First-Time Buyer Steps To Becoming a Home Owner Part 2

Know Your Rights

This should be titled, "Common Sense" or "The Way Things Should Be Everywhere for Everyone" or something like that. Unfortunately, some idiots out there like to take advantage of people or treats different peoples differently. Here are the guidelines as set forth by the Fair Housing Act that prohibits discrimination in housing because of: race or color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18) and handicap.

In the Sale and Rental of Housing: No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap:
Refuse to rent or sell housing

• Refuse to negotiate for housing


• Make housing unavailable


• Deny a dwelling


• Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling


• Provide different housing services or facilities


• Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental


• For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting) or


• Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing.

In Mortgage Lending: No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap:
Refuse to make a mortgage loan

• Refuse to provide information regarding loans


• Impose different terms or conditions on a loan


• Discriminate in appraising property


• Refuse to purchase a loan or


• Set different terms or conditions for purchasing a loan.

In Addition: It is illegal for anyone to:

• Threaten, coerce, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right


• Advertise or make any statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap. This prohibition against discriminatory advertising applies to single-family and owner-occupied housing that is otherwise exempt from the Fair Housing Act.

Religious or not, you're pretty safe if you follow the old Golden Rule and treats others how you would wish to be treated.