What questions can R.E. Agents legally answer?

[garth]

So what is this, "professional standards of practice" you referenced? Is it codified law, or is it something established by the National Association of Realtors? Please educate me on the words that you used.

If it's law, I have yet to read any law that prohibits a real estate agent from complying with a buyer's direction as has been discussed. I see a lot about sellers, advertising and availability, but nothing about buyers and their directions to a real estate agent. It doesn't seem prohibited from what I've read.

If it's NAR modes of conduct, it doesn't rise to the level of codified law. If that's the case, it raises other issues of an industry political organization, with a lock on the majority of available real estate, and their efforts to affect otherwise legal conduct that they dislike and to deny access to real estate if someone holds a divergent opinion.

Geeze, I wish I could find that old article I mentioned. I've been looking without success so far, but I know I didn't dream it.

So, please educate me. Thanks.

[Silverfall]

What your saying is, with a wink and a nod, a buyer working with you can make it perfectly clear that they need your help avoiding neighborhoods with certain races or religions, and that you're happy to condone that behavior and assist, so long as they do a bit of the homework for you so you can stay just a hair on what you think is the right side of the technical line.

Forums are really difficult to express ideas as they get misinterpreted. First of all, I never have had a wink and a nod with anyone, and I find that highly offensive terminology. I can also say that this issue has never come up for me because most people don't buy houses based on race or religion.

I don't condone racism but someone has the right to believe what they believe. I don't think I am treading on a thin line. I respect people's right to choose, even when I think their choice is idiotic. They still have the right to be idiotic. What I don't do is tell people what they should do. If someone came to me and said, "Melina, I want to live on Z Street because my 5 Hispanic friends live on that street." Yes, I would help them look for homes on Z Street. If they define themselves based on their race and choose to restrict themselves that way, that is their choice. I don't think this is thin ice at all. It is clear. Agents get themselves into trouble when someone says "I want to live in a neighborhood with all the Hispanics" and then the agent proceeds to define what is Hispanic. That is the problem.

I don't do winks and nods...Some people are just more comfortable being around people with similar heritages and cultures. I just respect my clients wishes.

Someone brought up sellers, and that is a whole different ballgame. Sellers need to sell to whomever brings them an acceptable offer.