Population Diversity Question For Triangle Realtors (Raleigh, Durham: neighborhoods, buyer, school)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I am aware that by law, Realtors cannot discuss a neighborhood's diversity make-up. However, this information can be very important to a buyer, especially in this area due to it's very diverse population. A buyer in this area may want to move into a neighborhood that has a particular mix of people, such as 40% white, 40% black 20% other. If your client is specifically looking for diversity and asks you the question, what are you allowed to say and what information do you normally provide?
We are allowed to say "Fair Housing prohibits me from discussing race, creed, color, religion, sex, handicapping conditions, national origin and familial status.
That is THE LAW. You don't mess around with the Federal Government!
We are allowed to say "Fair Housing prohibits me from discussing race, creed, color, religion, sex, handicapping conditions, national origin and familial status.
That is THE LAW. You don't mess around with the Federal Government!
Vicki
Vicki, is this a national law, or only in NC? I had never heard of it prior to moving here. I do understand the theory behind it though. I have to say, while looking at multiple properites, NC would be proud - every realtor we met abided by this law.
From time to time, Fair Housing actually sends people to check out different areas. We were told last year that Fair Housing was checking out Raleigh and Durham. I think they take the complaints they get and decide which area needs to be checked out.
We are allowed to say "Fair Housing prohibits me from discussing race, creed, color, religion, sex, handicapping conditions, national origin and familial status.
That is THE LAW. You don't mess around with the Federal Government!
Vicki
Vicki has given the answer verbatim that we are allowed to give. And it always amazes me how many people get irritated by that response. I've had folks try to argue me down about this. Less often about racial make-up of a neighborhood, more often about not being able to say how many families with children live in the neighborhood (I work onsite for a builder, so of course know exactly who lives in the n'hood).
Number of children falls in the Familial Status category. While I completely understand that families with children ask this question because they want to live where other families with children live, I still am not allowed by federal law to give out this info.
Some folks would ask this question because they do not want to live around kids, hence the risk of possible discrimination based on familial status.
Realtors are well educated on the horrors of violating this federal law. The penalties are very stiff and apparently a heart felt "I'm sorry" will not sway the feds into being lenient.
I think alot of people just don't understand WHY we can't comment on those that are PROTECTED by Fair Housing Laws. Therefore, I think some people do get a bit angry. Of course, once I explain the WHY involved, they do understand.
As HappyNCGirl stated, it is mainly those people that WANT to know if kids are in the neighborhood that are frustrated by the law. Fair Housing protects those under 18 years old from being discriminated AGAINST. I don't agree with me not being able to explain to my clients whether or not a neighborhood has kids but that is the law, so I abide by it. Hubby and kids would not like it if they had to take care of themselves if I were in Realtor Jail!
I personally think not being able to tell people this info is totally BS, but that is why we have message boards like this and others. If you really want to find out you can spend time in those neighborhoods, but if that is not possible you can go to various internet sites and messgae boards to find out this information.
Thanks for the responses so far. I totally understand that a Realtor does not want to get anywhere near breaking a Federal law.
Unfortunately, I think laws can go too far at times. As a buyer that DOES NOT want to live in a neighborhood absolutely loaded with kids, I wish I had an easy way to find out how many are there, besides sitting outside when the school bus rolls by. I don't understand how a person choosing a neighborhood that has a lack of children, so they can live more quietly, could possibly be considered discrimination against the kids. I remember a time in America when we actually had the right to live where we wanted to for whatever reason we wanted to.
I remember a time in America when we actually had the right to live where we wanted to for whatever reason we wanted to.
You still do. Nothing is stopping you from living where you want to live. It's just up to you the buyer to do your own research.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
