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In choosing a realtor, always make sure you know what your agent can and cannot do for you. There are federal and state regulations that govern or affecting a realtor’s actions.

The Federal Fair Housing was specifically designed in prevention of discrimination. The Fair Housing Act was created was contained in the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and changed by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988. The seven classes which comprise the race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap and familial status protected by the Fair Housing Act.

There are some requests that a realtor cannot address from their clients because that is against the law. For example, if a Muslim individual asks a realtor to find a home nearby to a mosque in a certain community, the realtor cannot be able to address the request. The realtor also can’t take into consideration the request to be located near a mosque. The realtor can’t even advertise that a listing is around the corner from a mosque.

Questions about about the ethnic make-up of a neighborhood cannot be answered by realtors. One example is, don’t expect your realtor to show you homes in neighborhoods that mainly comprised of African-Americans, Caucasians, Latino’s, American Indians or any other ethnicity or race. You must present these requests to your realtor.

When it comes to advertising, the realtor must avoid words used represent any protected classes. Here are the following words are not suitable and could violate Fair Housing laws. Do not ask your realtor to use these words:

Section eight, Couples, Mothers, Singles only, Handicapped, Bachelor apartment, Seniors, Married, Mature, Integrated

These are just some list of words that are used. Do not bother to ask a realtor if you feel what you are asking is discriminating.

Lastly, do not ask your realtor questions regarding crime statistics of that certain place. Realtors that are smart will directly point you to the police department or other basis of information. Your realtor should never reveal crime statistics or say a neighborhood is a relatively safe place to live, even if the realtor think there is a fact about it.

What Are The Main Designations of the Realtors?

Now that you already have a realtor. That realtor has probably mentioned belonging to certain realtor designations. You may wonder what this all means? Well, let us proceed in examining what type of designations your realtor might belong to and what they mean.

GRI Graduate Realtor Institute This designation is supported by the National Association of Realtors and propose through state realtor associations, agents who is longing for a GRI designation must be able to complete a minimum of 90 to 95 hours of coursework referring to the state that licenses them, and pass the exams. Education wraps law, practice, finance, taxes, exchanges and more. Other qualifications to acquire this designation is composed of: Membership of the National Association of Realtors Membership of the state association of realtors Membership of the local board of realtors

E-PRO Certified Internet Professional This is supported by the National Association of Realtors. E-PRO is an online course about using e-mal, steering the Internet and incorporating digital services into the workplace. Realtors must be able to pass an online exam.

ABR Accredited Buyer Representative This is an online self-pace course for real estate agents who characterize buyers as a buyer’s agent. Unlike exclusive buyer’s agents who never represent sellers, an agent who has received this designation may choose to work as a listing agent or a buyer’s agent.

ACRE Accredited Consultant in Real Estate This designation is offered through a private company formed by realtors, Accredited Consultant in Real Estate. Agents download the course book, read and take the exam online. This course teaches agents how to use a consulting approach versus a sales approach.

ACR Accredited Seller Representative Offered through Realty U Online, this course is designed to enhnace a listing agent’s professionalism and refine the dimension of service to sellers. Agents can choose between online or in-class courses and must be able to pass the exam.

Matt Franklin is a real estate investor based in Texas. He writes widely about issues related to real estate and finance both in the US and in the UK. His current interests currently span real estate markets affected by the global recession like the sell and rent back market and how it is evolving based on recent UK government regulation.