Points to Ponder for Real Estate Representatives:

These points to ponder on, have been bothering me for aproximately 2 weeks. It is time they are addressed and for those whom it hurts, so be it, get on with your business, and learn from this lesson.

I was fortunate enough to meet a wonderful couple living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, immigrated from Nigeria, looking for a new home.

We financially pre-qualified our patient clients and started looking for a new home. We knew $175,000 as a down payment required a prominent area yet with the ability to resell in a few years.

We scouted the areas they wished to live in, checked for open houses, called on few and decided to visit one particular open house on Saturday afternoon.  This property was located on Oceanview Drive in Bedford, N.S..  We did call to make sure the agent was working on site that day, so she was prepared for us.

I introduced myself, and passed her my card.

The "Experienced Agent" from Coldwell Banker, whom greeted us as we directly walked through the front entrance immediately said, "you know this house is not for sale until September! I replied, you didn't mention this in your advertisement, nor tell me on the telephone when we spoke."

I asked that we still look through the open house, she replied, "your choice"! My client and I proceeded down the basement area. We spoke of differences regarding new building materials, types of "silent flooring", heating fixtures and appliances, windows, warranties, etc.

We proceeded to go up to the top level "bedroom area" but passed through the dining room to the kitchen area, where the sales representative was sitting and working on her computer. As we passed her, she said, "you know, there are cheaper houses up the street". We never once, not once, mentioned money and what we could afford. My client immediately felt uncomfortable. You see, her skin is darker than mine, but blood flows from her heart and emotions were running deeply from her actions. I know now, what it was like to be a minority, black faced and discriminated against. I was so embarrassed for my client and also for the situation that Selling Agent put her through. My gracious client said, "shall we go". I felt uncomfortable for my client and could only feel her looks, words hurt through actions, so we should all be accountable for our actions.

Need I say more?