racial comments & what to do?

Back up JJ just because someone asks if a neighborhood is dark does not mean they are racist (maybe naive or biased) or worried about safety. Simply state I cannot comment on racial ethnicities since it's a protected class and I could lose my license, however if you are concerned about safety you can check out the local county's police department website that will show crime statistics and give them the website. 

Good response Heather.  There are testers out there all the time.  You need to be a positive influence in this industry.

JJ,

I loved you answer that it is dark at night! I also liked Heather's professional response without the mention of safety, as you pointed out.

I was the broker of a company and a client asked one of my agents in the neighborhood was "safe." Her "yes" answer cost the company $165,000.00 in a settlement. Watch your words!

Richard-  wow, that's the first I've heard of that issue.

 

I have had my fair share of dealing with Racist people in this business. They do not remain my clients.  In your case, I would have simply told this person that you will show them properties that fit the criteria they are looking for.  Then it is up to them to do some due diligence on the area via driving the neighborhood, checking out crime stats with the local PD etc. 

One time I was out showing homes and the person made a comment about how the neighborhood was full of...and he used the N word.  Then he attempted to ramble on and say terrible things. I stopped him, told him straight out that I found his comments ignorant and abrasive, he needed to join the 21st century and to find another Realtor.   Straight out racist he was.  This is also part of the reason why I do not let people ride in my car with me.  When I drove off he got the message.

Wow, JJ.  You really brought up a lightning rod of an issue.

We all get these questions.  It is very awkward.  Good issue.

As much as we wish it wasn't this way, I think it is important to have open discussion of these issues.

Comment on!

Ken

I have been with people whose comments made me uncomfortable.  I think your response was great, but I'm tuning in for other comments.  I think relating 'dark neigborhood' to safety is mixing apples with oranges.  The ethnic make up of a neighborhood has nothing to do with safety. 

JJ, I don't think that providing people the resources (police website) for them to do THEIR OWN searching about a neighborhood is out of line.  Give them the resources, and whatever their motive for looking for the stats, and the decision they make is totally up to them. 

Perhaps it was as simple as asking them to clarify what they meant by "DARK".  Maybe the assumption that they were talking race is wrong.  But by asking you start to let them know that this may be an issue.  Let's say it was race. . . I don't think it would be wrong to just simply say that you are not racist, that it is ethically and morally wrong to judge someone by skin color, and perhaps another agent would be more suited to their needs since it appears your belief systems are different. Hope this helps.

There are some good comments in this thread.  Most important: racial makup has nothing to do with safety.  There is probably a higher correlation wtih the number of un-maintained rentals or foreclosures in a neighborhood or with the number of pickups parked in front yards.

And it is the responsibility of the customer to do their own due diligence, not the agent's.  Providing sources for demographic data, in my opinion, is just as bad as verbalizing the data to the client.  Let them them find it on their own. I do ask if they are familiar with Google.

I especially appreciate Mary Luz-Johnsen's response- If an overt racist is in a separate car, I would explain that I would not be able to work with them any further and leave them there.  If they were riding with me, it would be a direct trip back to the office. 

My market is very urban.  Before I work with an out-of-towner, I do provide links to local news sources as part of my introduction to the city. I also try to provide clients with listings that meet their criteria and maps, and strongly encourage them to do some exploring before we get together.

JJ,

Can you feel the respect I have for you through this response.  I do hope so.  I too have encountered my share of comments.  Yes, I would agree that the comment was racist, maybe this is not the guy that will burn a cross on someone's lawn, but he certainly wouldn't call the cops either.  As for the Realtor that suggested that the safety of an area has something to do with the race has not visited walked in my shoes through Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn. 

Regardless, the way you handled it was the best way to handle it.  Don't give a comment like that your attention.  I am so impressed that you brought this topic up. I am black and when I am speaking to clients over the phone they make their own assumptions and then often say some really stupid things.  I respond the way you do and continue on. 

LOL JJ...that is pretty much the response I would have given them too

i've always found playing dumb works well for me... "I don't get what you mean" or "I guess I don't understand your question"  My goal is to make them think "Wow, not everyone thinks like me" but they probably are thinking either I am a tree hugger, a dumb blonde (not a protected class by the way haha) or just plain blind.  Sad, but true...  good response from you none the less! Always gotta watch your back :)