What should be done if a seller refuses to accept an offer from a buyer in a protected class?

When a seller refuses to accept an offer from a buyer in a protected class, the most appropriate action is to terminate the listing. This is due to the legal implications surrounding fair housing laws, which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability.

If the seller's refusal appears to be motivated by discrimination against the protected class, continuing the listing could potentially expose the agent and the brokerage to legal consequences under fair housing regulations. By terminating the listing, it eliminates any chance that the agent could be seen as complicit in discriminatory practices.

This approach also protects the integrity of the housing market and ensures compliance with laws meant to promote equal opportunity in housing transactions. Other options, such as trying to negotiate a different offer or reassuring the seller to reconsider, do not address the potential legal issues or the ethical responsibility to uphold fair housing standards. Advising the buyer to find another property, while potentially practical, does not confront the core issue of discrimination that may need to be addressed.