Question about protected classes in commercial real estate
I've tried to research online but haven't found a definitive answer. I'm trying to find out whether a religious organization like a church, when trying to sell a portion of their campus as a new lot with an existing building, close to the church building, has any right to refuse an offer to purchase it based on the buyer being a different religious group that may come into conflict over beliefs. Seems like the Fair Housing Act only applies to dwellings, and I can't find any specific citations to something preventing this. Can anyone help? Thanks.
[{"id": "erngnzd", "text": "You're correct, the FHA only applies to \"housing.\" Even if it were illegal, the problem you're going to run into is that church doesn't really have to tell you why they're rejecting your offer. Even if you offer above asking, they can just refuse the offer without any explanation.", "replies": [{"id": "ernhwkd", "text": "Is there anything official you can link to to support that? That a church has this right?", "replies": [{"id": "ernicxt", "text": "Real estate transactions are voluntary. Everyone has the right to refuse an offer for whatever reason they want, with a few exceptions laid out in the FHA. Even those restrictions are tough to enforce because there's rarely objective proof that an offer was denied based on a person's membership in a protected class. \n\nIt's very similar to hiring an employee. An employer can simply say they didn't like your shoes and there would be no way to prove you weren't hired because your membership in a protected class.", "replies": [{"id": "ernipi8", "text": "But if it could be proven, would the church be open to possible legal action against it? That's really what I'm trying to find an official answer for.", "replies": [{"id": "ernpdqp", "text": "The only way to definitively answer that question is to consult with an attorney in your state.", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ernnn0c", "text": "The government does regulate business, this is America. Protection is for the people, not a business. Then it would not be an open &amp; free market (ie: capitalism). \n\nI don't think your going to find any information on that anywhere. \nBut good luck.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]