QUAD CITIES REAL ESTATE WITH RE/MAX

SERVING THE ENTIRE IOWA AND ILLINOIS QUAD CITIES ............................................................

DAVENPORT - BETTENDORF - ROCK ISLAND - MOLINE AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

TOM & CYNDEE BROWNER - CRS, ABR, GRI

BROKER OWNERS OF RE/MAX BI-STATE - SERVING IOWA & ILLINOIS

1-563-388-0008 Office - 1-563-388-0083 Fax - 1-866-388-0083 Toll Free - 1-563-570-7629 Cell - 355-1616 Home

Have a question? The answer is just a call or e-mail away. Contact us at tom&cyndee@quadcitiesrealestate.com

We know you want to sell your home for the most money, in the shortest time and with with least inconvenience. If you want serious advertising and effort from your agent, call or contact us for a FREE MARKET ANALYSIS of your present home. We are both Certified Residential Specialist by the Residential Sales Council. No obligation, of course. Call us on our private line at 570-7629 at RE/MAX BI-STATE or Contact us at tom&cyndee@quadcitiesrealestate.com - LOOKING TO BUY? Check out the services an Accredited Buyers Representative can mean to you.

Our Goal is to provide you with the most up to date information and Exemplary Service at all times. Homes are an important decision and a long term investment. When Your Money Matters, you need and deserve the most competent professional help available. We strive to always be on top of the market and to further our education's, that we may be knowledgeable to give you the best service and advice at all times.

FAIR HOUSING LAWS

Fair Housing means that every person has the same opportunities to purchase, lease or occupy residential real property. To insure this end, the Federal Government protects all people from discriminatory treatment based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status and national origin. This means that no one can refuse to show, sell or rent a property, treat someone different, encourage panic selling or blockbusting, use steering, discriminatory advertising or statements, threats or otherwise interfere with a person's fair housing rights.

As a seller, the only thing you should concern yourself with is the price you receive for your property and what you will net after paying off your mortgage and other expenses. Unfortunately, there are some sellers who wish to dictate to whom their property will be sold. Not only is this illegal under Federal laws, but they can be sued and the courts can not only award actual damages but also civil and punitive damages to anyone that discriminates on the basis of race or color or national origin.

The Civil Rights act of 1866 specifically guaranteed that all U S Citizens have the right to inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold and convey real and personal property as enjoyed by white persons. In 1896, separate but equal was established as law, but in 1954 this was overturned by Brown v Topeka Board of Education. Title VIII of the 1968 Civil Rights Act specifically prohibited discrimination in housing and was the beginning of a very comprehensive body of statutes governing private and public housing in the United States. This was modified to add sexual discrimination protection in 1974 and in 1988 handicap and familial status were added as protected classes. Many states and municipalities have added other protected classes to the Federal minimum mandates.

No one can discriminate on the basis of color, race or national origin. There are a few exceptions under the law. For Sale by Owners can be exempted if they do not own or have ownership interest in more than three single family houses at any one time. The house to be sold or rented must be without a Real Estate agent, broker, or any other person in the business of selling or renting dwellings. The owner does not reside in the property at the time of the sale or was not the most recent resident prior to the sale. It also requires the owner to only sell one such property within any 24 month period. The house must be sold or rented without the use of any discriminatory language or advertising. If the property is owner occupied, and leasing space, they may discriminate as long as they have four or fewer units and use no discriminatory language or advertising.

There are a few other exceptions. Religious organizations, private clubs have exemptions under the fair housing laws. Religious organizations and private clubs that own dwellings may restrict purchase, leasing or occupancy to their religion or members of their club. Exempt dwellings may not be used for commercial purposes. Religious membership can not be restricted because of race, color or national origin. Elderly only communities can restrict by age. This goes for senior housing that is provided under federal or state programs. It also covers housing intended for only persons over the age of 62. Housing designated for persons over the age of 55 can also be exempted if at least 80 percent of the occupied units has at least one person over the age of 55. The community must also demonstrate their intent to be housing for people over the age of 55 by published policies and setting procedures that show this intent. The housing facility must also conform with HUD regulations for the verification of occupancy. Advertising must avoid "adult" and other personal descriptions. Senior or senior housing is allowed.

Any time an agent or broker is used to market a property, the seller is not allowed to discriminate against any of the protected not exempted classes. To do so opens the seller, agent and brokerage to a law suite and the suite can be brought by anyone, including government testers.

The Fair Housing Act applies to all residential property and vacant land that can be used for housing. Condominiums, cooperatives and houses in homeowner associations are covered the the law. All housing associations are subject to the law. Violations can cause a complaint to be placed with HUD. A Administrative Law Judge may then make a decision if found guilty, assess fines for actual damages, civil damages and punitive damages. Appeals would go to Federal Circuit Court. Even if you finally win, your attorney cost etc. could be a hundred thousand dollars. If you lose, your cost plus the fines.

In short, do not even think about discrimination against any of the protected classes. You are moving and the only thing that should concern you is the offer price and the net dollars you will receive.

REAL ESTATE MAIN MENU - TOCYNBRO HOME PAGE