The Jones family has decided to sell their home in Los Angeles and have decided to sell their home as a FSBO without the help of a broker. Jones family places an ad online to solicit buyers. Within a few days they receive a email inquiry from a prospective buyer and proceed to make arrangements to show the home. When the buyer arrives, Mr. Jones is instantly does not like the man as he looks different than Mr. Jones and has a heavy foreign accent. Mr. Jones tells the would be buyer that unfortunately they have already accepted an offer from another buyer. Mr. Jones was in fact lying about the offer as know one else had inquired on the property. As such:
• Has the Jones family violated any state antidiscrimination laws by lying to the buyer? If so, which one(s)? If not, why?
• What about the federal Fair Housing Act?
• What if the Jones family had their home listed with a broker, and the broker lied to the buyer?
