I’m black. Will I have trouble getting past a co-op board?
Even in 2006, you can still hear shocking stories of racism that violates both human dignity and fair housing laws. But the real truth is that if you’re a minority, the discrimination kicks in long BEFORE you get to the co-op board.
In a report issued by the National Fair Housing Alliance , the Alliance argued that blacks were shown fewer properties than whites: an average of five properties per black tester, versus eight per white tester.
So that’s where the discrimination starts: in what you don’t see.
Now I don’t necessarily want to be besieged by black clients each wanting to be shown eight properties — any good real estate agent that you’re communicating with honestly ought to be able to score you the perfect home in five. One reason I went withGil Neary as my sponsoring broker is that he sold me my first home after showing my only two places and my second after showing me four.
But you should, as a buyer of whatever race or color, be being shown properties you like.
and I’m always happy to show them to you.
email me: ali@dgneary{DOT}com