Have YOU Been the Victim of Fair Housing Discrimination?

Did you know...
That it illegal for anyone to discriminate against you in housing because of:


•· RACE

•· COLOR

•· RELIGION

•· SEX

•· NATIONAL ORIGIN

•· PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HANDICAP

•· FAMILIAL STATUS (FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN)

Federal Fair Housing Laws apply to the sale, rental and financing of residential housing...including apartments, single family homes, mobile homes AND vacant lots to be used for housing. Furthermore...ANYONE who is involved in selling, renting or financing residential property MUST OBEY THE LAW! Therefore, ALL property owners, ALL property managers, ALL real estate agents, ALL landlords, ALL loan officers, ALL builders, ALL developers, ALL mortgage companies, ALL banks and ALL INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE SELLING OR RENTING their property MUST follow the Fair Housing Law.

NOW you know what the law says...BUT do you know what

HOUSING DISCRIMINATION looks like?

Here are a few examples of fair housing violations that I have personally witnessed during my career as a REALTOR® in North Carolina:

•· My clients, a Hispanic family, made an offer on a home that had been on the market for almost a year. When I delivered the offer to the listing agent, she said "Umm...aren't these names ‘Gonzalez' and ‘Gomez' Hispanic names?" I replied "Are you sure you really want to ask me that question?" She said "Well, my seller is not going to sell to any of ‘them'. I can tell you that right now. She already turned down three other offers to ‘those people', and she told me not to bring her anymore offers from ********." I simply replied "I'll expect your client's response within two hours. If I don't hear from you, I'll be contacting the Real Estate Commission to file a complaint." Two hours later, we were under contract.

•· While studying to become a licensed REALTOR®, I worked in a real estate office in Raleigh, NC. One afternoon, I answered a call from a gentleman who was inquiring about a home we had for sale. He informed me that he had been trying to contact the listing agent for days...leaving message after message. After apologizing, I placed the gentleman on hold and notified the listing agent of the call...warning him that the gentleman was concerned that no one had called him back. The listing agent then replied "Oh...well...tell him I'm not here. The owner ain't gonna sell to no ****** and there ain't nothing I can do about it." Still new to the business, I stood there in utter shock at his statement. Then, I told him that I was not there to do his dirty work...that he needed to handle the gentleman with dignity and respect.

•· More times than I can count, I have listened as my clients have shared their experiences of working with other agents who refused to show them homes in the areas they wished to live...showing them only homes in neighborhoods with a predominance of their race. This is called steering, and it is illegal!

•· Years ago, I met a Hispanic family who paid rent based on the number of ‘heads' in the home. I later learned that this is an all too common practice in North Carolina and the South. This same landlord refused to make any repairs in the home...stating "'They' are used to living like pigs."



If you believe that you have been the victim of a fair housing violation, you should contact your state and local government fair housing center. Visit the National Fair Housing Alliance website for more information or to locate the fair housing center in your area. You can also research fair housing violations and learn more about the Federal Fair Housing Law at http://www.fairhousinglaw.org/.

FAIR HOUSING is NOT an option...it is the LAW!

Written and Posted by:

Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR® -- The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

Search Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill Homes for Sale

Durham, North Carolina mourns the death of Lista Yarbrough...a fellow REALTOR® and my friend

Today, after a five year battle with cancer, Lista Yarbrough went home to be with the Lord.
(July 1, 1973 - January 17, 2008)

As the Vice President of the Durham Regional Association of REALTORS® and a top-producing agent with Realty Executives Triangle, Lista was well-known and well-loved by her peers in the real estate business. Since her diagnosis of cancer in 2003, Lista has fought couragiously...openly sharing her story in order to inspire others to fight also. Her death leaves a void that only her contagious smile and loving heart could ever fill.

When I remember Lista, I think of the words 'selfless giving'. Despite her difficult, five year struggle with cancer, Lista always found a way to give of herself to others. I personally believe that she found her strength to keep fighting by giving of herself. She was an amazing woman and an example for all of us to follow.

Since 2003, Lista has participated in the annual Triangle Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Even this past June, she ran the whole race without stopping...even though she was still in recovery from chemotherapy. Her team, Lace up for Lista, raised over $6000 for breast cancer research. In 2003, she also organized volunteers to provide care packages to patients beginning chemotherapy. The Durham Regional Association of REALTORS® honored her with their Service Award in 2004.

Lista, we'll all miss you very much...but we'll never forget the example you set for us! You showed us the real meaning of life...living for others and not for yourself. It was my honor and privilege to be your friend!

Flowers are being accepted, or memorials may be made in Lista's name to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, P.O. Box 71922, Durham, NC 27722. The donations will be applied to Lista's team for this year's race.

Written and Posted by:
Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR® -- The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

Search Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill Homes for Sale

What's YOUR Why???

WHO...WHAT...WHEN...WHERE...HOW??? Remember learning that in school? Our teachers taught us that every story needs to answer these five questions. But...wait...where's the 'WHY'??? I mean...isn't that what we really want to know?

By nature...by divine design...we humans are curious creatures. Unless we know the 'why', we care little about the 'who', 'what', 'when', 'where' or 'how'.

For example...

When my first daughter was born, I imagined a delicate, little princess who would grow up believing that I had ALL of the answers...ACCEPTING everything I told her without question. (This is the point in the story when my husband chuckles and says, 'Yeah right...she's YOUR daughter!') BOY...was I in la la land!!!

One of her first words was 'diet coke' (thanks to our good friends, Bill and Kathi)...followed very quickly by 'WHY'. I always told myself that when my children asked me 'WHY', I would never tell them...'Because I said so!'. Yet, at times, I didn't have an answer. Not wantiing to be THAT mom who could not give my children answers...I realized that I better find out the 'WHY' so that I would be prepared when they asked.

I EVEN made a deal with my children that...IF they did not agree with me, they could discuss (debate) any/all of their objections with me...AS LONG AS they had a well thought out argument and presented it with respect. (This little plan bit me in the behind when they were teenagers! I had trained them so well in the art of argument that I rarely won.)

ALL of the 'stuff' I learned from being (SUPER)mom...I've applied to my real estate career. (Further proof that everything we experience in life makes us better and stronger and prepares us for the next step of our journey.)

When I was newly licensed, I asked myself "Why would ANYONE want to work with me when there are so many experienced agents 'out there'?" By anticipating their questions, I was able to prepare myself for the answer(s) I would give them. I even made a list of ALL the reasons that they should choose me. Then, I decided that I would answer their questions even before they asked. Of course, by 'putting it out there' upfront, it forced me to live up to the expectations I had created. I couldn't tell them that I was the best because I did X,Y and Z IF I did not do X,Y and Z! The most amazing thing is that...because I 'put it out there'...no one ever asked.

Today...in this post...I'm not going to discuss my 'WHY'...my X,Y and Z. It's not important. WHY? It's not important because my 'WHY' is my 'WHY'. You don't need my 'WHY'...you need to find your 'WHY'

Ask yourself...what do you bring to the table that is special and unique. What sets you apart from the other 5000 agents in your market? What life experiences have you had that give you an edge...give you the ability to relate to a certain type of client? What makes you tick? Why did you become a real estate agent in the first place? IF you were a customer, why would you choose to work with you?

IF you have never asked yourself these questions, you may discover things about yourself that you didn't know before. WHAT you discover may prove to be the key to your success. What's your WHY??? When you find out...let me (and the rest of the world) know. We'll be anxiously waiting!

If you have enjoyed this article, let me know. It is so encouraging to hear from you guys!

Written and Posted by:
Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR® -- The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

Search Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill Homes for Sale

NACA - Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (A NON-PROFIT LOAN OPTION YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT!)

IF I told you that there is a HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM that will allow your buyers to purchase a home with:

• NO DOWN PAYMENT...................................You would probably say: (NO BIGGIE)


• NO CLOSING COSTS.....................................You would probably say: (NO WAY!!!)


• NO CONVENTIONAL CREDIT.....................You would probably say: (NOW...You are just CRAZY...LOCO!)


• NO MORTGAGE INSURANCE.....................You would probably say: (WHAT planet are you from?)


• NO KIDDING!!!................................................You would probably say: (OKAY...I'M LISTENING!)

NOW that you are listening...LET ME ADD:

• 30 YEAR FIXED RATE


• A BELOW MARKET INTEREST RATE (CURRENTLY 5.5%)


• RATE CAN BE REDUCED TO ZERO!!!

YOU ARE ASKING...WHAT'S THE CATCH??? HONESTLY...THERE IS NO CATCH!!!

The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America ("NACA") is a non-profit, community advocacy and homeownership organization. NACA's primary goal is to build strong, healthy neighborhoods in urban and rural areas nationwide through affordable homeownership.

I first learned of NACA several years ago...through a client. This particular client had almost no credit, and he earned $12/hour. The very best loan option I could find for him was an FHA; however, he did not have enough money for the down payment. He learned about NACA through a friend who had just closed on his new home...at a 4% FIXED RATE!!! When my client told me about his friend's mortgage, I could not believe what he told me. My disbelief prompted me to investigate...IF FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN TO PROVE THAT IT WAS NOT TRUE!

My mom always taught me to admit when I am wrong. Folks...I WAS WRONG! NACA IS REAL! I have since helped many first time buyers to purchase their home using NACA to obtain their loan. Let me tell you about my first NACA clients.

Alejandro and Tana lived in a mobile home community. Their backyard was a parking lot. They dreamed of buying their own home with a huge yard for their children, but they had little credit. I referred them to NACA, and they were approved for a $140,000 mortgage. They knew exactly what kind of home they wanted, because they had been dreaming about it for eight years. Within days of being approved by NACA, they were under contract to purchase the home of their dreams. Eight weeks later...they were sitting at the closing table.

IF I had not witnessed it myself, I would not believe what I am about to tell you. Through NACA, they were able to obtain a 30 year fixed rate mortgage at less than 1%!!! TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?? IT'S TRUE...I WAS THERE!

SO...WHY HAVE YOU NEVER HEARD ABOUT NACA BEFORE?

Although NACA is the best answer for many buyers...some REALTORS® are hesitant to recommend NACA to their clients. From my experience, the reasons for this vary from agent to agent. Some are simply unfamiliar with NACA and see it as 'too good to be true'. Other agents know that NACA is legitimate, but they feel that NACA's process is too lengthy. (In most cases, it takes 3-6 months to go through the approval process.) Quite a few agents have expressed to me that they are not willing to wait 6 months to get paid. I've also spoken with several agents who have worked with NACA and feel that the program requires too much work from the agent.

If I am completely honest, I agree that NACA is a NOT an easy program. Six months is a long time to wait for an approval, for both the buyer and the agent. AND...YES...NACA's stringent guidelines require much more effort on the part of both buyer and agent. I have closed many successful transactions with NACA, and all of them have been difficult. However...ALL OF THEM HAVE CLOSED! Furthermore, in every case, my clients have told me that the end result of having their own home was worth ALL OF THE WAITING AND HARD WORK. ALL of them have thanked me for recommending them to NACA and for sticking with them till the end.

NACA IS NOT FOR EVERY BUYER...BUT...IT WILL OPEN THE DOOR TO HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR MANY PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT OTHERWISE QUALIFY FOR A HOME.

**NACA is a program for FIRST TIME BUYERS ONLY. If your client owns a home, they MUST sell their home before they apply for a loan with NACA.
**NACA is NOT just for low-to-moderate income families. Anyone,who does not currently own a home, may apply for financing with NACA.
**NACA also offers refinancing. (See naca.com for details.)
For more information about NACA...visit their website at naca.com

Written and Posted by:
Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR® -- The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)
Visit our website at www.ElizabethNieves.com

Corrie Ten Boom and The Widow of Zarephath...Faith and Real Estate???

Some years ago, I came across an old, battered copy of Corrie Ten Boom's book, The Hiding Place. Within moments of opening the book, I was lost in its yellowed pages and Corrie's memories of being imprisoned in brutal concentration camps in The Netherlands and Germany.

In The Hiding Place, Corrie tells of a time when she and her sister Betsie were in particularly horrific conditions, and Betsie was very ill. Corrie had a little bottle of medicine that Betsie desperately needed. Carefully concealing her possession of the contraband medicine, Corrie would ration the medicine to Betsie a little each day. The bottle was dark, but Corrie could feel that the bottle was almost empty.

Corrie tells that there were many other sick women around them...hundreds, in fact, who were just as sick as Betsie. At first, Corrie wanted to keep the medicine just for Betsie...out of fear that it would run out and Betsie would die. Then, Betsie told Corrie that they needed to share...that God would perform a miracle...just as He had done for Elijah and the widow of Zarephath in the Old Testament. God used Betsie to show Corrie that she needed to trust God, and she made a choice to share the medicine with all of those who needed it.

Everyday, for weeks, Corrie would go from one person to the next giving out the precious drops of medicine. Each time she would turn the bottle up, another drop would appear. Each day, she was sure that the medicine would run out. Yet, there would always be another drop. One day, a female guard, who was sympathetic to the women, smuggled in some vitamins. On that very same day, Corrie turned the bottle, and it was dry.

In 1 Kings 17, we find the story that inspired Betsie and Corrie to trust God. Israel was suffering from a drought. During the drought, God sent the prophet Elijah to the brook Cherith. Elijah drank from the brook and the ravens fed him there twice each day. After a period of time, the brook dried up, and God told Elijah it was time to move on. Then the word of the Lord came to him: "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food." So...Elijah got up and left.

When he arrived at the gates of Zarephath, he saw a widow there gathering sticks. Somehow, he knew she was the widow of which God had spoke. He asked her, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?" The widow explained her situation to Elijah: that she lived in extreme poverty, that she had only enough flour and oil for one last meal, that she and her son were going to eat that last meal and then die. Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'" She went away and did as Elijah had told her. And, just as God had promised, the flour and oil did not run out until the drought was over.

For many of us who are a part of the real estate industry, we are experiencing a period of drought. It has not rained in many months, and the brook has dried up. Many real estate professionals are leaving the industry out of fear and necessity. For those of us who have decided to 'stick it out', I want to offer this thought...

Just as Corrie shared her precious drops of medicine, and the widow shared her last handful of flour and last drops of oil...we should be looking around us and sharing with those who are less fortunate than we. When I was a child, my mother would tell me over and over...'No matter how little we have, there is always someone who has less. So, that means that we must always share what we have, because we could be so much worse off.' Her words have stuck with me my whole life. I credit her for teaching me that I have a responsibility to the world around me. Her faith in action taught me to also have faith. In fact, I'm absolutely certain...that IF the Bible were being written today...my mother would be listed as a woman of great faith.

Faith inspires faith. These women...Corrie Ten Boom, The Widow of Zarephath and my precious mother...these simple, quiet women...have inspired and challenged me in ways they never could have imagined. They inspired me to share what I have, whether I have much or little. They inspired me to believe, even when I cannot see. They inspired me to trust that I will gain more by giving than by hoarding. They inspired me to live for others...not only for myself. They inspired me to want to inspire you.

The drought will end someday. Until then...have faith!

If you are planning to buy or sell your home...or know someone who is...I'd love to help! Contact me: Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR® - The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams - (919)749-3749 OR Elizabeth@ElizabethNieves.com

Debt-to-Income Ratio...Is that kinda like the sleep number???

If you have ever applied for a home loan, you probably remember the loan officer talking about your 'debt-to-income ratio' or your 'ratios'. I bet you thought to yourself...'blah, blah, blah' and tuned out until he/she got down to the basics...the important stuff...'How much home can I afford, and how much will my monthly payment be?'

A Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI) is the percentage of a consumer's monthly gross income that goes toward paying debts. In addition to debt, the DTI can also cover other recurring expenses such as taxes, fees and insurance. To make things even more complicated, there are two different kinds of DTI...the front ratio and the back ratio.

The front ratio is the percentage of your monthly gross income that is used to pay your housing costs, including principal, interest, taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance (when applicable) and homeowners association fees (when applicable). For a renter, the front ratio is the monthly rent. For a home owner, the front ratio is the PITI (Principle, Interest, Taxes & Insurance)...and mortgage insurance and home owner association dues, if applicable.

The back ratio is a combination of all of the expenses included in the front ratio, along with your monthly consumer debt. Consumer debt can be car payments, credit card debt, installment loans and similar expenses such as student loan payments, child support payments, alimony payments and legal judgments.. (Auto and life insurance are not categorized as debt.)

You are probaby asking yourself right now...'How can I find out my DTI?' Unlike the 'sleep number', the DTI Ratio has nothing to do with your comfort...it is all about the bank's comfort level with regard to your ability to pay your mortgage payment.

Typically, qualifying ratios for conventional loans is 28/36. This means that no more than 28% of your gross income may be used to pay your total housing expenses, and no more than 36% may be used to pay your total housing expenses plus recurring debt.

Debt to Income Example:

Yearly Gross Income = $60,000 / Divided by 12 = $5,000 per month income
$5,000 Monthly Income x .28 = $1,400 allowed for housing expense
$5,000 Monthly Income x .36 = $1,800 allowed for housing expense plus recurring debt.

Qualifying ratios vary depending on loan type and the credit worthiness of the buyer. For instance, FHA Loans have a slightly higher qualifying ratio of 29/41.

In an earlier post, I discussed the importance of being pre-approved before you begin your home search. Your DTI is only one aspect of your credit picture that your loan officer will examine in order to determine your qualification for a mortgage.

In my next post, I'll discuss 'good' debt versus 'bad' debt. (Can't you just hear the music from the old western movies??) Smile...

If you, or someone you know, is planning to buy or sale...I'd love to help! Please contact me, Elizabeth Nieves, Broker, REALTOR® The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams(919)749-3749 or Elizabeth@ElizabethNieves.com

To search EVERY HOME FOR SALE IN THE MLS...visit my website @ http://www.elizabethnieves.com/.

What are buyers looking for in a home...How does your home measure up???

The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) just released its 2007 Profile of Buyers’ Home Feature Preferences. Their survey measures national trends in buyer preferences.

By understanding what buyers want most in their new home, you can better determine your home's appeal to today's buyers.

Let's look at the questions NAR asked and the answers to those questions...

1. What single home feature do buyers say they want most in a new home? (Central air conditioning)

2. What’s the median size of homes purchased between late 2005 and early 2007? (1,840 square feet)

3. Repeat buyers tend to be choosier than first-time buyers. In particular, repeat buyers place much more emphasis on these home features: (Oversized garages and master bedroom walk-in closets)

4. Within three months after buying their new home, nearly half of all buyers remodeled or made improvements to which part of the house? (Kitchen)

5. Which home feature saw the biggest jump in buyer popularity since 2004, when NAR conducted its previous buyer preference survey? (Oversized garage)

6. What three features did buyers say they’d be most willing to pay extra for in a home? (Central air conditioning, walk-in closets, and hardwood floors)

7. A home’s energy efficiency is most important to which segment of buyers? (New-home buyers)

8. Where do first-time home buyers tend to purchase a home? (Suburb or subdivision)

9. What’s the most common type of home purchased? (Single level)

10. What did new-home buyers most wish their home had more of? (Storage)

Now that you know what buyers are looking for...
perhaps, you are asking yourself..."What if my home doesn't have what they want?"

No worries! One thing I've learned is that there IS a buyer for every home. However, as a REALTOR®, I can tell you that it is much easier to market and sell a home that fits the needs and desires of the majority of buyers. A 'unique' home will appeal to a small pool of potential buyers. Although it only takes one buyer to buy your home, it is easier to find that 'one' buyer if you have a large buyer pool in which to fish!

By knowing what 'they' (the buyers) want...you can better evaluate how your home measures up. Once you recognize your home's strengths and weaknesses, you can decide what you need to do to increase your home's appeal. Often...small changes make huge differences.

Even if you choose to do nothing, you will be making your decision from an informed perspective.


If you, or someone you know, is planning to buy or sale...I'd love to help!
Please contact me, Elizabeth Nieves, Broker, REALTOR®
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams
(919)749-3749 or Elizabeth@ElizabethNieves.com


To search EVERY HOME FOR SALE IN THE MLS...visit my website @ www.ElizabethNieves.com.