Steering (an unlawful act when performed by a Realtor)
The process whereby builders, brokers, and rental property managers induce purchasers or lessees of real property to buy land or rent premises in neighborhoods composed of persons of the same race.
Steering is an unlawful practice and includes any words or actions by a real estate sales representative or Broker that are intended to influence the choice of a prospective buyer or tenant. Steering violates federal fair housing provisions that proscribe discrimination in the sale or rental of housing.
The term steering is defined as the channeling of prospective home buyers to or away from certain areas.
The strict interpretation of fair-housing laws prohibits brokers from providing information about people that could be construed as discriminatory in any of 14 protected categories. The categories include familiar ones like race, religion, sex and disabilities and less well-known ones like familial status, marital status, citizenship and occupation.
When buyers ask you to recommend neighborhoods, be careful how you respond. It’s possible to inadvertently violate the Fair Housing Act by steering a customer to or from certain areas. Here’s how to help clients find their dream community without crossing the line.
Steering can be avoided by finding out their enjoyments and sharing information on the location of these events. It is advisable to give information on the school districts and let them investigate the schools that are attened by each home. The police department should answer any questions concerning crimes or offeneders in differening locations. Direct them to the census bureau should they want information on the make up of the community. There are Fair-housing Laws and it is best to answer persistant questions that could cause a problem with "I’m sorry, but I can’t provide that information. Fair housing laws prevent me from steering people away from or toward a certain neighborhood based on race, color, or other protected categories."
Presented by your Friends & Realtor,
Tony & Dani Lewis RE/MAX of Valencia
www.TonyLewis.com tonyglewis@yahoo.com
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