Federal and State Laws Pertaining to Real Estate

Question 1

Blockbusting

Answer 1

The practice on the part of unscrupulous speculators or real estate agents of including
panic selling of homes at prices below market value, especially by exploiting the prejudices of property
owners in neighborhoods in which the racial make-up is changing or appears to be on the verge of
changing.

Question 2

Familial Status

Answer 2

A protected class as defined in the Fair Housing Act, consisting of one or more individuals under age 18 living with a parent or legal guardian, pregnant women, foster parents and a person in the process of securing legal custody.

Question 3

Handicap Status

Answer 3

A protected class as defined in the Fair Housing Act and the American with Disabilities Act consisting of a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Question 4

Property Report

Answer 4

A disclosure document required under the federal Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act.

Question 5

Public Accommodation

Answer 5

Facilities, both public and private, used by the public. Examples include retail stores, rental establishments, and service establishments as well as educational institutions, recreational facilities, and service centers.

Question 6

Redlining

Answer 6

An illegal lending policy of denying real estate loans on properties in older, changing urban
areas, usually with large minority populations, because of alleged higher lending risks without due
consideration being given by the lending institution to the credit worthiness of the individual loan
applicant.

Question 7

Subdivided Land

Answer 7

Tracts of acquired real property segmented in order to create small tracts for the purpose of resale.

Question 8

Steering

Answer 8

The practice in which real estate brokers guide prospective home buyers towards or away
from certain neighborhoods based on their race. Steering is highly illegal.