Comments on: Let the Realtor procott begin http://360digest.com/2008/12/02/let-the-realtor-procotting-begin/ Seattle Real Estate Blog for those interested in Seattle real estate, popular culture, tech, news and opinion. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:16:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Marlow Harris http://360digest.com/2008/12/02/let-the-realtor-procotting-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-38293 Marlow Harris Sat, 06 Dec 2008 02:53:21 +0000 http://360digest.com/?p=1002#comment-38293 Josh, I could not agree with you more. I am committed to making these issues known and will work to get this information out to our members. I'm sure it's just ignorance rather than malice, but I will make inquiries and write about my efforts here. Josh, I could not agree with you more. I am committed to making these issues known and will work to get this information out to our members. I’m sure it’s just ignorance rather than malice, but I will make inquiries and write about my efforts here.

]]> By: Josh Friedes http://360digest.com/2008/12/02/let-the-realtor-procotting-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-38291 Josh Friedes Sat, 06 Dec 2008 02:04:54 +0000 http://360digest.com/?p=1002#comment-38291 The realtors PAC has crossed the line in my opinion. Their mailings in support of candidates who oppose basic civil rights for Washington's gay families suggest that the candidates are good for neighborhoods and families. If the realtors PAC wants to support a candidate because of their position on zoning laws or other such matters they should say that. But the Realtor's PAC should not mislead the public by suggesting that a candidate who would deny Washington families basic civil rights is good for families or neighborhoods. While realtors can treat their clients with equal respect, the law does not allow clients in same-sex relationships to be treated equally. It's harder for gay and lesbian couples to qualify for mortgages--because they are not married--and often they have to get duplicate insurance, and the list of things that make it harder for same sex couples to buy homes goes on and on. I would think that realtors would have a vested interest--and value--in making sure that people who can afford homes and want to be homeowners are not excluded because of discrimination. This made Gregoire the better candidate on this issue. I hope realtors will challenge both who the PAC supports and the tactics it uses. I hope clients will seek out realtors who can demonstrate a commitment to civil rights for all Washington families. This is not a matter of politics or religion, but a matter of basic human rights. The realtors PAC has crossed the line in my opinion. Their mailings in support of candidates who oppose basic civil rights for Washington’s gay families suggest that the candidates are good for neighborhoods and families. If the realtors PAC wants to support a candidate because of their position on zoning laws or other such matters they should say that. But the Realtor’s PAC should not mislead the public by suggesting that a candidate who would deny Washington families basic civil rights is good for families or neighborhoods.

While realtors can treat their clients with equal respect, the law does not allow clients in same-sex relationships to be treated equally. It’s harder for gay and lesbian couples to qualify for mortgages–because they are not married–and often they have to get duplicate insurance, and the list of things that make it harder for same sex couples to buy homes goes on and on.

I would think that realtors would have a vested interest–and value–in making sure that people who can afford homes and want to be homeowners are not excluded because of discrimination. This made Gregoire the better candidate on this issue.

I hope realtors will challenge both who the PAC supports and the tactics it uses. I hope clients will seek out realtors who can demonstrate a commitment to civil rights for all Washington families. This is not a matter of politics or religion, but a matter of basic human rights.

]]> By: Marlow Harris http://360digest.com/2008/12/02/let-the-realtor-procotting-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-38280 Marlow Harris Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:15:11 +0000 http://360digest.com/?p=1002#comment-38280 Thank you for pointing that out. I think it's worth a phone call to my local chapter. Thank you for pointing that out. I think it’s worth a phone call to my local chapter.

]]> By: Jake http://360digest.com/2008/12/02/let-the-realtor-procotting-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-38279 Jake Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:43:54 +0000 http://360digest.com/?p=1002#comment-38279 I thought it was pretty interesting that in the NAR Pledge, in Article 10, it does not have sexual orientation listed. "Article 10- REALTORS® give equal professional service to all clients and customers irrespective of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin." I thought it was pretty interesting that in the NAR Pledge, in Article 10, it does not have sexual orientation listed.

“Article 10-
REALTORS® give equal professional service to all clients and customers irrespective of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.”

]]> By: Marlow Harris http://360digest.com/2008/12/02/let-the-realtor-procotting-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-38240 Marlow Harris Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:45:57 +0000 http://360digest.com/?p=1002#comment-38240 It is kind of scary going out on a limb, but then I figure I wouldn't want to work with bigots anyway, so who cares? It is kind of scary going out on a limb, but then I figure I wouldn’t want to work with bigots anyway, so who cares?

]]> By: Geordie Romer http://360digest.com/2008/12/02/let-the-realtor-procotting-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-38239 Geordie Romer Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:16:31 +0000 http://360digest.com/?p=1002#comment-38239 Thank you for this. I rarely let my politics show (or my religion) because I am happy to work with buyers and sellers of all political stripes. However, when it comes to civil rights, I think it is important for us all to stand up and be counted. Hatred and bigotry have no place in this great country of ours. Thank you for this. I rarely let my politics show (or my religion) because I am happy to work with buyers and sellers of all political stripes.

However, when it comes to civil rights, I think it is important for us all to stand up and be counted. Hatred and bigotry have no place in this great country of ours.

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