Lawsuit claims Oregon’s real estate ‘love letter’ ban stifles free speech

Source: OPB — 

Free speech advocates have filed a preliminary injunction against Oregon’s new law that bans so-called “love letters” from prospective home buyers.

Total Real Estate Group out of Bend wants a federal judge to block Oregon’s law before it goes into effect in January.

The law would stop real estate agents from passing along personal pitches to sellers. Proponents say these letters can be the only edge a first-time buyer has against deep-pocketed investors that buy up entry-level homes to flip or rent out. The concern is that such letters could violate fair housing laws by revealing a buyer’s race, religion, sexual orientation or marital status.