Did you know that April 2019 is Fair Housing Month in the United States? For over 50 years Fair Housing Laws have protected renters and buyers in the United States from discrimination of all forms when they are in the process of buying or renting a home in this country.

Learn More About Fair Housing Laws

The 1968 Fair Housing Act is a federal act in the United States intended to protect the buyer or renter of a dwelling from seller or landlord discrimination. Its primary prohibition makes it unlawful to refuse to sell, rent to, or negotiate with any person because of that person’s inclusion in a protected class. The goal is a unitary housing market in which a person’s background (as opposed to financial resources) does not arbitrarily restrict access. Calls for open housing were issued early in the twentieth century, but it was not until after World War II that concerted efforts to achieve it were undertaken. The fair housing act played an important part in the civil rights movement causing people to see how they needed to give African Americans equal rights with things including fair housing.

How Do Realtors® Follow Fair Housing Laws?

In 2019 it’s more important than ever before for real estate agents to follow Fair Housing laws especially if agents want to avoid any allegations of racism or discrimination in these trying times.

Thankfully, with the Texas Affordable Housing Specialist (TAHS) certification, agents in Texas can have the training that they need to ensure that all buyers and sellers are dealt with fairly and equally.

The Texas Affordable Housing Specialist (TAHS) certification equips you with the knowledge to help first-time and under served home buyers as well as increase sustainable home ownership in Texas. The certification offers 12 CE hours, including the mandatory four-hour United Texas: Housing Initiatives that Work course. Other topics include: FHA Lending, Fair Housing, and home buyer resources related workforce housing. Use the find a course feature to see upcoming courses that apply toward the TAHS. 

I’m proud to say that I have a Texas Affordable Housing Specialist Certification and look forward to the opportunity of helping all home buyers in the ATX area buy their dream homes.

Search for A Home in Austin

Now is a great time to buy a home in Austin because it’s a buyers’ market. To learn more about the real estate market, or to view homes for sale contact me at (512) 944-7378 or click here to connect with me online.