I am… At Home With Diversity®

Hope everyone is having a great weekend so far!

For those of you that know me well, you know what I’m about to share is very important to me.

Recently, I successfully completed my At Home With Diversity® (AHWD) designation facilitated through the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Here’s a few things I bet you didn’t know about N.A.R.

• When you pass the state exam, you don’t become a REALTOR®… you become a licensed sales associate.
• A licensed sales associate can not call themselves a REALTOR® unless they are an active member of N.A.R.
• The word “REALTOR®” is trademarked by N.A.R.
• It is not mandatory that a licensed sales associated join N.A.R.
• REALTORS® are held to a higher standard or ethics, standards, competence and professionalism by N.A.R.
• And we’re equipped with more tools and resources to better serve our clients through N.A.R.

This blog is a little longer than some of my others, but if you’re short on time and could read one thing to take away from this blog… please feel free to read what’s in bold print below or watch the following short video by clicking HERE.

The course work for the At Home with Diversity® certification is designed to enable me to work successfully with and within a rapidly changing multicultural market. It will help me to learn diversity sensitivity, how it applies to U.S. fair housing laws in my business, and ways to develop professional guidelines for working with people in the increasingly multicultural real estate market.

To dive deeper so it’s completely clear, it reinforces beliefs that I already have with the following knowledge:

• Knowledge of the subtleties of U.S. fair housing laws.
• Ability to assess and understand attributes of diversity in local markets and their impact on the real estate industry.
• An understanding of the basic competencies to earn the confidence of potential buyers and sellers, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, handicaps, familial status, or national origin.
• Knowledge of how to build a business plan that minimizes risk and successfully services all types of clients.
• Business etiquette for specific cultures.

Summarizing the coursework…

As a member of NAR, I uphold a strict Code of Ethics and am committed to working in your best interest.

When buying or selling a home, you should work with a real estate professional who understands your unique circumstances and needs. As a REALTOR®, I know the importance of adapting and remaining relevant in today’s marketplace. By developing a business practice rooted in inclusion and equality, and backed by the At Home With Diversity® (AHWD) certification, I can help buyers of all cultural backgrounds achieve the dream of homeownership.

As an At Home With Diversity® certified real estate professional, I strive to create a more inclusive real estate business. As a result of the program, I am better able to assess the attributes of diversity in local markets, as well as their impact, which allows me to effectively serve all clients regardless of race or cultural background. With an increased awareness of cultural and personal biases, I understand how each can adversely shape perceptions and behaviors within a multicultural landscape.

As a REALTOR®, I recognize the significance of the Fair Housing Act and reconfirm my commitment to upholding fair housing law as well as to offering equal professional service to all in their search for real estate.

Let me explain to you why this is so very important to me…

I have friends, neighbors and clients of a variety of races, cultures, lifestyles, ethnicities, religious beliefs and socioeconomic status.

I have been a volunteer with the Dr. P. Phillips YMCA here in Orlando, FL for many years and they are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Coldwell Banker and my brokerage also shares the same beliefs.

These are principles I support both personally and professionally and surround myself with like-minded people. And I’ve been privileged to work with clients of a variety of backgrounds… many of which have become close friends. I love my profession as well as the diverse and multi-cultural melting pot we have in Florida!

I believe every person, regardless of their differences, should be able to rent and invest in real estate as well as buy or sell their home and be treated equally through the entire transaction.  And I will continue to provide all of my clients with exceptional service.

Thank you for your time in reading my blog and I hope everyone has an amazing weekend!

Sources

www.nar.realtor/ahwd