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Ask HN: Is it racist for real estate agents to appeal to a certain race in ads?
For example, their signs often include pictures and names that reveal the race of the agents and the likely race of the people selling their house.
Also, some real estate agent ads include one language other than English to appeal to a particular race.
Isn't this racist?
- ofalkaed 4y agoNo. Do you think agents should be race free (what ever that would be) or something? Why would having another language on an ad be racist? that is just increasing the perspective buyers and language is not race.
- amichail 4y agoYou can put the name of the real estate agent company and omit photos/names. Would you feel welcome if a for sale sign is targeted towards another race?
- ofalkaed 4y agoSo the agent who lists the property can not attach their identity to the sale? What about independent agents? should they be banned from using their name as their company name? You have yet to demonstrate these signs are actually targeting race beyond saying "they are not my race!" nor have I ever felt threatened by a for sale sign.
- amichail 4y agoWhat is the point of photos of real estate agents on for sale signs?
- smoldesu 4y agoRealtors are independent laborers, it's like putting yourself on a law office ad or a TV spot for a car dealership. They don't need to put a picture of the house on it because the house is right there, and contact info is usually right below it. People see it as an opportunity for free marketing, and take it.
- ofalkaed 4y agoBecause when they do an open house everyone will know who the agent is?
- alex_lav 4y agoThis is very likely the wrong community to ask
- uberman 4y agoI've not seen an ad that featured any kind of reference to the seller's identity other than when the seller was some kind of celebrity. Perhaps it is different where you live. It is quite common where I live to see a head shot of the seller's agent. I have always wondered why that is the case, but I assume there is some sort of reputation thing going on or perhaps an ad by the agent for future business. I have never considered that to be a race motivated thing. When I see an ad by or featuring non-English appeals, I assume that the seller's agent has a reputation and experience in dealing with that kind of client. Again, I don't see this a necessarily racist but rather potentially catering to a target market that might not be served by English agents. For example, if I was seeking a condo in Hong Kong, I would almost certainly use a buyer's agent that had experience working with English clients. Same if I was selling. If my selling agent advertised in English then I could verify that my listing was correct and that per-sale correspondence with potential buyers was correct. NOW. and it is a big now.. If an agent where to say to me "This neighborhood or building is not for you, perhaps you want look at English Town" or if they pre-filtered me out of otherwise good matches because I was English or Chinese or Black or White. Then that is completely illegal. This is something that has personally happened to me by the way. When my wife and I were looking for a place in Philadelphia, our buyer's agent essentially guided us away from places that fit our needs to places that were a compromise but fit our demographics. I was too young at the time and naïve to see that as the problem it was.
- dmbche 4y agoWhat? Are you saying that people putting their names on signs is racist if their name "reveals their race"?