit your posts to those groups when you write them. For an example of some of the groups... you might take a look at my blog profile... and click on the "groups" ... which will open up a long list of the groups I have joined.

Joining a group is not a big deal, and entails no real work. It just gives you a place where you have common interests... that you can submit your post to when you write it. You can have as many groups as you wish... and you may submit your post... to up to five groups for every post you write. Take care... any questions, please ask me... I will be most happy to help.

Apr 13, 2009 09:30 PM

Lenn Harley

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA

Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Interesting.

I'm of the opinion that you can't instill a respect for diversity in adult persons by way of training or education

What you can do, however, is instill a healty respect for the law and the risks of defending yourself against a HUD sting.

Most folks formed their cultural beliefs by the age of about 8 through the teachings and comments of their parents and families and friends.

Which, of course, is why we need the laws to protect minorities.

Apr 13, 2009 09:41 PM

Bettina Settles

Greenwood, IN

Your Indiana Connection

Great topic. We are people of may countries and many have forgotten about this and maybe more need to go though the training to remind them about this.

Bettina

Apr 13, 2009 11:41 PM

David L. Sartirana

Northwest Ct Realty - Winsted, CT

CHMS

Rebecca

Some good advice, I am in a small rural town and we have an every growing Dominican population among other nationalities. I am def. interested in learning more about how to better understand how others have been raised to live and dream.

On a side note, consider making the text bigger in your profile, its small and very hard to read.

David

Apr 14, 2009 01:14 AM

Bruce & Mary Smith

Savannah Lakes Homes - McCormick, SC

REALTORS, Savannah Lakes Village McCormick SC

Rebecca - This is a timely topic! I agree with Lenn that it is hard to change people's values; however, there is a basic need for everyone to respect others. Thanks for sharing.

Mary

Apr 14, 2009 01:29 AM

Isabelle Perkins

And I would add that the multicultural awareness and understanding also helps in our dealings with each other as professionals, which also translates in benefits to all our clients

Apr 14, 2009 02:54 AM

Daren Krause

Keller Williams Realty - Austin, TX

The late Patrick Moynihan averred that American is more like a chopped salad than a melting pot. Then again, that was based on research in New York City in the 1970s. As you write our cultural landscape is rapidly changing. Regardless, your suggestion is well on point. Here's some light reading on the topic: http://cc.kzoo.edu/~k03hk01/melting_pot_or_salad_bowl.html

Apr 14, 2009 03:43 PM

At Home With Diversity Training

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