Redfin is Racist

[SRMIII]

Anonymous wrote:The previous 2 PP don’t understand systematic racism.

You can put systems in place that discriminate even if it makes you more money.

Yes, most housing policies are racist. It’s one of the many things that need to be fixed.

Yeah. I wanted to flag those both as "systemic racism" examples. And I am NOT being sarcastic. I mean, how hard is it to figure that out? Just like higher interest rates on mortgages, higher insurance premiums, and all the other things that have been barriers to housing even when technically discrimination was made illegal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean, “take homes”? Their listing agents won’t list them?

Is that an issue with other realtors, too?

Wondering this too.

[Anonymous]

Who cares? Most people of any race with two nickels to rub together don’t want to live in neighborhoods where rundown houses are being sold for 3k. This frivolous litigation is just fake outrage and an attempted cash grab.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't they just change their fee structure to include a fixed component?

Because I would guess the point is that there is a floor below which it's not worth their while to take the listing. So, for cheaper houses where, say, one percent of the price isn't cost-effective, the fixed component has to be higher than the percentage commission to solve their problem.

?? That is the point of the fixed price. If they determine the effort to sell a house is at least 5k, then the fee would be the greater of 1% or 5k.

[SRMIII]

Anonymous wrote:So I don't know enough about this to make an informed decision yet, but aren't there many more poor white people, and therefore more owners of inexpensive homes, than POCs?

Probably but only because there are more white people period (like how the majority of food stamp recipients are white, even though as a population white people are less likely to be poor). So yes, there's that. On the other hand, other components of systemic racism compound the issue, magnifying the effect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean, “take homes”? Their listing agents won’t list them?

Is that an issue with other realtors, too?

Wondering this too.

I’m glad it’s not just me. I mean, redlining waaaay predates Redfin, so it doesn’t make sense to single them out. It’s not like traditional realtors haven’t been discriminating against minorities for decades or anything.

[Anonymous]

SRMIII wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The previous 2 PP don’t understand systematic racism.

You can put systems in place that discriminate even if it makes you more money.

Yes, most housing policies are racist. It’s one of the many things that need to be fixed.

Yeah. I wanted to flag those both as "systemic racism" examples. And I am NOT being sarcastic. I mean, how hard is it to figure that out? Just like higher interest rates on mortgages, higher insurance premiums, and all the other things that have been barriers to housing even when technically discrimination was made illegal.

I’ll even give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they didn’t realize it snd will fix it.

Uber has found tons of systematic racism in their app and they have made changes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The previous 2 PP don’t understand systematic racism.

You can put systems in place that discriminate even if it makes you more money.

Yes, most housing policies are racist. It’s one of the many things that need to be fixed.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean, “take homes”? Their listing agents won’t list them?

Is that an issue with other realtors, too?

Wondering this too.

I’m glad it’s not just me. I mean, redlining waaaay predates Redfin, so it doesn’t make sense to single them out. It’s not like traditional realtors haven’t been discriminating against minorities for decades or anything.

Do you think the realtor who specializes in Chevy chase village is going to take on an 80k condo sale?

[Anonymous]

LIn an email sent to employees and posted on its website, Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman emphasized that the company had not broken the law, saying, “The suit is wrong.” Yet, he said, “the issues it raises are important to Redfin, to our society and to me... Our long-term commitment is to serve every person seeking a home, in every community, profitably,” Kelman said. “The challenge is that we don’t know how to sell the lowest-priced homes while paying our agents and other staff a living wage, with health insurance and other benefits. This is why Redfin agents aren’t always in low-priced neighborhoods. It’s why Redfin doesn’t serve many rural towns."

I don’t know. Systemic racism is absolutely a real thing, but I also understand where redfin is coming from here. They can’t work for less than what they can work for, you know?

[Anonymous]

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/fair-housing-groups-file-federal-lawsuit-accusing-redfin-redlining-minority-communities/amp/

[Anonymous]

They're a business. They have the right to determine the minimum amount of potential commission they are willing to dedicate their limited resources towards.

You don't see anyone suing Sotheby's...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The previous 2 PP don’t understand systematic racism.

You can put systems in place that discriminate even if it makes you more money.

Yes, most housing policies are racist. It’s one of the many things that need to be fixed.

Redfin can be participating in systemic racism without violating the law or even intending to be racist. I both understand systemic racism and believe that this lawsuit is unlikely to succeed.

Agreed.
This lawsuit is without merit and won't go anywhere.

They have to be able to prove that what they did was illegal and it isn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like it is more of a class issue than a race issue. The rich get all of the breaks as opposed to the poor, regardless of race.

As my mom says, being poor is expensive.

Your mom is wise.

[Anonymous]

I have to side with redfin here. If they can't pay their agents enough on a $1000 commission, then what are they supposed to do? They could set a minimum value as another poster said--the greater of 1% or $5k, but then people will hire the 3% agency over the $5k agency. Most realtors don't have company provided benefits/insurance/retirement as they are often second incomes.