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This thread is currently closed for responses.Answers (30)
- Rachel Rosen, "RachelRosen"
- Contributions:1493
Moveonfromhere:
Sorry you feel you have been discriminated against. It sounds like what you need is legal advice which is not what you will find in the zillow forums. The forums are free to anyone, and I don't often see lawyers in here. Everyone is free to an opinion, but what you need is a professional legal opinion, which you will will not likely find on this site. You may want to check out www.avvo.com if you would like to pursue a free legal advice forum.
Here is a link to HUD's website:
http://portal.hud.gov/hud ... ourrights
No one on this thread has any idea which if any of the protected classes you belong to. So, I do not think you will get the answers you are looking for here.
-Zillow
Customer Service
Team Lead
Sorry you feel you have been discriminated against. It sounds like what you need is legal advice which is not what you will find in the zillow forums. The forums are free to anyone, and I don't often see lawyers in here. Everyone is free to an opinion, but what you need is a professional legal opinion, which you will will not likely find on this site. You may want to check out www.avvo.com if you would like to pursue a free legal advice forum.
Here is a link to HUD's website:
http://portal.hud.gov/hud ... ourrights
No one on this thread has any idea which if any of the protected classes you belong to. So, I do not think you will get the answers you are looking for here.
-Zillow
Customer Service
Team Lead
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
(removed by moderator)
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
(removed by moderator)
- PukonYukon
- Contributions:173
If there was an award for most "entertaining thread of the day" this one should win it. the title doesn't go with the question, the respondents answers weren't just ignored they were attacked and the transition to having 4 spouses to test discrimination laws. This was a mastercard moment- priceless for sure.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
It would probably be even worse with "4 husbands", but the Quran doesn't specifically mention that option.
The Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in the Bible was said to have had 5 husbands though, and the man she was presently living with was not her husband (John 4.18). But I think it was pretty clear that was "past tense" and not concurrently.
Do you remember the "Love American Style" episode where the man has a different woman for each day of the week, and spends the day at their place? And they eventually "find out" about the others, but then decide they all like having their day of the week after all?
The Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in the Bible was said to have had 5 husbands though, and the man she was presently living with was not her husband (John 4.18). But I think it was pretty clear that was "past tense" and not concurrently.
Do you remember the "Love American Style" episode where the man has a different woman for each day of the week, and spends the day at their place? And they eventually "find out" about the others, but then decide they all like having their day of the week after all?
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
"I keep thinking one should go to the middle east and marry 4 spouses..."
lol Too much trouble is right. 4 wives in the same house sounds like the definition of trouble to me, but maybe I'm thinking of the wrong kind of wives.
lol Too much trouble is right. 4 wives in the same house sounds like the definition of trouble to me, but maybe I'm thinking of the wrong kind of wives.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
"Look like the blue guy here?" -
Well, the Federal "Fair Housing Act" states it is illegal to discriminate based on "color" so if one dyes their skin blue with colloidal silver, and an "owner" or someone in Real Estate discriminates based on the "blue skin color", it appears one may have a case... (Even though I don't think that is what the legislators had in mind when they passed that legislation).
By the way, I keep thinking one should go to the middle east and marry 4 spouses as that is approved by the Koran when all 4 are treated "equally", and then should come to the U.S. to buy a house for "polygamy" to get denied housing to have a complaint to file; and file the discrimination case BOTH on religious grounds and "family status" grounds...
(Too much trouble for me though).
But if no one tries, no one will know how the law would really be interpreted in such cases.
Well, the Federal "Fair Housing Act" states it is illegal to discriminate based on "color" so if one dyes their skin blue with colloidal silver, and an "owner" or someone in Real Estate discriminates based on the "blue skin color", it appears one may have a case... (Even though I don't think that is what the legislators had in mind when they passed that legislation).
By the way, I keep thinking one should go to the middle east and marry 4 spouses as that is approved by the Koran when all 4 are treated "equally", and then should come to the U.S. to buy a house for "polygamy" to get denied housing to have a complaint to file; and file the discrimination case BOTH on religious grounds and "family status" grounds...
(Too much trouble for me though).
But if no one tries, no one will know how the law would really be interpreted in such cases.
- Sharon Lewis, "Sharon Lewis"
- Contributions:3923
Glad to see that Zillow has responded to you, if you missed it scroll almost all the way down the page.
- ConnieK_Oklahoma
- Contributions:2899
if you're genuinely interested in correcting this assumed wrong, then after you check it out and your complaint is processed, update this thread on the results. Perhaps we all can learn something from you.
The good thing about the way HUD bids are submitted is that the person reviewing them had absolutely NO information about you- only your bid. Bids are time stamped. If your bid does not show to be submitted, then the issue is with the agent. If it was...then the answer is in HUD documentation.
from the HUD website FAQ
it says if you place a bid today it will not be reviewed until the Bid Open date, it goes on to say that your bid may end up unreviewed if a bid from an earlier bidding period is accepted.
If you actually want to know why you didnt get it, there is a trail-so follow it. See if your bid was reviewed and rejected or just never reviewed. Then if you want to make an attempt to "fix" us horrible REAs that were simply offering you possible explanations in hopes to show you that assuming isn't the answer...feel free to share the proof- we could all learn from whatever was done wrong once we know what it is and if nothing was wrong, then we can still learn from how to better set expectations so that someone else like yourself doesn't feel wronged. or you can just argue and get upset and accomplish nothing.
The good thing about the way HUD bids are submitted is that the person reviewing them had absolutely NO information about you- only your bid. Bids are time stamped. If your bid does not show to be submitted, then the issue is with the agent. If it was...then the answer is in HUD documentation.
from the HUD website FAQ
it says if you place a bid today it will not be reviewed until the Bid Open date, it goes on to say that your bid may end up unreviewed if a bid from an earlier bidding period is accepted.
If you actually want to know why you didnt get it, there is a trail-so follow it. See if your bid was reviewed and rejected or just never reviewed. Then if you want to make an attempt to "fix" us horrible REAs that were simply offering you possible explanations in hopes to show you that assuming isn't the answer...feel free to share the proof- we could all learn from whatever was done wrong once we know what it is and if nothing was wrong, then we can still learn from how to better set expectations so that someone else like yourself doesn't feel wronged. or you can just argue and get upset and accomplish nothing.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
"I was discriminated against. "
Ok I'll accept that. Now the question is WHY were YOU discriminated against? Were you nasty? Unlikeable? Look like the blue guy here?
Why do you think that they took a lower offer? Most sellers like money so why was less green better than your green?
Ok I'll accept that. Now the question is WHY were YOU discriminated against? Were you nasty? Unlikeable? Look like the blue guy here?
Why do you think that they took a lower offer? Most sellers like money so why was less green better than your green?
- ConnieK_Oklahoma
- Contributions:2899
If it was a HUD then the explanation is fairly well documented as all offers are submitted through their website and tracked So just contact them and find out. No guessing required. You were attempting to buy a house and the government was heavily involved. One thing about government. What they do might not always make sense but it is always well documented. If you actually want an answer and don't just want to assume and complain then go get your answer Good luck
- Joshua Stein, "JSteinHomes"
- Contributions:140
Not counting Mike's Klondike Bar comment, of all of the responses to this thread, only 4 were from real estate professionals. AND, most of them tried to placate the OP's point of view.
The rest were from members of the general public and Zillow community, who spend hours of their free time assisting in the real estate education of their fellow citizens of the great country.
Please don't besmirch an entire profession just because a business deal didn't work out in your favor. Stuff happens. Have a little more faith in your fellow human beings and we will all live happier lives.
The rest were from members of the general public and Zillow community, who spend hours of their free time assisting in the real estate education of their fellow citizens of the great country.
Please don't besmirch an entire profession just because a business deal didn't work out in your favor. Stuff happens. Have a little more faith in your fellow human beings and we will all live happier lives.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
Yes, if it was discrimination based on U.S. Fair Housing laws, you can file your complaint with HUD.
Here is the website address:
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/housing_discrimination
(Unless you have good documentation of a violation, it is unlikely that anything will happen. In many cases you are better off filing a complaint with the local board and state licensing department, and possibly with the district attorney.)
Here is the website address:
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/housing_discrimination
(Unless you have good documentation of a violation, it is unlikely that anything will happen. In many cases you are better off filing a complaint with the local board and state licensing department, and possibly with the district attorney.)
- northwest
- Contributions:215
Moveonfromhere,
Realize you are disappointed and upset with the way the deal came down...the property was sold to someone else and it didn't make sense. However please know the people who were addressing your question were trying to help you understand that there are a variety of things that could have affected the sales outcome, and they didn't want you to waste your time or energy on something out of your control. I am not a real estate person, but I can tell you I have seen enough of their Zillow comments to know they are honest and know what they are talking about. Now you've gone and insulted their integrity and they don't deserve it.
It will be OK. You will find another property that will work out perfectly. This is just a blip in the radar of life...have faith my friend.
- Michael Emery, "MikeEmery"
- Contributions:7298
Pennies....no.
Klondike bar.....maybe.
Klondike bar.....maybe.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
Just because you are disabled doesn't mean they discriminated on that basis. If you don't have specific documentation that they discriminated on that basis, you still don't have a case.
And it is almost impossible to prove discrimination based on being male, or based on being single.
Not to mention, the only reviews posted are those of agents that represented the reviewer. You cannot write a review of the agent for the other side of the transaction and get it on the site.
As for the United States failing because it is a Capitalist economic structure instead of a communist structure? I think there is very little evidence of that, and the majority of the country still doesn't want a communist structure even though we keep getting closer to that each year, starting with Roosevelt.
What sins? HUD is a "sin" that should never have existed.
And it is almost impossible to prove discrimination based on being male, or based on being single.
Not to mention, the only reviews posted are those of agents that represented the reviewer. You cannot write a review of the agent for the other side of the transaction and get it on the site.
As for the United States failing because it is a Capitalist economic structure instead of a communist structure? I think there is very little evidence of that, and the majority of the country still doesn't want a communist structure even though we keep getting closer to that each year, starting with Roosevelt.
What sins? HUD is a "sin" that should never have existed.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
It is absolutely complete legal and ethical to discriminate on any grounds anyone wants except for the handful if items listed in the U.S. Fair Housing Act, and U.S. Fair Lending Act, and a few states and cities have also added "gender identification" to those lists.
So, unless it was discrimination based on:
Ethnic Background
Country of Origin
Skin Color or Hair Color
Native Language
Handicapping condition
Religious beliefs, affiliation, or practice
Marital Status
Family status/type
# Children...
Age
Source of Income
Gender
Gender Identification/orientation
You don't have a case.
If you have clear documentation of discrimination on any of the Federally prohibited items, you need to take that up with the local boards, the licensing department of the State, and the District Attorney.
Reviews of agents on a website like this are not the place for those kinds of accusations.
So, unless it was discrimination based on:
Ethnic Background
Country of Origin
Skin Color or Hair Color
Native Language
Handicapping condition
Religious beliefs, affiliation, or practice
Marital Status
Family status/type
# Children...
Age
Source of Income
Gender
Gender Identification/orientation
You don't have a case.
If you have clear documentation of discrimination on any of the Federally prohibited items, you need to take that up with the local boards, the licensing department of the State, and the District Attorney.
Reviews of agents on a website like this are not the place for those kinds of accusations.
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5667
I'm sorry, but it's stuff like this that makes you all look bad.
"If you truly believe there was something discriminatory at hand, I would start by voicing your concerns to the brokerage firm."
"Discriminatory"? Unless the seller was stupid enough to write "I don't sell to <insert ethnicity of choice here>", there's nothing "discriminatory" - and there is nothing in any of the posts to indicate that there was any discrimination.. The seller has the right to accept any of the offers submitted, no explanation required. And, part of that choice is to accept an offer other than the highest.
"I don't think we have enough of the facts at hand to really discern what happened to have the deal sell for less."
What facts do you need? It doesn't matter. The seller can accept any offer, without explanation. Unless a contract was in place (which has not been declared to be the case), the seller can even change their mind and take the house off the market altogether (although there might be some ramifications with the listing REA).
"Perhaps, the realty firm would be able to shed light on the matter. If you are not happy with their response/actions, then you should take more of a hardline approach."
"...take more of a hardline approach"? Like "I demand you accept my offer"? The OP made several offers, and the seller exercised their right to accept the offer of their choice. Are you indicating that there is a way to force the seller to accept an offer?
On one hand, I understand your attempt to mollify the OP, and you seem to want to help. On the other, how does it help to send the OP off on a effort that is pretty much not going to change the situation - or provide an answer to the OP's original question?
"If you truly believe there was something discriminatory at hand, I would start by voicing your concerns to the brokerage firm."
"Discriminatory"? Unless the seller was stupid enough to write "I don't sell to <insert ethnicity of choice here>", there's nothing "discriminatory" - and there is nothing in any of the posts to indicate that there was any discrimination.. The seller has the right to accept any of the offers submitted, no explanation required. And, part of that choice is to accept an offer other than the highest.
"I don't think we have enough of the facts at hand to really discern what happened to have the deal sell for less."
What facts do you need? It doesn't matter. The seller can accept any offer, without explanation. Unless a contract was in place (which has not been declared to be the case), the seller can even change their mind and take the house off the market altogether (although there might be some ramifications with the listing REA).
"Perhaps, the realty firm would be able to shed light on the matter. If you are not happy with their response/actions, then you should take more of a hardline approach."
"...take more of a hardline approach"? Like "I demand you accept my offer"? The OP made several offers, and the seller exercised their right to accept the offer of their choice. Are you indicating that there is a way to force the seller to accept an offer?
On one hand, I understand your attempt to mollify the OP, and you seem to want to help. On the other, how does it help to send the OP off on a effort that is pretty much not going to change the situation - or provide an answer to the OP's original question?
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26854
You've not provided enough information to know whether or not you were swindled or discriminated against. (You don't know the offer price or many other details of the purchase, only the closing price. Even then, accepting a lower offer is not automatically discrimination) There is no imagination at all involved in sharing valid reasons that you may not had your offer accepted. You can always review the details with an attorney for professional advice taking into consideration the facts at hand. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck.
- Nayna Bawa, "Nayna Bawa"
- Contributions:114
If you truly believe there was something discriminatory at hand, I would start by voicing your concerns to the brokerage firm. I don't think we have enough of the facts at hand to really discern what happened to have the deal sell for less. Perhaps, the realty firm would be able to shed light on the matter. If you are not happy with their response/actions, then you should take more of a hardline approach.
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5667
No imagination in my post. I was the seller. I accepted a lower offer, rejecting the highest - partly for purely personal reasons. It happens. It's legal. Doesn't necessarily mean you were swindled.
When you use a word like "swindled", there's a lot that goes along for the ride (like intent, fraud, etc.). Perhaps, given Carl's response below, your word selection is why the review was not posted.
When you use a word like "swindled", there's a lot that goes along for the ride (like intent, fraud, etc.). Perhaps, given Carl's response below, your word selection is why the review was not posted.
Maybe I forgot to mention, this is a HUD home... and your imaginations are nice... maybe you all should write childrens books... I was discriminated against.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
Maybe the other buyer paid 70K all cash no inspections. Or they offered 78K cash and their inspection found 8000 in items that were credited back to the seller. There are owners that would rather have an as is sale or an all cash sale. The story is not all told with the offer amount alone.
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26854
$70 k is indeed less than $78 k, but that doesn't mean that the offer was less. During inspection or appraisal the price may have been renegotiated.
In addition, a seller doesn't have to accept the top dollar offer. The seller can make a decision based on a number of other factors. We bought a house once with an offer lower than another offer by more than $20k (for a long convoluted reason.)
Yes, I agree it can be irritating but it is time to move on and find another house that will make you happy
In addition, a seller doesn't have to accept the top dollar offer. The seller can make a decision based on a number of other factors. We bought a house once with an offer lower than another offer by more than $20k (for a long convoluted reason.)
Yes, I agree it can be irritating but it is time to move on and find another house that will make you happy
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5667
I sold a house once, and the offer I accepted was $5K less than another offer. It's not always about the $$$. In my case, there were several factors. One of them was simply that I felt the person I sold to would appreciate the house more.
Was the person with the higher offer "swindled"? I don't think so. I simply chose to sell to someone else, even though it meant a few less $$$ in my pocket.
23 years later, I drove by and the house looks the same (more or less) as when it was sold, and the people who bought it are still there. Kind of nice to have my decision affirmed.
Was the person with the higher offer "swindled"? I don't think so. I simply chose to sell to someone else, even though it meant a few less $$$ in my pocket.
23 years later, I drove by and the house looks the same (more or less) as when it was sold, and the people who bought it are still there. Kind of nice to have my decision affirmed.
My offer was $60000 cash and $18000 preapproved loan. A total of $78000. AND, AS I SAID: When I searched this property, it shows that it was sold for ONLY $70000. How in any way shape or form can 70 be greater than 78?
- ConnieK_Oklahoma
- Contributions:2899
there could be a number of things that happened. I would certainly reccommend contacting the broker to question it and possibly the local board. It could be that the other bidder had a cash offer or a quicker closing, price is not always the consideration for sellers. Some are willing to take less and close quicker. It could be that the other offer was higher and then signficant problems were found during inspections and the price was renegotiated with the previous contract. There are other possibilities.
The point is... Your bid may have been unfairly missed or not presented or something else, or it may be a simple matter of unusual circumstances with no wrong doing. The best thing to do is to find out before assuming. There might be something to learn for future bids, or it might have just been a situation that just played out that way.
Good luck. Keep an open mind for possible legitimate reasons then if you find out you were swindled...you'll have the proof to back it up and file a complaint/take real action other than a zillow review.
The point is... Your bid may have been unfairly missed or not presented or something else, or it may be a simple matter of unusual circumstances with no wrong doing. The best thing to do is to find out before assuming. There might be something to learn for future bids, or it might have just been a situation that just played out that way.
Good luck. Keep an open mind for possible legitimate reasons then if you find out you were swindled...you'll have the proof to back it up and file a complaint/take real action other than a zillow review.
- Joshua Stein, "JSteinHomes"
- Contributions:140
One very real possibility was that the offer the seller accepted WAS higher and "better" than yours, but the property failed to appraise for the sale price and the parties agreed to the new appraisal price. It happened to me on the home that I currently own.
Not knowing any more than you've said, there can be dozens of other reasons why the seller found the other offer more attractive. You can call your broker and try to find out, but the seller's broker isn't obligated to provide that kind of information to your agent if they don't want to. It's probably best to just move on and find another property.
Not knowing any more than you've said, there can be dozens of other reasons why the seller found the other offer more attractive. You can call your broker and try to find out, but the seller's broker isn't obligated to provide that kind of information to your agent if they don't want to. It's probably best to just move on and find another property.
- Sharon Lewis, "Sharon Lewis"
- Contributions:3923
You know, I would like to suggest you first contact that agents broker in charge at their office, if that doesnt get you any satisfaction, contact the local real estate commission and file a complaint.
Why was my review of a realtor not posted?
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