Black Man Gets Told The House Offer Is “Off The Table” Since It’s Cash Only, Proves Them Wrong
“Don’t you ever underestimate a hard-working black man.” Those are the words of Broadway star Robert Hartwell, who bought a house built by slaves back in 1820. The star’s post on social media about the house that he plans to fill with love went viral.
Hartwell also shared how the seller told him that it was a cash-only offer and added, “I’m sure that takes you off the table.” Well, the star proved the seller wrong, said that he feels proud to be a free gay black man, and added that “we are building our own tables.”
Bored Panda has reached out to Hartwell to hear more about his story. Scroll down to see what Hartwell’s gorgeous new house looks like, dear Pandas. And remember to let us know in the comments what you think of the entire situation.
More info: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Broadway star Robert Hartwell bought a historic house built by slaves and shared how the seller spoke to him about the purchase
Image credits: Robert Hartwell
Image credits: Robert Hartwell
Image credits: Robert Hartwell
Image credits: Robert Hartwell
The Broadway Collective founder’s post got 849k likes, 246k shares, and more than 131k comments on Facebook at the time of writing. Meanwhile, his identical post on Instagram got over 146.5k likes in a day.
Social media users supported Hartwell and congratulated him on his achievement and for starting a new chapter in his life.
Among his well-wishers were Hamilton star Ephraim Sykes, Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart, actress Kelli O’Hara, and Mad Men actress Teyonah Parris.
According to Hartwell, he was overwhelmed with gratitude for all the kind words that his friends and fans shared with him. He also added that he can’t wait to share more about the house renovations in the near future. So if you’re interested in updates, dear Readers, be sure to check out the Broadway star’s Instagram for stories about the house in the near future.
Hartwell has appeared in Hello, Dolly!, Motown the Musical, and other productions. He now calls himself an arts education entrepreneur and helps train the next generation of young and aspiring Broadway stars.
Social media users congratulated Hartwell on starting a new chapter in his life
How did the seller know this guy was black seeing as it mentions he called the seller and that is when the seller said that. Unless the seller had heard of him, it was a video call or I am just missing something. It is not like Robert is a stereotypical “black” name like Tyrone.
I am guessing timbre of voice or inflection. Some Americanized Black people have a specific inflection and/or dialect called Ebonics. Never heard Hartwell speak, so I don't know if he does. He could have also been using that way of speaking for a negative reaction. he is in theatre, after all. What is more satisfying than to be told you can't have it, than to plonk down the required cash to buy outright?
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Cash only. What does that mean? Do you have to come in with a bag full of hundreds of thousands of dollars? Genuine question, we don’t buy houses with cash here.
Cash nowadays doesn't necessarily refer to printed money anymore. It can also mean a direct deposit. Meaning all money for the house sent to the original owner's account, instead of monthly payments through a bank or something similar.
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This is one of those stories that there is a lot of suggestions that race is a major factor, but I don't really think that it is. Like it's trying to put this story in a "relevant" context.
I would have to ask you if think *any* stories you read where race was a major factor - if race was actually a major factor or if the idea makes you so uncomfortable you deny it in most or all cases. The seller's advertized offer said *nothing* about cash only. Cash only is so incredibly rare that it would push MOST people out of the game so the original offer would have mentioned it or the seller would have had their heads handed to them if a prominent white person had expressed interest but had been told "sorry, cash only." When it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck...
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Somehow I feel Robert is going to do his best to research the names of the slaves who were living with the Russell family while his beautiful house was being built, and not only display their names in it (and pictures if he ever finds any!), but also say their names out loud everywhere so they won’t be forgotten. He just seems like the type of good, kind, gentle, thoughtful person who would honor them that way.
all these articles on here with supposed racism. that was a tactless comment from the agent before qualifying the buyer, but come on. thats a 500k-1m house all day depending on the area (didn't see location or price). That id going disqualify most buyers, even wealthy ones, from paying CASH. They get their time wasted often by people coming to look who cannot pay cash. shouldn't of said what they said, but doesn't sound very racist.
Does this make you a privileged Millennial....as so few are capable of buying a house?
Ofc it does lol, my broke a*s could never afford something like that even I had to work for the next 30 years for it.
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I SAW HIM ON BROADWAY IN THE 2017 CAST OF HELLO DOLLY AS AN ENSEMBLE!!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!! O MY GOSH!!!!!
Homes have to be up to modern codes for mortgages. This property is a historically registered property that can't get the upgrades for preservation reasons. . The foundation is slab construction for example, while lenders want a poured foundation for example. Most historically registered properties are purchased cash only. I have done work on a couple proerties in SC. If you buy a historic property you only sorta own it.
I'd like to hear the sellers side. With just a few words he took price negotiation out of the transaction. He's probably on some tropical island with his bags of cash. Smirking.
That's a GREAT story! However, as a white woman, I've been judged by the way I dress and ignored at furniture stores, car dealers, etc. because they didn't believe I had money either. People are ignorant. When are they going to stop judging books by their covers? Sometimes the scariest covers have the BEST stories!
I hope you can cook baby - 'cause when I come to visit I expect a decent meal!
This is a marvelous heartwarming story! I am so pleased about your comment about God our Father. He has blessed you abundantly - your smile tells me all I need to know about your journey to becoming a homeowner. Stay well, be happy and continue to look up!
There are no human races, there ethical groups. If there was human races like animals, for instance lion can't mate with a parrot, OK! All humans can have children with someone of an other ethical group.
All humans are originally from Africa. People once the 1st continent (Africa) splited up into several continents, hence the difference between different groups of humans.
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So happy that he was able to prove the sellers wrong and buy the house. Congratulations!!
His home is gorgeous. Wish we could see the inside. I love an old house!
I call BS. Any house sale is cash only if you have a mortgage credit lined up. The seller always receives cash, just not fromnthe buyer, but from the financial institution. In any case, good for you and congratulations on your accomplishment.
Love this story so happy you got this home my brother! May you be blessed and may all of your generations continue to live in this home!!
omg i get emails from this guy for the broadway collective!! happy for him!
I managed several small stores and worked for a chain of stores. The first thing I told the clerks was be polite and helpful to everyone equally. You have no idea what's in their bank accounts. That homeowner was showing his bigotry.
In Cranbrook BC, there was a residential school that was bought by Indigenous and turned it into a Resort making millions off of s****y white people
About bloody time. This shouldn't be a special story though. Should be normal.
Congratulations on your beautiful new home. I hope you have many wonderful years there and you fill it with all the love in the world. Your ancestors are looking down on you and blessing you with their pride. You deserve every happiness and all the love and luck in the world. Just keep being you as this world needs more people like you in it. Thank you so much for this wonderful and truly inspirational story. It made my day.
who cares what the colour of the person, religion or gender is the buyer! Those who are so terribly concerned shouldn’t offer it for sale. I live in Canada and we don’t give a damn. You are so obsessed, it’s so tragic, you will never get over it!.;(
Imagine the disappointment of some rich white people who wanted to bulldoze it down to hide their old shame! :D
Why assume a man can't afford a house just because he's black? There are plenty of black men in this country who earn well enough to make their dreams come true.
Alright y'all, call me Karen if you want but I've been told (as a white woman) "this is probably off the table for you" too, because yes, like most Americans, I'd have to make payments.
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It isn't about "color" per se. It is that his ancestors were enslaved, and the house was built by slaves. I think that the story is special because it is the closing of a loop. It is the same reason that the outpouring of support from Ireland for the Navajo people was so touching. Because the story came full circle.
Load More Replies...
I think you have it backward? The seller was requiring an all cash offer, and thought that the buyer couldn't meet this requirement. I could be wrong?
Load More Replies... 
How did the seller know this guy was black seeing as it mentions he called the seller and that is when the seller said that. Unless the seller had heard of him, it was a video call or I am just missing something. It is not like Robert is a stereotypical “black” name like Tyrone.
I am guessing timbre of voice or inflection. Some Americanized Black people have a specific inflection and/or dialect called Ebonics. Never heard Hartwell speak, so I don't know if he does. He could have also been using that way of speaking for a negative reaction. he is in theatre, after all. What is more satisfying than to be told you can't have it, than to plonk down the required cash to buy outright?
Load More Replies... Cash only. What does that mean? Do you have to come in with a bag full of hundreds of thousands of dollars? Genuine question, we don’t buy houses with cash here.
Cash nowadays doesn't necessarily refer to printed money anymore. It can also mean a direct deposit. Meaning all money for the house sent to the original owner's account, instead of monthly payments through a bank or something similar.
Load More Replies... This is one of those stories that there is a lot of suggestions that race is a major factor, but I don't really think that it is. Like it's trying to put this story in a "relevant" context.
I would have to ask you if think *any* stories you read where race was a major factor - if race was actually a major factor or if the idea makes you so uncomfortable you deny it in most or all cases. The seller's advertized offer said *nothing* about cash only. Cash only is so incredibly rare that it would push MOST people out of the game so the original offer would have mentioned it or the seller would have had their heads handed to them if a prominent white person had expressed interest but had been told "sorry, cash only." When it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck...
Load More Replies... Somehow I feel Robert is going to do his best to research the names of the slaves who were living with the Russell family while his beautiful house was being built, and not only display their names in it (and pictures if he ever finds any!), but also say their names out loud everywhere so they won’t be forgotten. He just seems like the type of good, kind, gentle, thoughtful person who would honor them that way.
all these articles on here with supposed racism. that was a tactless comment from the agent before qualifying the buyer, but come on. thats a 500k-1m house all day depending on the area (didn't see location or price). That id going disqualify most buyers, even wealthy ones, from paying CASH. They get their time wasted often by people coming to look who cannot pay cash. shouldn't of said what they said, but doesn't sound very racist.
Does this make you a privileged Millennial....as so few are capable of buying a house?
Ofc it does lol, my broke a*s could never afford something like that even I had to work for the next 30 years for it.
Load More Replies... I SAW HIM ON BROADWAY IN THE 2017 CAST OF HELLO DOLLY AS AN ENSEMBLE!!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!! O MY GOSH!!!!!
Homes have to be up to modern codes for mortgages. This property is a historically registered property that can't get the upgrades for preservation reasons. . The foundation is slab construction for example, while lenders want a poured foundation for example. Most historically registered properties are purchased cash only. I have done work on a couple proerties in SC. If you buy a historic property you only sorta own it.
I'd like to hear the sellers side. With just a few words he took price negotiation out of the transaction. He's probably on some tropical island with his bags of cash. Smirking.
That's a GREAT story! However, as a white woman, I've been judged by the way I dress and ignored at furniture stores, car dealers, etc. because they didn't believe I had money either. People are ignorant. When are they going to stop judging books by their covers? Sometimes the scariest covers have the BEST stories!
I hope you can cook baby - 'cause when I come to visit I expect a decent meal!
This is a marvelous heartwarming story! I am so pleased about your comment about God our Father. He has blessed you abundantly - your smile tells me all I need to know about your journey to becoming a homeowner. Stay well, be happy and continue to look up!
There are no human races, there ethical groups. If there was human races like animals, for instance lion can't mate with a parrot, OK! All humans can have children with someone of an other ethical group.
All humans are originally from Africa. People once the 1st continent (Africa) splited up into several continents, hence the difference between different groups of humans.
Load More Replies... So happy that he was able to prove the sellers wrong and buy the house. Congratulations!!
His home is gorgeous. Wish we could see the inside. I love an old house!
I call BS. Any house sale is cash only if you have a mortgage credit lined up. The seller always receives cash, just not fromnthe buyer, but from the financial institution. In any case, good for you and congratulations on your accomplishment.
Love this story so happy you got this home my brother! May you be blessed and may all of your generations continue to live in this home!!
omg i get emails from this guy for the broadway collective!! happy for him!
I managed several small stores and worked for a chain of stores. The first thing I told the clerks was be polite and helpful to everyone equally. You have no idea what's in their bank accounts. That homeowner was showing his bigotry.
In Cranbrook BC, there was a residential school that was bought by Indigenous and turned it into a Resort making millions off of s****y white people
About bloody time. This shouldn't be a special story though. Should be normal.
Congratulations on your beautiful new home. I hope you have many wonderful years there and you fill it with all the love in the world. Your ancestors are looking down on you and blessing you with their pride. You deserve every happiness and all the love and luck in the world. Just keep being you as this world needs more people like you in it. Thank you so much for this wonderful and truly inspirational story. It made my day.
who cares what the colour of the person, religion or gender is the buyer! Those who are so terribly concerned shouldn’t offer it for sale. I live in Canada and we don’t give a damn. You are so obsessed, it’s so tragic, you will never get over it!.;(
Imagine the disappointment of some rich white people who wanted to bulldoze it down to hide their old shame! :D
Why assume a man can't afford a house just because he's black? There are plenty of black men in this country who earn well enough to make their dreams come true.
Alright y'all, call me Karen if you want but I've been told (as a white woman) "this is probably off the table for you" too, because yes, like most Americans, I'd have to make payments.
Load More Replies... It isn't about "color" per se. It is that his ancestors were enslaved, and the house was built by slaves. I think that the story is special because it is the closing of a loop. It is the same reason that the outpouring of support from Ireland for the Navajo people was so touching. Because the story came full circle.
Load More Replies... I think you have it backward? The seller was requiring an all cash offer, and thought that the buyer couldn't meet this requirement. I could be wrong?
Load More Replies... 
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