Invisible and Inappropriate: How do Market Forces Drive Latino Segregation?

• In Event: Informality and Markets

Abstract

Inequalities of access to housing have become a key issue in sociology but little attention has been paid to micro socio-economic processes affecting how people choose and buy a house. An important body of literature in stratification has focused on residential preferences and choices to explain mobility and segregation for poor minorities. Although these studies have provided valuable insights, they do not consider directly the role of housing markets and professionals such as real estate agents.

Drawing on ethnographic observations and interviews in a medium Southwestern city of the United States, the paper proposes to look at the dynamics of Latino segregation through the lens of real estate and housing market dynamics. By looking at the quality and quantity of real estate activities in one area, I analyze how areas with lower socio-economic status and strong Latino population are seen and presented to homebuyers. I choose different “arenas” for my observations (interactions between agents and homebuyers, descriptions of houses in the area made in the multiple listing service, to rent or to sell signs, buying and renting activities in the area). The analysis shows two different modes of presentation: 1) specific targeting: these areas are targeted towards specific buyers, of lower economic status, and are often assumed as “inappropriate” and “dangerous” for the rest of the homebuyers; 2) “invisibilization”: these areas are not talked about with real estate professionals. The paper sheds light on the work performed by real estate agents in the process of residential choices and housing valuation.

Author

• Eliza Benites Gambirazio