MLK Day and Fair Housing Laws

I was driving into the office this morning contemplating what it means to me that it’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day today. My thoughts swirled around and settled on how his vision affects my life as a Realtor, which lead me to think about the Fair Housing Laws.
When I am out showing property just about every buyer has the same question, “So, Matt, who lives in this neighborhood?” The question is often followed with a more specific question about the demographics. Some people want to live in an area where there are more people of their own race, religion or cultural heritage. Others have the opposite view and say that they do not want to live in an area which is comprised of a particular demographic.
The Fair Housing Laws prohibit us Realtors from answering either of the above questions. The Florida state statute Fla. Stat. §§ 760.20-760.60 - Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, familial status, or religion. In real estate school we learn that we sell real estate, not people. My response to any such question is, “I cannot talk about who lives here.”
How we answer buyers questions about who lives in a neighborhood is one of the ultimate tests of integrity for a real estate agent. Imagine this scenario: You are trying to sell your home and you live in a cul-de-sac. On your street there are ten homes owned by people who are as diverse as our nation. If your listing agent or any of the buyers agents were to answer the questions posed to them about who lives there, what is the probability that your home sells for its true value? Whether a buyer wants to be near a certain demographic or away from another demographic, neither of those scenarios exist on this street. Even at the risk of being redundant it is critical that we continue to answer any questions simply and succinctly, “I cannot talk about who lives here.”
To quote Dr. King, “I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” The Fair Housing Laws expanded upon his vision and we real estate agents need to make sure we follow them to the letter.