ZillowVERIFIEDI dont even know where to begin because Im hurt, disappointed and plain angry. My fiance and I have been avidly trying to rent a home for 3 months to no avail; besides the lack of inventory, the predatory behavior by some homes owners, scams and competing against 100-300 applicants for ONE home has been exhausting! Both of us have good credit, no debt, no evictions and a substantial amount of money saved, but its been a nightmare. So, one can understand how excited we were to receive a text from Edgar last week not only proclaiming we were EXCELLENT candidates, but offering a tour of the home wed applied to a week or so earlier. Its important to note I am out of state and my Fiance is located in California. My fiance has also been in his position for over 27 years in the city of Los Angeles. I am a clinical psychotherapist and relocating to take a position soon in California. After confirming the appointment my fiance showed up to the property about an hour early to check out the neighborhood and surrounding areas. He contacted me on FaceTime so I could view the surrounding areas. He sat in front of the home for about 30 minutes after we explore the area and a few other people showed up. Someone pulled into the drive way and he assumed it was an agent, but it was actually the owner and when he approached her she was extremely hesitant and said she knew nothing about any tours today. About two seconds later two Asian girls walked up and she invited them into the house about five minutes later. While they were waiting to be let inside, they informed my fiance that they too were there for the tour. About 25 minutes later, They emerged from The home and my fiance Then approached the front door as they exited. I guess its also important to note that we are black because that seems to be the determining factor in this whole situation. The owner was still reluctant but she allowed my fiance into the hallway and proceeded to show him the home. He was very polite and hesitant to move throughout the hall without her permission to enter in different parts of the home. Towards the end of the tour we inquired about the approval process and he informed her that we would be willing to pay a few months rent in advance; as the agent had advised would be a bonus and a security to obtain in the home. She proceeded to tell my fiance that there would not be a final decision until quote the guy from the county showed up because he had good job and the agent preferred him. My fiance chuckled and showed her his badge and said Im the guy from the county. Her face dropped and she looked very surprised and he was actually the person that they were waiting for all along. He thanked her for the tour and left. Upon getting back in the car he confessed how uncomfortable the tour was and how uncomfortable the owner seemed in his presence. I confirmed I could see the tension in her face. We followed up with Edgar via text message and he immediately responded very enthusiastic about us getting the house. He said that he could work out any details with a deposit and us paying a few months in advance would be a great bonus; and we would hear from him by Monday. Since Friday evening we have not heard from Edgar nor the owner. The house was promptly taken off the market on Monday morning. I sent a follow-up text to Edgar on Monday evening inquiring about the decision with no response. I then sent another email to his listed email from the site on Tuesday evening and still no response. I think its very disheartening to know that weve just experienced racism;that despite Our stable careers and financial stability we were still discriminated simply because we were black. We know thats what it is because theres no other reason for the communication to stop after the way my fiance was treated during the tour. Weve been black long enough to know racism when we experience it and it is always sad and always disappointing. I even sent an email to Edgar directly from my email account telling him it was OK if we didnt get the home but could he please follow up with us so we know where we stood because we are still looking for a home and dont have much time left before I need to relocate. No response!! I hope this is not how Zillow does Business nor the realty company reliance that he works for. Considering he is a minority as well, it wouldve been nice if he just followed up us as promised; even if it was just to sugarcoat what we already knew was happening. My fiance made a comment after he left the home and said babe if we dont get this house you know why ...its not because were not qualified . I am a native Angeleno and have many important ties to the community. I will be putting these reviews up everywhere I can so that people of color know not to go to this realtor or use this realtor company in the future.
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