Decided to Report A Likely Case Of Racism Today

[Skid Row Joe]

I've been interested in a prime piece of rather pricey and vacant real estate in an area that I had had my eye on for quite some time. I was in the vicinity today when I noticed that A) it had a FS sign in front of the property, and, B) there were a number of cars in the street out front of the property.

I was gleeful when I approached the front entryway of the property to be one of the first to view the property, as a real estate representative was just unlocking the premises for two individuals. I greeted the other shoppers, as well as the agent with the key. When the agent noticed me they asked me who I was - I said that I was interested in buying the property and wanted to view the premises. The agent immediately retorted that they; "were not comfortable in showing me the property," and; "I'm not comfortable with you in the property." The agent immediately shuffled the two individuals in, and summarily closed the door.

From what I could observe, among all of us, there were three to four races present in the entryway to the property. I immediately called the real estate firm listed on the signage, and requested an immediate showing. It took the listing agency a couple hours to arrive at this remote location, where I once again arrived at the property.

Before the agent even opened up the property, I described the situation I encountered by another agent earlier in the day. I requested that the broker owner contact the broker owner of the particular agency that had told me that "they were not comfortable showing me the property," and; "I'm not comfortable with you in the property." I apprised the agent that I thought that I was being denied because of my race, as what else could it be, from the situation I described? The agent said they would convey my request to the broker to do the contacting. I said I would follow-up with the broker to be certain the message was conveyed for what could be a horrible situation for the agent that denied entry based on what was said by that agent.

[Jim B.]

I dunno

Maybe I'd go burn a cross on the front lawn.

Or something.

Maybe our feminist friend could help figure out what to do.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by Jim B.

I dunno

Maybe I'd go burn a cross on the front lawn.

Or something.

Maybe our feminist friend could help figure out what to do.

Jim, I don't think that appropriate, nor legal......much less would help solve the situation created by the agent who denied me access by saying; "I'm not comfortable showing you the property."

I must admit I was taken aback by exactly what the agent said. I have a feeling the agent's broker will also have a problem with what their personal representative said to me.....they could have some sizeable problem(s) on their hands soon.

[TylerH860]

Was the broker a buyers representative or the listing agent? Was the agent a female?

Would make sense for a female, buyers agent to feel uncomfortable with a random person wanting to view a property, especially if they already have a client.

I would be ticked off if I were shopping for property and my Realtor let anyone in with me.

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Was the broker a buyers representative or the listing agent? Was the agent a female?

Would make sense for a female, buyers agent to feel uncomfortable with a random person wanting to view a property, especially if they already have a client.

I would be ticked off if I were shopping for property and my Realtor let anyone in with me.

Very good points, actually. I never thought of those.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Was the broker a buyers representative or the listing agent? Was the agent a female?

Would make sense for a female, buyers agent to feel uncomfortable with a random person wanting to view a property, especially if they already have a client.

I would be ticked off if I were shopping for property and my Realtor let anyone in with me.

ALL sexes were represented. BOTH sexes were represented by the other shoppers.

To quote Hillary; "what difference does it make?" Because the particular make-up of the sexes, made NO difference in this case.

Next?

[JB3]

what is this nonsense?

you show up suddenly when an agent is showing a pair of clients the property, and expect to be let in?
was it an open house or not? sure doesnt sound like it. you want to get in, you schedule an appointment like every other person, or wait till an open house. dont jump on someone elses showing.

if it wasnt an open house, no way in hell are they letting some random guy in with the people who had scheduled the showing.

racism? ridiculous.
i wouldnt have let you in either. no f-in way am i randomly showing something to a guy off the street like that.

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

Jim, I don't think that appropriate, nor legal......much less would help solve the situation created by the agent who denied me access by saying; "I'm not comfortable showing you the property."

I must admit I was taken aback by exactly what the agent said. I have a feeling the agent's broker will also have a problem with what their personal representative said to me.....they could have some sizeable problem(s) on their hands soon.

I'D PICK MY BATTLES MORE CAREFULLY.

Maybe if you can't sleep over it, get up in the morning and vomit, ect. you'd have some actionable damages.

I'd just forget it, go hire a different broker's agent at some other Real Estate office, and Let THEM show you the house.

No shortage of Realtors out there. They are all over the place, the worst of them even actually read the obits. then go to funerals and ask grief-stricken widows to list their house with them.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Very good points, actually. I never thought of those.

N/A

Not applicable (non-issue) in this case, as BOTH sexes were represented IN the other shoppers.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by Jim B.

I'D PICK MY BATTLES MORE CAREFULLY.

Maybe if you can't sleep over it, get up in the morning and vomit, ect. you'd have some actionable damages.

I'd just forget it, go hire a different broker's agent at some other Real Estate office, and Let THEM show you the house.

No shortage of Realtors out there. They are all over the place, the worst of them even actually read the obits. then go to funerals and ask grief-stricken widows to list their house with them.

May or may not become a battle. If you saw the make up of the races present, among ALL individuals, you would have a hard time thinking it was anything other than race.

[TylerH860]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

ALL sexes were represented. BOTH sexes were represented by the other shoppers.

To quote Hillary; "what difference does it make?" Because the particular make-up of the sexes, made NO difference in this case.

Next?

It would be rude of her not to give her client's individual attention during a showing. If she's a buyer's agent, (most likely) her relationship with a client is very important.

The professional thing to have done was for her to give you a business card and ask to follow up to schedule an additional appointment, but given the unorthodox circumstances that you presented her with, I can understand her being abrupt.

[JB3]

a realtor appearing with their client has a contractural obligation to their client specifically. they make money if THEIR client decides to buy, which is why they did not let you in. you are not that realtors client, to try and force your way in on top of a scheduled showing already in place is in extremely bad taste. showing you the place at the same time is in no way beneficial to them in the least. what if you decide to buy after they show it to you? they dont get their fee.

if you want to just show up, thats what open houses are for. this is basic stuff.

to call it racism is the stupidest thing ive read on this forum in a long time

[TylerH860]

Skid Row Joe Presents: A Raisin in the Sun.

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

N/A

Not applicable (non-issue) in this case, as BOTH sexes were represented IN the other shoppers.

OK, got that. No "sexism", but only our feminist, uh, friend and expert is a qualified arbiter of that.

But the thread title claims RACISM. You never addressed that.

Possibly you were perceived as a stranger - and unless it was an open house, it was probably shown by appointment only and it was others not you that made one, so if the agent thought you were trying to get in on the other folks' coat tails, it was alright not to let you in.

That sound reasonable?

[INSIDIOUS]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

...snip ... From what I could observe, among all of us, there were three to four races present in the entryway to the property. snip

Which races were those? How many races do you think there are? What race are you (if that is not to personal a question) ?