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What could possibly be wrong with love letters? 

Love letters…

“Dear Seller,  We love your house! I can just picture my children running down the stairs on Christmas morning for years to come. We are so blessed to have grandparents visit often and there is enough room for our growing family in this perfect layout. We hope our family can enjoy and care for this home as much as you did over the years”  – Potential Buyer

This letter not only reveals the potential buyer’s familial status, but also their religion, both of which are protected characteristics under fair housing laws. Using protected characteristics as a basis to accept or reject an offer, as opposed to price and terms, would violate the Fair Housing Act.

What could possibly be wrong with love letters?  Those little notes that accompany offers from potential buyers may be unwittingly violating fair housing laws by those receiving and/or reading them. While they may seem harmless, these letters often contain personal information and reveal characteristics of the buyer, such as race, religion, or familial status, which could then be used, knowingly or through unconscious bias, as an unlawful basis for a seller’s decision to accept or reject an offer.

Upholding Fair Housing laws isn’t just something that real estate agents must do – it is a legal obligation that also applies to sellers, landlords, property managers, mortgage brokers, and anyone involved in real estate transactions.

A seller or seller’s agent can’t tell if a letter contains information about a protected class unless they receive and read it – and that very act exposes both to liability. … Read on

What is RPAC?

RPAC (REALTOR Political Action Committee) is a voluntary political action committee whose membership consists of REALTORS® interested in actively and effectively protecting the real estate industry and the dream of homeownership by participating in government affairs at the local, state and federal levels.

So, what does RPAC do?

Since 1969, the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) has promoted the election of pro-REALTOR® candidates across the United States. The purpose of RPAC is clear: REALTORS® raise and spend money to elect candidates who understand and support their interests. The money to accomplish this comes from voluntary contributions made by REALTORS®. These are not members’ dues; this is money given freely by REALTORS® in recognition of how important campaign fundraising is to the political process. RPAC doesn’t buy votes. RPAC enables REALTORS® to support candidates that support the issues that are important to their profession and livelihood.

“If real estate is your profession, then politics is your business.”

The REALTOR® Party needs your support, both in responding to calls-to-action and investing in RPAC. We know politics and legislation can be a difficult topic, but if we don’t get involved, who will champion homeownership? Now more than ever, it is critical for REALTORS® to come together and speak with one voice about the stability a sound and dynamic real estate market brings to our communities. From city hall to the state house to the US Capitol, our elected officials are making decisions that have a huge impact on the bottom line of you and your customers.

… Read on