Fair Housing Banned Words for Real Estate Property Descriptions
by the mls writer + NEST IMPRESSIONS | your real estate copywriting + marketing team
Ever tried to writing your own listing description remarks and felt like you were walking on eggshells, afraid to say the wrong thing?
Welcome to the world of fair housing laws in real estate, where one slip of the tongue (or finger) can turn your dream deal into a legal nightmare. It can feel like navigating a minefield when it comes to these laws, but don’t worry! We’re here to make sense of it all together—and maybe even have a little fun along the way.
Why do these fair housing real estate laws exist?
It’s supposed to make sure everyone has a fair shot at finding a place to call home. That means no funny business when it comes to race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. Think of it like a giant, government-issued fairness referee blowing the whistle on discrimination. Avoid those Fair Housing banned words!
You know the pain when you’ve got an amazing home to sell, but you need to be super careful with your words. This is what we do allllll day at The MLS Writer! It’s crazy how one wrong word can cost you big time!
Phrases like "no children," "perfect for singles," or "Christian community" might seem harmless, but they can send you straight to fair housing “jail.”
So, how do you spice up your real estate remarks without breaking any laws?
The good news is, it’s very much possible to avoid the banned words from Fair Housing laws with a bit of creativity and a dash of savvy. We should know as former appraisers and Realtors who specialize in writing real estate descriptions!
Hiring a professional copywriter who knows the ropes of property marketing and fair housing laws is a great idea. We like to think of ourselves as real estate word wizards can turn your listing from “meh” to “wow” while keeping you out of hot water, hopefully! And let's face it, professional wordsmith skills miiiiight just be better than yours...
Regular training on fair housing laws can turn you into a compliance ninja. Plus, who doesn’t love a good training session? (Okay, maybe not everyone, but it’s necessary!)
Instead of focusing on WHO the property is perfect for, highlight its amazing features in the real estate remarks.
Swap out “perfect for singles” with “close to all the best nightlife spots.” Boom! You’ve just made your listing appealing without excluding anyone. When in doubt, call in the pros. Consulting with a legal advisor who specializes in real estate law can save you from potential headaches. They’ll help you ensure your listing is squeaky clean.
Set up an internal review process. Get a few eyes on each listing before it goes live, even when you hire a professional copywriting service. This can catch any slip-ups and keep your advertising on the right side of the law. Ultimately, it's your listing, and you're the one that has to responsibly place it into the MLS.
The Consequences of Dropping the (Real Estate) Ball
If you accidentally (or on purpose) use those no-no words, the fines and legal battles can be hefty. Imagine being caught in a legal drama where you’re the unwilling star—no thanks! Beyond the courtroom, your reputation could take a hit. No one wants to be known as the Realtor who discriminates.
In extreme cases, you could even lose your license. And let’s not forget the financial toll: legal fees, fines, and lost business can add up faster than you can say “lawsuit.”
Writing Compliant Real Estate Descriptions Can Be Tricky!
Fair housing laws are probably here to stay, and they play an important role in ensuring everyone gets a fair shot at finding a home. Yes, they make marketing a bit trickier, but with the right strategies, you can navigate this landscape like a pro. Here are some pro tips to help you write better property remarks.
Consider hiring The MLS Writer team as your real estate word wizards to avoid those banned words while also getting yourself trained up on the Fair Housing laws.
Focus on the property’s features, and always get a second set of eyes on all of your listing descriptions!
Meet the Founder of The MLS Writer
KASI LIZ HYRAPETT
Former REALTOR/Appraiser + Photographer with a passion for writing captivating real estate listing descriptions and creating marketing content for Realtors and other housing-related businesses.
The MLS Writer + NEST IMPRESSIONS is a professional real estate copywriting team founded by Kasi Liz Hyrapett, a former REALTOR, Appraiser + Real Estate Photographer based in the Los Angeles area.
Professionally crafted real estate marketing emails, MLS listing descriptions, blog articles, and co-marketing ideas are for savvy and busy real estate professionals who want to dominate their local market with top-notch, compelling copywriting to fuel their real estate marketing.
Top producers DON’T rely on ChatGPT…
The MLS Writer’s team of professional real estate copywriters aims to improve real estate marketing efforts and inspire readers to take action. Though ChatGPT is often used in real estate these days, Kasi leads a team of human copywriters.
No hassle. Zero fluff.
Enhance your reputation with carefully selected words for each piece of your real estate marketing content we create for you to make each word irresistible to homebuyers, sellers, and other real estate professionals on and off the MLS.
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