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.

Realtors cannot address some requests from their clients because that is against the law. For example, if a Muslim person asks a realtor to find a home close to a mosque in a certain community, the realtor cannot accommodate 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.

Realtors must not answer questions about the ethnic make-up of a neighborhood. For example, don’t expect your realtor to show you homes in neighborhoods comprised primarily of African-Americans, Caucasians, Latino’s, American Indians or any other ethnicity or race. You must present these requests to your realtor.

In advertising a realtor must abstain from using words used to symbolize any protected classes. The following words are unsuitable and could infringe 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 a couple of the many words that are used. If you feel that what you are asking your realtor is at all discriminating, don’t even bother to ask.

Lastly, do not ask your realtor for crime statistics of an area. Smart realtors will direct you to the police department or other sources of information. Your realtor should never disclose crime statistics or say a neighborhood is a relatively safe place to live, even if the realtor believes this to be true.

What are the 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 commended by the National Association of Realtors and suggested through state realtor associations, agents who need a GRI designation must complete a minimum of 90 to 95 hours of coursework relating to the state that licenses them, and pass the exams. Education envelops law, practice, finance, taxes, exchanges and more. Other qualifications to attain this designation include: 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 represent buyers as a buyer’s agent. Unlike exclusive buyer’s agents who never represent sellers, an agent who has earned this designation may elect to work as a listing agent or a buyer’s agent.

ACRE Accredited Consultant in Real Estate This designation is offered via a private company comprised by realtors, Accredited Consultant in Real Estate. Agents download the course book, read and take the exam online. This course helps in teaching 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 increase or enhance a listing agent’s professionalism and refine the dimension of service to sellers. Agents can choose whether to go online or in-class courses and are required 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.