Show Scenarios

Preface: Senate Bill 263, approved by the governor in September 2021, amended the continuing education requirement for the Fair Housing course by requiring that it include an “interactive/participatory” compenent during which the licensee must “roleplay as both a consumer and real estate professional.” You are about to satisify this requirement.

You will be presented with two scenarios: (1) You will play the role of a buyer's agent for John Culver — a disabled man who wants to buy a condo in a building having a lobby that is not wheelchair accessible, and then (2) You will play the role of Dr. Frank Yang — a Taiwanese immigrant who tries his best to work with a reputable brokerage but is thwarted from obtaining effective representation because of the branch manager’s misperception of his problem.

Your buyer is John Culver — a middle-aged man who happens to be disabled. He seeks a home near his employer on the west side of the San Fernando Valley.

JOHN: “I’m an ambulatory wheelchair user, so sometimes I use a wheelchair and sometimes a walker to get around.“

You and John view many listings, but one in particular really impresses John — a condo at the Avalon Center. Not only is it just two blocks from where John works, it also has a great view of the Valley. The listing has been up for quite a while, so you’re sure that the listing agent, Bob, will be pleased to hear that you have a very interested buyer. Unfortunately, after your second visit to the condo at the Avalon Center, you both learn that the condo’s building has a four-step entrance into its lobby.

JOHN: “This isn’t going to work for me long-term. As I get older, I’m going to increasingly need to use my wheelchair to access the lobby. I’m so disappointed. I really love this condo!“

So you meet with Kevin, president of Avalon’s condo board, to convince him and then to convince his board to build a ramp into their lobby. But days later …

KEVIN: Sorry to call with bad news, but the condo association turned down your client’s request for a ramp. The building was constructed in 1921 and is considered historical. The board wants to preserve its original integrity.”

Option One: “I’m really sorry, John. I should have only shown you homes that are ADA accessible. I’ll prepare a new list of properties and we’ll try to find a place even better than Avalon.“

Option Two: “I think if you really love this home, we should appeal the board’s decision, providing you are prepared to pay for the ramp.”

Option Three: “This is an outrage! The law compels the board to accept our proposal. We will take legal action.”

Scenario 1/2: John Wants a Reasonable Accommodation.