Recently, we published “Where are you crossing the line in your social media discussions?,” an article about how Realtors can unknowingly break the Articles 1, 2 and 15 of the Realtor Code of Ethics through their social media posts and discussions.
The aforementioned articles touch on protecting client interests, misleading marketing tactics and trashing other real estate professionals. But these aren’t the only ways Realtors can land themselves in the hot seat on social media.
On March 14, Beverly Hills Realtor Lauren Houston was fired from the Sam Real Group for her comments on activist group Black and Brown United for Change’s Instagram profile.
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Houston posted a number of racist comments under the group’s photos of black and Hispanic protesters.
On one photo, she commented: “Get these thugs out of our country… we need a wall… are you kidding!!! Go Trump.” On another, she made a disparaging comment about a black protester’s hair: “Her thing on her head, Ew.” Lastly, she wrote: “Well they are dirty Mexicans.”
A screenshot of Houston’s comments.
Followers on the page immediately started researching who Houston was and found out she worked for the Sam Real Group in Beverly Hills.
Alexander Juarez, a follower on the Instagram page, was one of many people who contacted the Sam Real Group. “It’s clear these messages need to stop,” said Juarez in a interview on Fox 11. “No more racism will be tolerated on social media.”
After a number of complaints about Houston and her comments, her boss, Sam Real, took to the brokerage’s Instagram page to respond to Houston’s actions and announce her firing. He said:
“At the Sam Real Group, we believe that every individual no matter what their skin color, race or ethnicity is equal in every way. We do not tolerate hateful or racist speech in regards to the comments made by a member employed by Sam Real Group. The employee in question has been terminated from the group. Again, on our behalf please accept our apologies.”
Sam Real’s response to Houston’s comments.