Real Estate Advertising No-no's
Prior to becoming a real estate agent in Los Angeles, I worked in the banking industry. At one bank, I subbed for a vacationing co-worker as loan committee secretary. My instructions were clear: “Do not submit any loan for approval to Mr. B if there was an old car in the driveway or parked in front of the home on the street.” If there was an unattractive car in sight the loan was declined. Yes, this does sound unfair and perhaps another version of “redlining”.
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability).
Government regulation is like a recipe, you need just the right amount of each ingredient. I hope our new President can figure out the right ingredients. I complain when I perceive that the government is too lax on regulating the banking industry, I moan when I believe the government has over-watchdogged my title rep. And now I want to gripe about what I feel is overly restrictive advertising. Do you find any of the following offensive? Because as a Realtor I can't advertise:
“His and hers” closets (they are now dual closets)
“Perfect for singles” even when the home is very tiny, a family can not be discouraged through advertising
A home with a small back yard can not be “ideal for empty nesters”, but is a perfect “condo alternative”
An “executive” home is another no-no
A home is located adjacent to, not within “walking” distance
A four bedroom home with a large back yard is not an ideal “family” home
But yet, I can advertise a handyman's special; I don't need to state handyperson's. I am safe to state a large yard is great for dogs but I am walking the fence if the same yard is advertised as perfect for children.
Trackbacks
-
3/27/2009 8:43 AM
Los Angeles Real Estate Blog wrote:
Los Angeles area real estate agents, are not permitted to advertise a home as an adult home. But how would you describe this South Pasadena home with panoramic views, two large decks, but no actual grassy level yard? ________________________________________________________Skinny dippers would love the second deck with spa ________________________________________________________The master bath has an oversized tub and party sized shower with views to forever___________________________________________________________3 2, 1840 sq ft (newly listed) @ $829,000 - Natalie showed it yesterday, but her client felt it didn't suit their family. Interested? Call me: ...
I think you're being a little insensitive. Just because you aren't in an oppressed minority targeted by this type of regulation, it doesn't mean you shouldn't take care in offending those who are oppressed. I wonder how you would feel if you were in a wheelchair and saw "walking distance" in a real estate ad.
Reply to this
Nick, thank you for sharing your opinion, I appreciate your feedback.
What constitutes an oppressed minority? I can advertise that a home has natural lighting, but what if you are blind - is that offensive? I still believe that our society is too sensitive.
Reply to this
I think you are overly sensitive. The fact that one may be in a wheelchair does not change the fact that something may be within "walking distance."
We can't change the world for a few squeaky wheels.
Reply to this
Phyllis, I agree with your comment, our society has become too sensitive. At what point do we end the restrictions and oversight?
It’s ridiculous; why would anyone feel oppressed or offended because you stated the truth in an advertisement? If the local park is a short walk should we also include in parenthesis: (walk, wheelchair stroll, minute drive, or ???). I understand what Nick is trying to say, but at some point we as a whole have to stop being so hypersensitive.
So, when homes are advertised as being "handicap accessible" should I feel oppressed or offended because I don’t require a ramp? This is going on everywhere, kids are growing up lazy and emotionally fragile because at some point in the past few years it has become wrong to be a winner and okay to be a loser, now everyone is a “winner”. If this is the case, what is the point of any competition? This all stems from the same hypersensitive culture that we have created. I don’t buy into it.
Unfortunately, the world is not always a nice place and the sooner we acknowledge that, we will stop complaining about irrelevant things like “a short walk away" come on really? We don’t have any more pressing issues to feel offended by?
Reply to this