NC REALTORS®, representing over 50,000 REALTORS® who reside in diverse communities across North Carolina, embodies our REALTOR® Code of Ethics, the governing document which protects the housing rights of all people, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We embrace equality and inclusivity, honoring individuals and respecting differing perspectives to reach common goals for the betterment of all. Racism and discrimination have no home in North Carolina.

Adopted by the NC REALTORS® Board of Directors in October 2020

Print a copy of the REALTOR® Fair Housing Declaration and post it in your office and/or association.

I agree to:

• Provide equal professional service without regard to the race, color, religion, gender (sex), disability (handicap), familial status, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity of any prospective client, customer, or of the residents of any community.
• Keep informed about fair housing law and practices, improving my clients’ and customers’ opportunities and my business.
• Develop advertising that indicates that everyone is welcome and no one is excluded;, expanding my client’s and customer’s opportunities to see, buy, or lease property.
• Inform my clients and customers about their rights and responsibilities under the fair housing laws by providing brochures and other information.
• Document my efforts to provide professional service, which will assist me in becoming a more responsive and successful REALTOR®.
• Refuse to tolerate non-compliance.
• Learn about those who are different from me, and celebrate those differences.
• Take a positive approach to fair housing practices and aspire to follow the spirit as well as the letter of the law.
• Develop and implement fair housing practices for my firm to carry out the spirit of this declaration.

Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing – CE Available

This certificate course, offered by NC REALTORS®, helps real estate professionals interrupt stereotypical thinking so they can avoid fair housing pitfalls and provide equal professional service to every customer or client. Participants will learn about the mind science of identity, study how implicit bias can result in fair housing violations, and engage in interactive exercises to enhance communication skills and business relationships with clients of all backgrounds.

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Fair Housing and Beyond – CE Available

Fair Housing laws, beginning with the Fair Housing Act of 1968, were enacted to prohibit discrimination against certain protected classes. Real estate professionals must be familiar with both the theory and practice of Fair Housing when conducting business. This course covers discrimination and housing, types of violations, advertising rules, ADA, penalties, fair employment practices, fair credit practices.  It also explores anti-trust laws, bankruptcy protection, environmental considerations, and data security.

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At Home With Diversity certification

This course teaches sensitivity and adaptability to future market trends and illustrates the changing face of the real estate industry.

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Fair Housing: Understanding Accommodations & Modifications

Knowing the difference between accommodations and modifications makes all the difference. This course will help provide clarity on the three areas that generate several questions as it relates to landlord/tenant laws and intentions.

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• Housing Point: Fair Housing Act Video Download – now FREE for all members
  This training video highlights numerous scenarios and provides risk management tips on how to meet the obligations under the Fair Housing Act.
• Fairhaven Simulation Training – FREE for all members
  This interactive training simulation helps agents identify and confront discrimination in home buying.
• Window to the Law episodes
  This video provides a Fair Housing Update and provides tips and tools you need now to understand and comply with this important law.
• Legal Affairs publications
  Noncompliance with fair housing laws is a risk that responsible real estate brokers simply cannot assume as a cost of doing business. The Fair Housing chapter from Real Estate Brokerage Essentials is now a free download!
• Free digital downloads from the REALTOR® Store
  Access nearly every fair housing brochure, handbook and publication for FREE here.

Articles

• Fair Housing: More Than a Law
• We Open Doors to Everyone
• Marine Turned REALTOR® Still Fighting for All Americans
• I Wanted to Make a Statement
• The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America
• Buyer Love Letters
• What to Do When Buyers Ask About Schools

Real estate professionals and consumers depend on strong fair housing laws and practices for our communities and economy to thrive. Discrimination distorts the housing market and closes the door on the American dream of homeownership for qualified buyers. NAR provides fair housing resources including policy advocacy, innovative programming and legal guidance. Explore NAR’s Fair Housing resources.

Check out these resources provided by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.