June 3rd 2024.
Dr. Raven Baxter, a well-respected molecular biologist and science educator, had been ecstatic when she came across what she thought was her dream condominium in Virginia Beach. However, her excitement quickly turned to disappointment and frustration when she learned that the seller, an 84-year-old white woman named Jane Walker, had reservations about selling to her because of the color of her skin.
As reported by the New York Times, Dr. Baxter was informed by her broker, Bill Loftis, that Walker had changed her mind about the $749,000 deal because she had discovered that Dr. Baxter was Black. Shocked and disheartened, Dr. Baxter shared her experience on her social media account, sparking a much-needed conversation about racism in the real estate industry.
The incident raised concerns about the effectiveness of federal laws that were put in place to combat discrimination in the housing market. According to research, a disturbingly high number of real estate agents engage in racial steering, where they guide potential buyers towards or away from certain neighborhoods based on their race.
Dr. Baxter, determined to take action, filed a claim of discrimination with the Virginia Fair Housing Office and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She also sought advice from a civil rights attorney. However, it was discovered that her real estate agent, Wayne Miller, had not advised her to file a claim using the Fair Housing Act, as he should have.
Despite this, Dr. Baxter remained hopeful that the sale would still go through. She had fallen in love with the beautiful and unique home, which was just a short walk from the beach. However, when she and her boyfriend, Ronald Gamble, a theoretical astrophysicist at NASA, visited the property in person, Walker made it clear that she did not want to sell to a Black person.
Despite the efforts of both real estate agents to salvage the deal, it seemed that Walker's discriminatory views would prevent the sale from happening. Eventually, Dr. Baxter received an email from Barbara Walcott, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway RW Towne Realty, who was managing the sale. Walcott reassured Dr. Baxter that the seller's attitude was not tolerated by their organization.
However, this incident has left a lasting impact on Dr. Baxter, who believes her civil rights have been violated. According to housing discrimination experts, there may be consequences for both real estate agents involved in this transaction, regardless of whether the sale goes through or not. It serves as a reminder that racism and discrimination still exist in the real estate industry, and more needs to be done to combat it.
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