Field Guide to Diversity for REALTORS®
(Updated April 2007)
Our ever-changing society demands a keen understanding and appreciation of diversity's impact on the real estate industry. Immigration, an aging population, changing family dynamics and many other factors affect the housing industry in urban, suburban and even rural areas. This Field Guide offers statistics, links, tips and more to assist REALTORS® on diversity issues. (D. Foligno, Project Specialist)
Contents:
Diversity News | Diversity & Home Ownership | Diversity and the Workplace | Related Links | Books, eBooks & Other Resources
Minority Changes in Metropolitan Areas Since 2000
56% of the U.S. African American population lives in the south
Several metropolitan areas now have a "majority minority" child (under-15) population
White population declined in 111 metropolitan areas
Hispanics, Asians and Blacks still live in urban areas in larger numbers than the population as a whole
Source: Diversity Spreads Out, (Brookings Institution, Mar. 2006).
Diversity News
The many languages of real estate, (Washington Post, Mar. 2007).
NAR contributes $1 million towards building of MLK national memorial, (National Association of REALTOR®, Feb. 2007).
Building diversity, (American City & County, Dec. 2006). Q
John Marshall Law School undertakes study of senior housing discrimination, (Task Force.org, Nov. 2006).
Gay senior housing on the rise, while straights cry foul, (Task Force.org, Dec. 2006).
Real estate agents buying into diversity, (National Public Radio, Mar. 2006).
Senior citizen voice triggers housing discrimination, (Senior Journal.com, Oct. 2005).
Diversity takes real estate holiday, (East Bay Business Times,Aug. 2005).
How to reach the immigrant homebuyer, (REALTOR® Magazine Online, Apr. 2005).
HUD issues new guidelines to promote greater housing access for families with disabilities, (U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Feb. 2005).
Retirement homes, without the closets, (San Francisco Chronicle, Jan. 2005).
Is it fair to target certain buyers in your marketing?, (Realty Times, Jan. 2005).
Diversity and Home Ownership
New published study: Name is enough when it comes to discrimination, (Oregon State University, May 2006).
Profile of older Americans, (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, May 2006) - Senior housing statistics
Lenders import ways to extend mortgages to immigrants, (Yahoo Finance, Mar. 24, 2005).
Foreign-born population tops 34 million, (U.S. Census Bureau, Feb. 2005)
A new look at racial and ethnic integration in metropolitan neighborhoods, (Brookings Institution, Apr. 2004).
Home buying among ethnic groups, (Texas A&M Real Estate Center, May 2004).
Diversity and the Workplace
Diversity, work/life balance are key in recruiting efforts now, (HR Focus, Mar. 2007). Q
Cultural crossroads, (Journal of Property Management, Jan/Feb. 2007). Q
Diversity in the work force: challenges for employers, (SuperVision, Oct. 2006). Q
Recruiting a diverse workforce: two common mistakes, (Houston REALTOR®, Sept. 2006).
Eight critical steps to improve workplace performance with cross-cultural teams, (Performance Improvement, July 2006). Q
Renewing your diversity initiatives, (HR Focus, Mar. 2005). Q
Advice for dealing with ADA ambiguities, (HR Focus, Feb. 2005). Q
Racial diversity pays off, (Harvard Business School, June 2004).
Creating workplace opportunities for people with disabilities, (BostonWorks.com, 2004).
Creating a culture of inclusion - survey: diversity initiatives critical to job seekers, (Boston Works.com, Sept. 2003).
Related Links
Community Outreach Diversity Grants, (National Association of REALTORS®, 2007) - Boards may apply for NAR's community diversity initiative grants.
Growing Wealth, Inequality and Housing in the United States, (Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, Feb. 2007) - Study examining housing wealth across demographic lines.
For people with disabilities, (Fannie Mae.com) - Fannie Mae mortgage options.
Cultural diversity resources, (Wisconsin REALTORS® Association, 2006).
Fighting rental housing discrimination FAQ, (Nolo.com, 2007) - FAQs.
HUD resources for seniors, (HUD.com).
Accessible and affordable housing options, (Disability Info.gov).
VA Specially adapted housing program, (VA.gov).
". . if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet." President John F Kennedy's Commencement Address to American University, June 1963
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
Instant immersion Spanish (OverDrive Audio Book)
Instant immersion French (OverDrive Audio Book)
Instant immersion Italian (OverDrive Audio Book)
Instant immersion Mandarin Chinese (OverDrive Audio Book)
Instant immersion Japanese (OverDrive Audio Book)
Instant immersion Arabic (OverDrive Audio Book)
Dr. Blair's Ingles in no time (OverDrive Audio Book)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Leaving gateway metropolitan areas: immigrants and the housing market, (University of Southern CA, 2004). SF-2004-064
Reaching out: The financial power of niche marketing, (Dearborn Real Estate Publishing, 2003).
Multiculturalism: making diversity your business, (Illinois REALTOR®, July 2003, p. 18-23).
Real estate without borders: serving the latino community, (CRS Residential Specialist, May/June, 2003, p. 30-35).
REALTORS® reaching out to the world around us. (DVD - Center for Education and Private Enterprise, 2002).
Racial & ethnic diversity: Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Whites, (New Strategist, 2002).
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Fair Housing
Field Guide to Business Etiquette when Working with Other Cultures
Field Guide to Diversity for Associations
Field Guide to Complying with the ADA
Field Guide to Marketing to the Hispanic Community
Field Guide to Marketing to the 55+ Population
>> Have an idea for a new Field Guide? Click here to send us your suggestions!
The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
