Today’s RealTrending features an interview with Tommie Wehrle, co-chair of the LGBTQ+ REALPRIDE Realogy Employees Relations Group, Coldwell Banker Realty instructor and a broker-associate at Coldwell Banker Realty in Milford, Connecticut. Wehrle, also a member of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, offers advice on how to build diversity and inclusion into your brokerage firm.
Tracey Velt: I think that when serving the LGBTQ community, there are some common issues. And so I want you to talk about those and how to handle them. What advice do you have for brokerage leaders and team leaders to help them better serve this community?
Tommie Wehrle: If I were to talk to brokers, I’d say, create a mission statement and make sure your mission statement includes diversity and inclusion so that you’re training your agents. We have an opportunity to lower the number Fair Housing violations, because there are a lot of them.
Train your agents to be inclusive. Sit down with them and talk about instances where people may think something is funny, but it’s actually offensive. Make sure they are aware and don’t say things like, “I don’t care who you sleep with.” That is just the weirdest thing when somebody says that to me. What do you mean who I sleep with? And they think they’re saying that to be like, “Hey, I’m fine with you.” But agents and managers shouldn’t talk like that.
RealTrending features the brightest minds in real estate. Twice a month, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts share their success secrets, trends, and lessons learned navigating this ever-changing industry. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by Elissa Branch.
