Everybody knows that discriminating against anyone based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap (disability) is illegal and immoral, but discrimination continues. The passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1964 curbed some of the abuse, but it simply forced a few holdouts to be more careful and subtle.

If someone doesn't want to sell their house to you or rent you an apartment, they can simply steer you clear of considering it by uttering a few remarks that, on their surface, may seem completely innocent, such as:

• "Your family might not feel comfortable living in this neighborhood."

• "Too bad, we just rented out that apartment yesterday."

• "We rent primarily to 'professionals.'"

• "Houses in this neighborhood are a little pricey. You may want to look for homes in a more affordable area."

• "There's really no way to add wheelchair access to the building."

If you suspect that you've become a victim of housing discrimination, take action. Don't just walk away resigned to the mistaken belief that you can't do anything about it. Your action can make the world a better place for you, your family, and everyone else.

What should you do? Here are some suggestions for becoming a fair housing advocate:

• Realize that housing discrimination is illegal.

• Write down everything you can remember about the incident, including the date, the names of the company and individuals you suspect of discrimination, and what was said.

• Keep detailed records, including application forms and receipts.

• Act quickly while the incident is still fresh in your mind.

• Report the incident and your suspicions to authorities. The HUD (Housing and Urban Development) website has a Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity page here with an index of state and local organizations you can contact.

Keep in mind that laws have little effect on people's behavior unless those laws are enforced, and enforcement begins with concerned citizens who take action. If you suspect discrimination, report it.

Published: January 26, 2007

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Once dubbed by TIME Magazine "the best-selling REALTOR® in America," Ralph R. Roberts, CRS, GRI is an award-winning and internationally recognized real estate agent, author, coach, and speaker. Throughout his career, Ralph has proven his commitment to helping other real estate and sales professionals build upon their past and present success, grow and expand their businesses, and provide a rich and rewarding future for themselves, their customers, their employees, and their families. As president and CEO of Ralph Roberts Realty, Ralph has personally helped thousands of consumers realize their dream of homeownership. While selling over 10,000 homes (and buying and selling over 3,000 investment properties) throughout his 30-year career, Ralph has made the time to mentor and coach hundreds of professionals in real estate, sales, and a host of other fields. Ralph is a recognized authority on Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud; Residential Real Estate; Personal Salesmanship; and, Sales Force and Office Management, Motivation, and Design. Ralph's numerous websites, blogs, seminars, and speaking engagements engage, entertain, and educate both consumers and professionals. Ralph is also an accomplished author with several successful titles to his credit, including: Power Teams: The Complete Guide to Building and Managing a Winning Real Estate Agent Team Mortgage Myths: 77 Secrets That Will Save You Thousands on Home Financing (John Wiley & Sons) Foreclosure Self-Defense For Dummies (John Wiley & Sons) Protect Yourself from Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud: Preserving the American Dream of Homeownership (Kaplan) Foreclosure Investing For Dummies (John Wiley & Sons) Advanced Selling For Dummies (John Wiley & Sons) Flipping Houses For Dummies (John Wiley & Sons) Walk Like a Giant, Sell Like a Madman (HarperCollins) Real Wealth by Investing in Real Estate (Prentice Hall/Penguin Group) Sell it Yourself (Adams Media) 52 Weeks of Sales Success (HarperCollins) To learn more about Ralph, visit AboutRalph.com or check out his daily insights on real estate and mortgage fraud prevention at FlippingFrenzy.com. You can reach Ralph at RalphRoberts@RalphRoberts.com or by calling (586) 751-0000.