What is Fair Housing? How to Spot a Fair Housing Violation? How to Avoid Discriminating?

Have you ever been searching for an apartment with your kids and due to working nights, you want a third floor apartment because the buildings have three floors but the leasing agent tells you that they only have first floor apartments available?  Or due to not being able to communicate well because you have a strong accent the apartment manager told you there were no homes available?  How about if you practice Islam and when you were wearing your hijab and they sent you to the scariest part of the apartment community?  Are you pregnant and you want a one bedroom apartment but the staff at the apartment community tells you they only have two bedroom apartments?  When you walk the community do you see that the Latinos are in one building, are the Whites in another building and the African American families are on another part of the community?

The United States Federal Government has a law that protects citizens in the United States, regardless of immigration status, of any discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and disability.  This law is called Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended.  Each local and state government may have additional protections.  In the state of Maryland “marital status” and “sexual orientation” are protected classes.

In some instances, owners are allowed, within the law, to discriminate against certain individuals.  Owners of a single family home, that is their primary residence, may reject a tenant for rooms based on sex, marital status and/or sexual orientation.  As well as an owner of a building of five or fewer rental units who occupies one of those units may also reject applicants in the three categories mention above.  Additionally, religious organizations, private clubs, people convicted of manufacture and selling of illegal drugs, communities for people above the age of 55, and owners not renting to families larger than what the fire code dictates.  They can discriminate as well as long as they do it to everyone, in a constant basis and do not violate their own by-laws.

Discrimination against you for seeking a home for sale, rental and financing to purchase a home is illegal. If found to have been discriminated, owners and the person commiting the discriminating offense can be sued and fined millions which may include jail sentence.

If you feel that you have been discriminated against there is help.  Baltimore Neighborhoods Inc is the local non-profit organization that helps promotes justice in housing for all people in the State of Maryland, with the exception of Montgomery County, through fair housing and tenant-landlord programs and public information activities.

If you have any questions, concerns or file a complaint you may contact Baltimore Neighborhoods Inc by visiting their offices located in 2530 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218.  Their phone number is (410) 243-6007 or (410) 243-4400.  You can learn more by visiting their website at www.bni-maryland.org.

To learn more about Fair Housing, a federal program governed by the US Department of Housing and Urban Develpment  and submit a complaint you can visit their website http://goo.gl/1BnbN2

The best way to avoid these types of situations is by buying your own home.  If you would like to buy a home please give me a call for a free consultation or meet me in person at the Southeast CDC Home buying workshop in Spanish on Saturday January 17 from 9AM to 4PM.

Nathalia Cruz-Edmonds is a Realtor with PS International Team of Berkshire Hathaway Homesale Realty and she is also the owner of Clearview Real Estate Management LLC.  To speak to her you can email her at nathaliaedmonds@gmail.com or call her at (410) 350-5848.

Safety First! Useful tip when showing homes or when you feel seriously threatened.

A week ago the social site Reddit asked about the most random 911 calls a dispatcher had ever received.  Keith Weisinger had one that most likely saved a life!

The distressed victim had called 911 and called for a PIZZA but when in fact she was asking for help against her abusive and drunk boyfriend.  The dispatcher was quick to understand that she had not made a mistake but in fact called to report her boyfriend to the authorities for being physically abusive to her.

To learn more about the story, click here.

This brings me as to our brokerage procedure that we have when showing homes.  One is to log into a shared document when we have showings and enter the client's car information, as well as to take a picture of the car and get the license plate number.  The other one is to call the office when in distress and ask for "the red folder" and give the address. 

But this idea is even better because it eliminates someone calling a third person when in fact you can do it yourself.

I hope to God no one has to make this type of decision but better be prepared than sorry.  I only pray to remember this when I am in danger.

I want to buy a house - Now What? - Five steps to follow to get ready to buy your new home!

You want to buy a home.  Great!  Now what?

First thing:  How much can you afford?

It doesn't matter if you know the location, or how many baths you have, or which school district your kid must stay in, but how much can you afford?

If you don't already know here are some tips:

1) You MUST make a budget!  Rachel Cruze not only is she pretty but she explains stuff very easy!  Here is her video Let's Break Down a Monthly Budget!

2) Start saving and DO NOT get in additional debt!  So closing cost will be about 7% ADDITIONAL to what you will be paying for the house.  That doesn't include if your loan needs for you to put any money down.  Do not buy a car, spend more money on the credit card.  Be strong!  The Force is with you!

3) Check your credit!  Every year you get a free credit report!  Get it and make sure the stuff in there is accurate!  If it is not go online and find a way to report a discrepancy BUT mail your complaints!!  By law Credit Companies have to reply to you within 30 days because if they fail they will have to erase that inquiry!!

4) Talk to A bank!  I always get 3 quotes.  You should do the same WITHOUT them doing a hard inquiry on your credit.  See what the best options are for your with interest rates and discounts on doing automated payments!

5) Always go under 28% of your income.  The magic number that banks use to qualify you for a mortgage is that your debts cannot exceed 28% of your net monthly income.  This is not because the banks are greedy but it's because YOU need to have fun.  YOU need to eat.  YOU need to save for retirement.

I want you as much as anyone for you to buy a home but you must do it wisely.  If you already know you checklist is on point and you are ready to see some homes, please call me at (410) 350-5848 or email me at nathaliaedmonds@gmail.com.  Our website is coming up soon!

Finally! I was lost but now I have a compass!

Finally!  I was lost but now I have a compass!  On Friday June 13, 2014, only three days before my 32nd birthday, I was told my employment with Morgan Properties was terminated.  All I could think of was "But I just ordered my birthday cake!"

 

It is Thursday October 2, 2014 and I can say that even though I have been unable to find my path, I have a good compass and a set of tools to navigate through life with my head held up high!  The path wasn't easy but it was crowded with the right people.  In the beginning it was hard to see because I had my head up my behind.  I still can't see but my compass is guiding me the right way!

 

How do I know?  Because I am happy!  I feel productive!  Creativity is coming in slowly.  I'm excited about my future!  So this is what I have been doing:

 

1)  Sold my first house on Sept 4th

2) Opened my 2nd Property Management Company for HOA/Condo Associations

3) Have written a lot of contracts!

4) Have a business coach

5) Have a real estate property management mentor

6) Going to counseling

7) Started drawing

8) Have a part time job being concierge at a Luxury Apartment Complex Downtown

10) Wore my PINK hard hat at a solar panel farm!!

 

 

 

11) Cut my hair!!

12) Will be going to Puerto Rico in November

 

My husband and I went through a couple of hick-ups but his disposition to make things work is fabulous!  We accept we communicate differently and make adjustments.

 

As for my real estate sales, slowly but surely!  Went to the Dundalk Housing Fair last Saturday and we got 20 leads!  Sent emails out today!  I  have been sending  my FSBO (For Sale By Owner) care packages!  They are a riot!  Been following up with them too!  Third and Second letters going out on Monday!

 

My mother was operated on yesterday fixing her right wrist which she fractured about two weeks ago.  It was a hard long way but finally it's done.  She is in a lot of pain, which I wish I could take away and make her feel better and have her laughing.  Not having someone laugh, when that's what is what they usually do, it's heartbreaking.  But God is a healing God, by Jesus's blood she will be healed!  She will use that hand to heal others and to bring them blessings!

 

 

Thank you for visiting will be writing more often!

 

Your Friend, Nathalia

Going all the way! Million Dollar Style

So, one of my best qualities and also my worst is being ABRASIVE.

 

Men don't like it.  People that don't pay their rent on time don't like it.

 

But it has gotten me a job, fabulous connections that are now friends and a husband.

 

Therefore I am not changing.

 

I love watching Bravo's Million Dollar Listing New York, specially because of Luis D. Ortiz from Douglas Elliman.  He is Puerto Rican, very handsome and a real estate agent.  It's like me but the female version.  I love his passion, dedication and pursuit of the American Dream.

 

So that got me thinking, I wonder if the Maryland Hispanic Business Conference has someone to be the keynote speaker.  And wouldn't it be FABULOUS to have Luis D. Ortiz to be that person?

 

Another fantastic quality of mine is research.  I went to the Douglas Elliman website and BAM!  With my abrasiveness, I emailed.

 

With in minutes I got a CALL from a lady that works with him.  Stating "Luis wanted me to call you and let you know of his speaking fees."  Mind you, I was on the other phone speaking to a client of mine.  So, I put my other client on hold and I speak to Luis' representative.  I let her know I am a board member for the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and we are involved with the annual Maryland Hispanic Business Conference that is scheduled for Tuesday September 2nd in Bethesda Maryland.  She said she will email me her contact information in the event the board decides they would like Luis to be our keynote speaker.

 

I felt like I was back at a Menudo concert in Bellas Artes, San Juan Puerto Rico. 

Screaming my lungs out.  Jumping uncontrollably.  Counting my blessings.

 

There you have it.  Don't just dream it. Plan it.  Execute it.  Live it!!

 

There is NOTHING TO FEAR, for you and I have Jesus Christ to strenghtens us!!!!!

 

I will soon reveal what EODG means!!



Following John Maxwell's Rule of Five

A friend of mine posted something very inspiration but like the saying goes "People remember how you make them feel" I totally forgot what the message said BUT I remember how it made me feel.  The message made me feel empowered!

So I decided to look into this John Maxwell person. 

POW!!

This is what I found "John Maxwell's Rule of Five"

It was the best hour of my life!!  Here are his Rule of Five:

• Lead – We lead ourselves and our business to fulfill our purpose.
• Grow – We grow ourselves and our business to achieve our potential.
• Create – We create world-class leadership resources and experiences.
• Excel – We chase excellence in all we do.
• Serve – We serve our clients, colleagues and community

John stated he does the following every day since he was 17:

1. Every day I read.
2. Every day I file.
3. Every day I ask questions.
4. Every day I think.
5. Every day I write.

The part that resonated with me is that in order to be an expert of any subject I have to read about it for one hour a day.  In about five years, I will be an expert.

What do I want to be an expert on?  Real Estate.  From land, to construction, to buying, to selling, to wholesale, to leasing, etc.  I should be an expert on multi-family real estate but even though I have worked in this industry for seven years, I am not passionate about it and I should be.  Better yet, I will be!

I am in the search for my own Rule of Five.  Do you know what your Rule of Five are?

Change starts with YOU

Change starts with YOU.  This saying is pretty old.  We have heard it a billion times but when you literally hit a wall, THAT becomes your only hope. 

When nothing else makes you happy, one must start to evaluate from within to dig out the true reason for your discomfort.  Another tool I use is reading the Bible.  Out of everyone you know, God is the ONLY one that will love you unconditionally.   You will NEVER let Him down.  He wants to be your EVERYTHING!   From the time you open your eyes, from your snack, from that stupid joke, from that hot meal you eat, from that last conscious breath you take before going to bed.

Once you get the part of loving God with all your heart down pat, everything will flow.  You will learn your limits, your will learn what needs to change, you will be daring in making those choices and your life will change.  But remember, you cannot expect anyone to help you make those changes, you need to taste the bitter to enjoy the sweet.

Take Action ~ Be Fearless

Fear paralyzes people.  Fear of rejection could have led you to meet your husband/wife.  Fear of sounding stupid could have led you to solve a big mystery or answer someone else question.  Fear of the unknown could have led you to a new adventure that would have made you happier or richer.

I run on fear.

The adrenaline rush that I get when I don't know what is around the corner makes me happier and it produces the greatest adventures.

I asked my husband out.  I met him FOUR months before our first date.  A week before our first, and last date, I asked a coworker of his about him.  This coworker stated that, my now husband, liked me.  Therefore I told his coworker, give him my phone number.  After 24 lousy hours of hard to get, I asked him out.  We have been together for five years and four years married.

You have to work hard for things that will bring you the greatest joy.  You also have to trust in GOD when the path is very dark.  God said "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29: 11 NIV)

My Alma Mater Seton Hill University slogan is "HAZARD YET FORWARD".

Keep trucking my friends!

-Nathalia