The seller was very close to our next door neighbors so he stopped by to say hi to them when he was visiting his family back home. So he figured he'd introduce himself while he was there. Is that really that unusual? And since we bought the house that he painstakingly spent years restoring, he immediately bonded with my husband who is in construction and all about historical preservation. They text back and forth geeking out about diy projects and materials and whatnot. Is that so crazy?

I appreciate your citing the FHA, though. I will note that the buyers, seller, selling agent, and our realtor are all different ethnicities and religions (I've found out as I've gotten to know all parties). Our realtor is actually a badass civil rights leading black baptist preacherwoman who got her real estate license because she was sick of seeing her congregation getting redlined. Any hint of discrimination would not fly with her.

But you are right, I know I am incredibly lucky. My husband and I moved to a new city and found an amazing neighborhood with awesome neighbors and a great relationship with the previous homeowner.