Serving Diverse Clients

Hate has no home here. It’s a sentiment taken to heart at ERA Justin Realty.

ERA Justin’s team of real estate agents showed this by taking time to learn new ways to best understand and serve the diverse population of Northern New Jersey and beyond. 

A thought-provoking panel discussion was held at Elia Restaurant in East Rutherford. It was led by Tanya Reu-Narvaez, Chief People Officer of Anywhere Real Estate. A Nutley native of Puerto Rican descent, Tanya got right down to business by questioning why some organizations find talking about fostering diversity and inclusion difficult. “They call it a hard conversation,” Tanya said, “Why? We are talking about people.”

In introducing the panel, Tanya welcomed Virginia Caamano, President of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals. Virginia pointed out how the Latino community currently represents more than 40% of the nation’s first time homebuyers, and it’s growing fast. “It’s expected to reach 70% by the year 2035!” she added.

Virginia relayed how her own parents, Spanish-speaking immigrants, achieved the American dream of homeownership when they bought their home in Lyndhurst. 

While telling the love story – that led to building wealth – she surprised ERA Justin Broker/Owner Jennifer Darby Metzger with a heart-warming fact: “My parents bought that house with the help of an agent from ERA Justin,” Virginia said, “And they called her back 30 years later when it was time to sell.” That agent, Grace Tirrito, is still with the company. Virginia’s parents are now enjoying retirement in a new oceanfront home.

Also on the panel was Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) Vice President Soo Yu, who recounted the racism she often faces at home showings. She told of the time another agent was surprised to find she spoke English then still talked loudly as if she and her clients would not understand otherwise. “I had a choice,” she said. “I could either say ‘EXCUSE ME’? Or realize it’s just ignorance.”

Another segment of the population which is often highly discriminated against in real estate is the LGBTQ+ community. David Siroty from the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance pointed out that even though the percentage of people who identify as LGBTQ is rising steadily, particularly among younger generations, discrimination at home and at work is still affecting their home buying power. UCLA’s Williams Institute reports that the LGBTQ+ homeownership rate is 49.8%, far lower than the overall national average of 64.6%.  

Some tips the panelists offered to help diverse communities achieve their real estate goals included widening their location search parameters and using utility bills to help establish good credit.

But, it is not just buying power that’s affected in these underserved communities. The panel pointed out selling power is too, particularly when there is inequality in appraisals. A home belonging to a white family will often be valued higher than a similar minority-owned home in the same neighborhood. 

The fear of not getting the price they deserve can be assuaged with a single emotion, according to Virginia Caamano: “Trust. They’re looking for trust.”

If you are looking for a real estate agency you can trust – no matter which segment of the population you identify with – ERA Justin Realty will help you buy or sell your home. Pop into our main location at 46 Chestnut Street in Rutherford or call us at 201-935-7500.