The sale and purchase of a home is one of the most significant events that any person will experience in his or her lifetime. It is more than the simple purchase of housing, for it includes the hopes, dreams, aspirations, and economic destiny of those involved.

The National Association of REALTORS^® has provided many resources for all of us to comply with the Fair Housing law. REALTORS^® can search on realtor.org. REALTORS^® can contact their local Boards or their State Boards to assure themselves they are in compliance. REALTORS^® can review Article 10 of the Code of Ethics. Fair Housing is good business for all of us.

A good business tool that I find extremely helpful, not only for compliance with Fair Housing but also for general client information, is the Equal Service Report form. If you use it consistently, it will help you to maintain good records on your customers and clients and it will help you if someone charges you with a fair housing violation.

Local Boards of REALTORS^® will accept complaints alleging violations of the Code of Ethics filed by a home seeker who alleges discriminatory treatment in the availability, purchase or rental of housing. Local Boards of REALTORS^® have a responsibility to enforce the Code of Ethics through professional standards procedures and corrective action in cases where a violation of the Code of Ethics is proven to have occurred.

Complaints alleging discrimination in housing may also be filed with the nearest office of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Continue to remember - the housing market is open to all - and we'll all be better REALTORS^® and Sussex County will continue to be a great place to live!

See you next week.

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