I wish the incident I will soon describe represented a scene in a blaxplotation film. I wish the story I will soon apprise you of came prior to civil rights movement in the 1950s. It would make more sense if the situation had occurred in a state not as well known for tolerance and acceptance of diversity.
I toured an open house in La Canada with my family. The property was listed at 6.9million dollars represented by this real eastate group. I love real estate, have toured open houses since childhood with my mom and going into an open house with my family represents somewhat nostalgic experience for me. I actually purchased my first home by going to an open house, but It is a well known fact that most real estate agents dont find potential buyers at open houses but potential clients and then there is always the group of lookie loos which in all honesty was me but likely the several other familes present. I mean seriously, if someone is in the market for a home with this value you can be sure they are sending out the realtor to look prior to taking them.
Nevertheless, when we entered we were not greeted warmly. Real estate agent Michelle Ko and two other people, one of them I later found out was her husband and a younger woman I would approxmate in mid to late twenties were present in the foyer and advised my family, that it is customary in their culture to remove shoes when entering a home or alternatively we could apply disposable booties. No problem, done it in many open houses. During the process while we were taking our shoes off, the listing agent said something in a hushed tone to the other two people with her. Shortly after starting our self guided tour of the property I noticed we were being followed around by the younger woman. I asked her is she wanted to give us a tour, she declined, I then asked her why she was following us when there were several other families also touring who she had not attended to in the same manner. She stopped following us, we proceeded upstairs, only to notice Mrs Ko's husband shadowing my family in the same manner. I then asked him if he was the listing agent, he said no, he was the listing agents husband, I expressed that his conduct was offensive, particulalry due to the fact there were several other families present and not being treated in the same manner. I sent this incident to Kobeissi properties online with the suggestion that they should use the incident to address cultural sensitivity, and with the recommendation that if they are conducting open houses the staff present be open and professional, otherwise they should reserve property viewings for brokers or show properties by appointment only.
Luckily this experience will not prevent me from continuing to look at open houses, but created a renewed awareness that discrimination and bias is still alive and well. read more
