The Big IDEA

REALTORS® know the importance of adapting and remaining relevant in today’s marketplace. By developing a business practice rooted in inclusion and equality, REALTORS® can help buyers of all cultural backgrounds achieve the dream of homeownership. The At Home With Diversity® (AHWD) certification course covers how to work effectively with diverse populations so that you can build business success in today’s multicultural real estate market. Earn your certification today.

AHWD Certified BCAR Members

Updated on December 6, 2023

Fairhaven is a town every REALTOR® should visit. Online, that is.

Fairhaven is a fair housing simulation for REALTORS® that uses the power of storytelling to help members identify, prevent, and address discriminatory practices in real estate. Inspired by real stories, this innovative online experience has agents work against the clock to sell homes in the fictional town of Fairhaven, while confronting discrimination in the homebuying process.

Be an advocate for fair housing and the future of our industry. Commit to combating discrimination in real estate.

Get started by visiting fairhaven.realtor to explore the fictional town of Fairhaven and assess how well you are adhering to fair housing principles.

Completed the Fairhaven Challenge

Updated on December 6, 2023

Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing helps real estate professionals interrupt stereotypical thinking so they can avoid fair housing pitfalls and provide equal professional service to every client.

Dive into the mind science of identity, study how implicit bias can result in fair housing violations, and engage in interactive exercises to enhance communication skills and business relationships with clients of all backgrounds.

Visit our course calendar to view upcoming course dates.

Change starts with understanding the practices and problems that got us to where we are today. Watch NAR's new implicit bias training video, which aims to help you uncover and address unconscious stereotypes. If you’re not already familiar, take the time to educate yourself on the history of redlining and the general history of inequality in the real estate industry. Delve a bit deeper in your own city and state to get a stronger grasp on what has taken place in your community.

Consider taking the Implicit Bias Test.

After watching the video, visit NAR.REALTOR to answer the following questions -

• How does bias affect the real estate market and my business?
• What can I do to counter biases?

NC REALTORS® offers a dynamic online education opportunity. CE Elective Fair Housing & Beyond covers the following topics -

• Discrimination & housing
• Types of violations
• Advertising rules
• ADA
• Penalties
• Fair employment practices
• Fair credit practices
• Anti-trust laws
• Bankruptcy protection
• Environmental considerations
• Data security

Click here to view NC REALTORs upcoming courses.

CE Elective Assistance Animals & Fair Housing

Offered by BCARs partner in self-paced education, The CE Shop

• The evolving fair housing law
• American's with Disabilities Act & Fair Housing Act - how they intersect & don't
• Types of assistance animals
• How to handle reasonable request for accommodation
• Case studies & legal trends
• Scenarios to help apply course content to real life

4 hours of NC Continuing Education Elective credit

Click here for details and registration.

The Workforce Housing Specialist certification program provides real estate professionals with the knowledge of available programs and resources to assist workforce housing buyers while enhancing their skills, expertise, and versatility in the field of real estate.

BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION

• Gain access to down payment options only open to WHS certified.
• Become an affordable housing expert in community
• Remain educated on homeownership affordability
• Advocate for affordable housing
• Gain industry recognition by NCR and BCAR
• Receive a certificate and a pin
• Advertise your credentials in your marketing

HOW TO EARN THE CERTIFICATION

+ Complete 20 hours of coursework within 18 months
+ Graduates are required to recertify every year in order to keep the certification

Step 1 - Complete 3 Core Courses
Step 2 - Complete 1 Elective Course

Core Courses 
> Financing in Todays Market
> Financing Dreams
> At Home With Diversity or Bias Override

Elective Courses
> Legal Risk in Real Estate
> Military Relocation Professional
> Beneath the Surface: Understanding the Anatomy of a House
> Fair Housing and Beyond
> Meeting the Needs of Buyers and Sellers
> Successful Buyer Client Systems 

READY, SET, LEARN! 

To set up your course plan, find the classes that work best for you, and earn the Workforce Housing Specialist certification, contact Katie Simmons, Education Coordinator at katie@bcarnc.com. 

WHS certification is recognized by NC REALTORS® and is a state certification. It is not a national certification or endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS®. 

NC REALTORS® created the Fair Housing Academy to help BICs facilitate fair housing training for agents.

Programs

• The BIC Fair Housing Program consist of training videos, resources to help you lead discussion, workbook for video, and homework assignments for agents.
• The Student Fair Housing Program goes through the Fair Housing Academy with discussion topics to help reflect on video messages and how they apply to your business.
• The BIC Talk Webinar will go over tips on how to facilitate Fair Housing at your firm.

Post Program Homework

• When you complete the Fair Housing Academy program, complete the form on NCRs website. 
• Fill out your Fair Housing Academy certification of completion.
• Take a picture with your certification and post it to social media using #fairhousingacademy
• Complete NCRs Fair Housing Academy survey.

Visit NC REALTORS® website for more information. 

Presented by Newsday

After a 3-year investigation, with over 90 real estate agents tested, over 200 hours of meetings recorded, and over 5700 house listings analyzed, the Newsday investigation uncovered widespread evidence of unequal treatment by real estate agents on Long Island.

BCAR encourages you to view the report as a learning opportunity.

Click here to view Long Island Divided | A Newsday Report

BCAR encourages Broker in Charge members to assist us in promoting social change. Making sure we include leaders who serve all parts of our market will make BCAR better advocates for homeownership and private property rights.

Created for BCAR Broker in Charge members, our BIC Diversity Toolkit will help you lead conversation and train your agents.

After you and your agents have completed all task in the Diversity Promotion Toolkit, submit the Diversity Toolkit Completion Form. This will allow BCAR to promote and advertise your office's accomplishments.