Sometimes it can be difficult to determine whether you are the victim of discrimination or simply not qualified. Here are some examples of what discrimination can look like:

MISREPRESENTING THE AVAILABILITY OF HOUSING: A seller or real
estate agent tells you, because he knows or believes you are a
member of a protected class, that the house or condominium is not available, when, in fact, it is available.

REFUSALS TO SELL: A seller or real estate professional refuses to sell to you because you are a member of one of the protected classes. This can sometimes be a blunt statement, such as “We do
not want to sell to families with children,” or “We do not sell to Muslims.”

REFUSALS TO LEND: A lender refuses to give you a mortgage because you are a member of a protected class or because you want to buy in a neighborhood that is considered “majorityminority.” Refusing to lend in certain neighborhoods is called
“redlining,” and it is illegal.

REFUSALS TO INSURE: An insurance company refuses to sell you an
insurance policy or offers differences in terms/conditions because you are a member of a protected class, because you live in a neighborhood that is considered “majority-minority” or because
you rent to people in the protected classes. (i.e., if you rent to tenants who have Section 8).

STEERING: A real estate agent guides you to or away from certain areas based on your race or other protected factors. This includes
indicating you would not be comfortable with existing residents of the community or neighborhood.

DISCRIMINATION IN TERMS AND CONDITIONS: You are given different terms or rules than others because you are a member of one of
the protected classes. For example, a real estate agent refuses to meet with you alone because you are a Black man and she is
afraid to be alone with Black men.

DISCRIMINATORY ADVERTISING: Any written statement in a
newspaper or oral statement that indicates preferences or
limitations for certain people. This includes online home listings and any ad or brochure that is created by the owner or seller of
the property. Some examples might include ads that say, “Just right for a young couple starting out” or “Active adults only.”

USE OF THREATS, INTIMIDATION OR COERCION: A real estate
agent, neighbor or community member attempts to prevent you from buying a home in a neighborhood or community by suggesting that you will not be safe, that neighbors may not want you to move in or that you may feel “more comfortable” in
another neighborhood.

DISCRIMINATION WITH A SMILE: Sometimes a statement is made that sounds like the seller or real estate agent is trying to help or protect you. Perhaps you are told that families with children are
only allowed to buy condos on the first floor to avoid accidents or to be closer to the playground in the courtyard. It might sound
like they are doing you a favor, but the moment they restrict your choices due to your membership in a protected class, they are
violating your rights.