September 25, 2022 by admin

Three Black investors in real estate have filed a discrimination suit in federal court in Houston. They claim that in August, a realty agent denied them the opportunity to purchase three condominiums in a new community.

They claim that the units were not given to them because of their race.

According to the suit, James Ra-Amari and Misty Ra-Amari’s wife, Misty Ra-Amari and Rosemary Afful’s sister, Misty, claim that Josie Lin, a realtor, “immediately” “showed reluctance” to interact with them when they expressed interest in purchasing three condos at Grand West Condos in Katy, Texas just west of Houston.

Lin, according to the suit, told Ra-Amaris they would not be able secure a Fannie Mae mortgage loan to purchase the unit due to the condominium’s “owner-occupancy ratio.”

The court documents show that the plaintiffs claim they never wanted Fannie Mae financing.

Misty Ra-Amari stated that she has been involved in real estate for more than 15 years and had never seen anything like it.

The lawsuit

Lin was sued by Lin’s company, UMRE, Grand West Condominiums, Grand West Residential Condominium Association, Inc., United Property Management, and RE/MAX and EXP Reality, which are two real estate brokerages.

Plaintiffs claim that the Grand West Condos information packet promoted the complex as a new option for Chinese and Asian communities.

Lin said to the plaintiffs, “All the current owners were personal friendships and knew each other,” according to the suit.

Plaintiffs claim they are entitled to $2 million in economic damages, as well as additional punitive, compensatory and special damages for extreme mental distress and mental anguish.

CNN obtained court documents that include an undated flyer advertising an Open House at the Condominium Complex. Lin is listed on it as a RE/MAX United agent.

RE/MAX stated to CNN that Lin had no association with the company since December 2021, and that she “had not been associated with RE/MAX in any way” at the time.

CNN reached out to United Property Management (EXP Realty) for comment. Because Lin is alleged to have been acting as an agent of them at the time the incident occurred, they are among the defendants.

According to the Ra-Amaris, their interest in Grand West Condos units hasn’t diminished.

CNN’s James Ra-Amari stated that they are still interested in buying in the community due to its growth. “I won’t allow anyone to distract me or my wife from achieving the goals that I’ve set.”