All agents have to complete real estate continuing education, but the best don't stop there. Our industry is ever-changing, and the most successful agents are the ones who never stop learning.
That’s why we’ve put together this collection of deep-dive resources just for you. These resources go beyond what's covered in our Fair Housing: Confronting Racial Discrimination CE course, giving you deeper insights, fresh perspectives, and actionable strategies to apply in your day-to-day business. So dive into these expert-approved reads and keep pushing your business forward.
1️⃣ Long Island Divided – Newsday’s Housing Discrimination Investigation
This eye-opening Newsday exposé reveals how some agents treated buyers of different races unequally in Long Island. Over three years, undercover testers uncovered widespread “separate and unequal” service for minority homebuyers.
The article details how agents steered white buyers toward predominantly white neighborhoods while directing Black and Hispanic buyers elsewhere. It’s a compelling case study that shows fair housing issues aren’t just history – they’re still happening today, and it challenges you to reflect on your own practices.
Anthony Carrozzo
2️⃣ Redfin Fair Housing Settlement Expands Access to Services
Learn how one major brokerage’s policies came under fire for “digital redlining.” This AP News piece explains a 2022 settlement with Redfin after fair housing groups sued over its minimum home price service thresholds.
Redfin agreed to change its policies and pay $4 million to resolve claims that it excluded minority communities. The story highlights a modern form of discrimination and shows how industry leaders are being held accountable.
It’s an important read for staying up-to-date on legal developments and understanding how seemingly neutral business practices can have unfair impacts.
Nicholas K. Geranios
3️⃣ HUD Extends Fair Housing Protections to LGBTQ+ Individuals
Did you know that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is now treated as sex discrimination under the Fair Housing Act?
This update became official in 2021, and this article breaks down what that means for real estate practice. It explains the HUD memorandum confirming that LGBTQ+ people are protected by federal fair housing law, citing the Supreme Court’s Bostock decision as a basis.
In a friendly, straightforward way, it outlines how HUD is now investigating these complaints and reminds agents to make their rental or sales practices are inclusive of all. This is a must-read legal update so you can confidently serve all clients knowing the law has their back.
Lauren Brasil
4️⃣ NAREB and “Democracy in Housing” – Interview with Lydia Pope
Get inspired by an industry leader tackling racial homeownership gaps. In this interview, Lydia Pope, President of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (the oldest group for Black real estate professionals) at the time, discusses NAREB’s mission of “Democracy in Housing.”
She talks about narrowing the racial homeownership divide and creating equal opportunities for Black buyers and agents. You’ll hear how NAREB promotes fair housing, from advocating policy changes to training agents.
Pope’s personal stories and challenges to the industry to “do better” make this an engaging read. It’s a great reminder of the positive impact real estate professionals can have in pushing for fair, inclusive communities.
5️⃣ Mapping Inequality – Interactive Redlining Maps
Travel back to the 1930s and see how yesterday’s housing discrimination still shapes today’s neighborhoods. This interactive project allows you to explore the federal Home Owners’ Loan Corporation redlining maps for cities across the U.S. Zoom in on your city to reveal how areas were graded “hazardous” (often minority neighborhoods) or “best” (white suburbs), and read snippets of the original assessments.
It’s a fascinating visual way to understand the historical roots of segregated housing patterns. For agents, connecting this history to present-day communities can bring new insight into why certain areas face lasting disparities – and reinforce why fair housing laws are so important in undoing that legacy.
6️⃣ Racial Bias in Home Appraisals and the $162 Billion Loss
Discover emerging research on appraisal bias that might surprise you. A Brookings Institution analysis found homes in majority-Black neighborhoods are nearly 1.9 times more likely to be undervalued compared to similar homes in white areas.
This valuation gap has contributed to Black homeowners missing out on an estimated $162 billion in equity. The study (along with the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) report on appraisal bias and an ABC documentary “Our America: Lowballed”) highlights real families who “whitewashed” their homes – removing indications of their race – and saw appraisals jump dramatically.
This resource is an eye-opener on how systemic bias can persist in modern lending and valuations. It also points to reforms underway to make appraisals fairer. For any real estate professional, it’s a compelling read on why equity in housing isn’t just about access to property, but also about how we value that property.
Brookings Study:
Andre M. Perry
NFHA Report:
Janelle Brevard
"Our America: Lowballed" Documentary:
7️⃣ Avoid Fair Housing Pitfalls in Your Advertising
Are the words in your listings and ads keeping you 100% fair housing compliant? This quick-read article from REALTOR® Magazine offers practical do’s and don’ts for advertising.
It reminds agents that any marketing language showing a preference or limitation for a protected class is illegal and violates the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. The piece gives examples of phrasing to avoid – like suggesting a home is “perfect for families” or “ideal for singles” – which could be seen as excluding other groups.
Instead, it advises focusing on the property’s features and using inclusive language. It’s an easy guide to make sure your online and print ads invite everyone in and keep you out of fair housing hot water.
REALTOR® Magazine Staff
8️⃣ Answering Questions About Schools and Neighborhoods – Best Practices
“How are the schools here?” – Learn how to respond in a fair, legal way. Clients often ask agents about school quality or the “type of neighborhood,” which can be a minefield if handled improperly.
This REALTOR® Magazine article offers a conversational guide on navigating those discussions. It emphasizes staying objective and providing data instead of personal opinions to avoid even the appearance of “steering” buyers.
'For example, rather than saying a neighborhood is “family-friendly,” you might direct clients to school ratings and crime statistics or let them draw their own conclusions from third-party resources.
By being a “source of sources,” you help clients get the info they need while upholding fair housing law. These tips will boost your confidence in addressing sensitive questions and make your clients feel informed and empowered.
Lee Nelson
9️⃣ Fairhaven: NAR’s Fair Housing Simulation Training
Test your fair housing knowledge in a realistic, interactive way. Fairhaven is an online simulation by the National Association of REALTORS® that puts you in the shoes of an agent working with diverse clients.
Through a series of real-life inspired scenarios, you’ll encounter situations involving potential discrimination and learn to navigate them properly. It’s gamified learning – as you progress, you get feedback on your decisions and insight into fair housing best practices. Many agents say it’s an engaging wake-up call that reveals biases you didn’t even know you had.
Since NAR now requires fair housing training, this tool is a convenient and immersive option. It’s like a “flight simulator” for fair housing – better to make mistakes and learn in a simulation than in real transactions!
Disclaimer: Almost all of the resources we provide in these Deep Dives are free and accessible to everyone; however, this resource is a bit different, although still worth mentioning. At the time of this writing, there is no cost for this training for NAR members, but there is a $50 cost for non-members.
🔟 NFHA 2024 Fair Housing Trends Report
See the big picture of housing discrimination today. Every year, the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) compiles nationwide data on reported housing discrimination cases. The 2024 report reveals that 34,150 fair housing complaints were filed in 2023 – an increase from the previous year.
Notably, complaints alleging disability discrimination made up over half of all cases, reminding us that fair housing isn’t only about race. The report’s interactive features let you delve into trends by state and type of discrimination. It also highlights emerging issues like harassment and bias based on color, which saw a 35% jump.
This reputable resource gives real estate pros a broader insight into where fair housing challenges persist. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be better prepared to address and prevent discrimination in your day-to-day practice.
