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Rainmaker
1,844,171
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Doesn't matter what I think, the guy was fined. Something learned.

Aug 04, 2016 09:25 PM
Rainmaker
556,536
Greg Cremia
Shore Realty of the Outer Banks - Nags Head, NC

Don't get me wrong, i am all for fair housing, but at the same time my license is at risk if i negotiate a contract with someone who does not speak the same language and they do not understand the terms of the contract. who should cover the cost of a translator? 

Aug 04, 2016 08:41 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

It was definitely a violation.  I have no idea whether the fine is justified, i.e. high enough or not.  It certainly drives the point home. A

Aug 04, 2016 01:17 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,801
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I believe it is justified. In our area we have bilingual or trilungual agents who can explain and translate for those who signed a lease.  Just did it with a horse boarder.

Aug 04, 2016 11:49 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

That is a pretty stiff fine but what they did wasn't right. I wonder if it was just ignorance or stupidity. 

Aug 04, 2016 11:33 AM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

They should have been fined ZERO.   What are we supposed to do, learn every language on the Planet? 

 

Aug 05, 2016 03:34 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

No idea if it's justified, but it is what it is

Aug 05, 2016 02:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Jeff Pearl National orgin is a protected class. HUD rules the Fair Housing Act.

Aug 04, 2016 11:52 PM
Ambassador
6,392,919
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I always thought that English was our only official language, but I would never turn down a prospect who need a translater, there have been times when I even sought out someone to help with the translation process.

As far as fines, who knows, when govt agencies are involved I dont expect things to be fair or just, we just do what we are told to do.

Aug 04, 2016 11:41 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

ditto to what Lyn said....

Aug 04, 2016 10:52 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,337
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

We now live in a crazy world where things are out of whack! Communication no longer counts. What was the benefit of the fine? Who did it help? Maybe time to exit the management business or just refer it to somene who speaks the language!

Aug 04, 2016 10:25 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I will defer that question to Donald Trump.

Aug 04, 2016 10:04 PM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

I just read the article.  Hmm, I wonder if they will change their policy or hire someone that is bi-lingual.

Aug 04, 2016 08:04 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

We live in a crazy world now.

Aug 04, 2016 03:03 PM
Ambassador
5,048,748
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I think it was fair given the infraction. Do it again? Way more!!

Aug 04, 2016 01:39 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Talk about a fair housing violation!

Aug 04, 2016 12:26 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

That's just not right. That's a fair housing violation. 30K is pretty stiff, but I think the broker deserved it. 

Aug 04, 2016 12:13 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,333
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Wow..definitely an infraction and there should be a stiff penalty.

Aug 04, 2016 12:05 PM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I agree with the fine, not sure if the amount needs to be higher to make the point though. Contracts require comprehension but having your own translator there is sufficient. 

Aug 04, 2016 11:33 AM
Rainmaker
900,108
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Based on the info I have i.e. article, I can't agree with the finding: the lawsuit alleged discrimination "based on national origin", which was not the case. The policy only called for an ADULT who understands what they are signing. I think the judge "overdid it". The firm should have hired a translator, billable to the client, rather than turn them away, if that is what happened. We may not have sufficient information here.

Aug 06, 2016 04:50 AM
Rainmaker
763,783
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

It is too bad that "intent" is not a part of our system.  Mistakes are made and people just don't always know when they are breaking the law.

Aug 06, 2016 03:58 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,878
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

How is it fair housing if the tenant has no comprehension of what they are signing?  How is it fair if they cannot understand the communications from their landlord?

Aug 06, 2016 03:43 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Jeff Pearl - double edge sword - if you do it and even if you don't....

Aug 05, 2016 03:05 PM
Rainmaker
4,935,567
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Wow that is alot but yes he should of been fine that much.

Aug 05, 2016 10:47 AM
Rainmaker
290,969
Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

The lady did have a bilingual daughter, though I don't remember reading if she was living with her mom, meaning someone could translate comments to English and Spanish.  I don't think communication should have been an issue, and that discrimination seems so very wrong Jeff Pearl - I totally understand a fine.  I cannot give a comment on the dollar amount, because I don't know . . . 

Aug 05, 2016 07:36 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Sounds like a broker that needs to find another alternative employment.

Aug 05, 2016 02:54 AM
Rainer
232,019
Jessie Cochran
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Panama City Realty Group

Expensive lesson to learn

Aug 05, 2016 02:36 AM
Rainmaker
4,571,917
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I agree with Lyn Sims.

Aug 04, 2016 11:41 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,113
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

There are many ways to skin the Real Estate cat. The agent got skinned instead...ouch!

Aug 04, 2016 11:25 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

How about putting them out of business...permanently...

Aug 04, 2016 09:15 PM
Rainmaker
7,835,313
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for sharing this information.

Aug 04, 2016 08:59 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Maybe $30,000. per violation

Aug 04, 2016 03:13 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

This has to be some fair housing case!  I'll go click to read it.  

Aug 04, 2016 11:17 AM