Blockbusting

Blockbusting is a real estate practice where agents or developers deliberately promote the idea that the demographic makeup of a neighborhood is changing, typically due to the arrival of minority groups. This instills fear in current homeowners about declining property values, prompting them to sell quickly, often at lower prices. The properties are then sold to new buyers, usually at a higher price. This unethical practice exploits racial tensions and contributes to segregation, financial losses for the original homeowners, and can destabilize communities. It was notably used in the mid-20th century in the United States and has since been illegal.