If you’ve ever bought or sold a home, you’ve probably heard of the National Association of Realtors (NAR)—the largest real estate trade organization in the U.S.
But what if I told you that the same organization responsible for setting industry standards also has a long history of contributing to racial discrimination in housing?
In my conversation with Richard and Leah Rothstein, we discussed NAR’s troubling legacy and, more importantly, what they should be doing to fix it.
A History of Discrimination—That Still Isn’t Over
In Just Action, Richard and Leah highlight a 2019 investigation by Newsday on Long Island. The study used a method called paired testing, where Black and white buyers with identical financial profiles visited real estate agents.
The results? Disturbing.
In 50% of cases, Black buyers were treated differently than white buyers.
- They were shown fewer listings.
- They were steered away from certain neighborhoods
- They were given less favorable descriptions of the same areas shown to white buyers.
And remember—this was in 2019, not 1919.
What makes it worse? NAR has issued apologies for past discrimination, but according to Leah:
“Apologies are nice, but doing something to make that apology real is what’s needed.”
What NAR Should Be Doing—But Isn’t
So, what actions should NAR take if they’re serious about repairing the harm they’ve caused? Richard and Leah offer two powerful solutions:
1. Fund Independent Fair Housing Testing
Fair housing centers across the country conduct paired testing to expose discrimination. But here’s the problem:
⚠️ They are severely underfunded.
⚠️ They can’t conduct enough tests to cover every region.
Richard’s proposal is simple:
“NAR should fund these independent centers to conduct more testing. But they should not control the process.”
Why is independence so important? Because if NAR controls the tests, they could manipulate results to protect their image.
2. Provide Special Purpose Credit Programs for Black and Latino Buyers
Leah highlights an initiative from a state-level realtor association—a down payment assistance program specifically for Black and Latino homebuyers.
This program was possible under a legal framework called a Special Purpose Credit Program (SPCP), which allows race-targeted financial benefits to address past discrimination.
Her message to NAR is clear:
“If a state-level association can do this, why isn’t NAR doing it nationally?”
Why Real Estate Agents Should Care
I asked Leah and Richard: How can real estate agents push NAR to act?
Their answer: Organize and apply pressure from within.
Realtors hold more power than they realize. After all, NAR represents its members—if enough of them demand change, leadership has to listen.
But that requires agents to value accountability over membership perks.
The Bottom Line: Words Aren’t Enough
Apologies without action are meaningless. And let’s be real—NAR has the money, power, and influence to make a difference. They just need the will.
Imagine if NAR:
- Funded nationwide fair housing testing.
- Provided down payment assistance for marginalized communities.
- Held discriminatory agents accountable by revoking licenses.
That’s what real action looks like.
Watch the Full Conversation
Want to hear Richard and Leah break down these solutions in detail? Watch this part of our conversation here:
Video Timestamp: 00:15:59 - 00:21:03
In Part 5, we’ll talk about tenant rights, evictions, and how communities can fight back against unfair housing practices.