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Practice Of Real EstateFair_housingMEDIUM

A buyer named Chen contacts broker Lisa to purchase a home in Redmond. During their first meeting, Chen mentions he is gay. Lisa privately decides to show Chen only properties in neighborhoods she believes are 'more accepting' of gay buyers, avoiding certain other neighborhoods entirely. Under Washington's fair housing law, Lisa's conduct most likely constitutes:

Correct Answer

A) Steering, which violates RCW 49.60 by directing a buyer toward or away from neighborhoods based on a protected class characteristic.

Lisa's conduct constitutes illegal steering under RCW 49.60. Steering occurs when a licensee directs a buyer toward or away from specific neighborhoods based on a protected class characteristic — in this case, sexual orientation, which is a protected class under Washington's Law Against Discrimination. Even if Lisa believes she is acting in Chen's interest, making neighborhood decisions based on protected class status without the buyer's direction is a fair housing violation.

Answer Options
A
Steering, which violates RCW 49.60 by directing a buyer toward or away from neighborhoods based on a protected class characteristic.
B
A breach of fiduciary duty only, with no fair housing implications under Washington state law.
C
Appropriate professional judgment, since Lisa is acting in her client's best interest by anticipating his preferences.
D
Acceptable conduct, because sexual orientation is not protected in real estate sales under RCW 49.60.

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

fair_housingsteeringsexual_orientationrcw_49_60protected_classesbroker_duties

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