Realtor being charged with illegal discrimation

[GRDadof3]

Since there may be more than a few realtors who peruse this site, let this be a warning:

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6364544

He refused to let the family in to see a house because the guy was in a wheelchair. A family moving here from Texas. Eeesh. Welcome to Grand Rapids.

Apparently he had two previous FHA complaints filed against him, and refused to send one of his agents for discrimination training for the second.

If you are working with a realtor and you feel they are illegally discriminating, or "steering" you away from particular neighborhoods because of the color of your skin (whether you're white, black or any other race), or any of the other protected classes, you need to turn these realtors in to the Fair Housing Commission. They are breaking federal laws.

[AlexPKeaton]

Not only that, but it seemed like he had some excited potential buyers there! Prior engagement or not, I'd bet most agents would be a little late if they knew they they have a good chance to find a buyer.

[GRDadof3]

Well, and the fact that he told the guy he couldn't come in because he didn't want his wheelchair wheels to get the carpet dirty is what did him in. If someone were blind, would you tell them not to come in for fear of running into a wall and dinging it? Or if you had a gay couple come, would you not let them in for fear of what the neighbors might think? Put down plastic in the winter then if you're having an open house, or provide "wipes" for people with wheelchairs. I have a family member in a wheelchair and he would not at all be offended if he were asked to "wipe down his wheels" before going on carpet. He knows they get dirty and leave marks like muddy shoes do, but he can't take his shoes off like the rest of us.

The interesting thing too is that this realtor is hispanic. How would he feel if there were "no hispanics allowed" signs on homes for sale?

[mgreven]

Not only that, but it seemed like he had some excited potential buyers there! Prior engagement or not, I'd bet most agents would be a little late if they knew they they have a good chance to find a buyer.

[AlexPKeaton]

Hopefully every REALTOR

[tamias6]

My thoughts on this are one: discriminating against a disable person let alone anybody is a low blow and two: in a housing industry that has gone bust, Realtors are in a position where baggers can't be choosers. Conclusion: Bob Ortiz just got added to my List of Idiots and Morons.

[mgreven]

... will continue to grow until Reators

[Chelle D]

wow... everytime you think things are better then you hear something like this. It makes no sense. Especially in the market we are in today (not that money should have trumped his "idiotness", but it should have helped him hold his tongue a little.)

[snappdragon]

wow... everytime you think things are better then you hear something like this. It makes no sense. Especially in the market we are in today (not that money should have trumped his "idiotness", but it should have helped him hold his tongue a little.)