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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, May 18, 2003: Manoj Mathai’s hunt for his first house could be a lesson to Silicon Valley real estate professionals. A home must have certain qualities to make the native of India happy. The front door must face east because good fortune comes from a rising sun. “In the back of our minds, we Indians are looking for certain things,” Mathai said. “We can talk about it, but some agents will still show us homes with entrances that face the wrong way, not realizing how important things like this are to us.” To avoid such mistakes, home builders and real estate agents across the Bay Area are increasingly making it a priority to understand the cultural differences that define the valley. The Santa Clara County Association of Realtors recently began issuing certificates to members who attend cultural diversity training courses approved by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. “We are some of the most cultural diverse areas in the country,” said Steve G. Delva, of Standard Pacific Homes. “As an industry, we need to take an interest in different cultures, languages, and different attitudes and perceptions.” Delva sent 40 employees to a customized cultural awareness seminar focused on customs and beliefs native to the Philippines, China and India, to learn about the importance of home design, cultural taboos and mannerisms unique to the cultures.

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