Whether your advertising is in print, broadcast or online, make sure you are following these basic rules so you don’t violate state law or run afoul of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics.
DO…
- Be honest and truthful
Present a true picture
Ensure your status as a real estate professional is readily apparent
Disclose any benefit from a third party
Offer thorough, advance understanding of all terms and conditions of any offering of premiums, prizes, merchandise discounts, etc. as an inducement to list, sell, purchase or lease property
Disclose the name of your real estate firm in a reasonable and readily apparent manner
Disclose your status as an owner or landlord
Ensure the information on your website is current and include the firm’s name and state(s) of licensure in a reasonable and readily apparent manner
Disclose if information gathered via the Internet will be shared or sold
Display only professional designations, certifications and other credentials to which you are legitimately entitled
Disclose your status as the managing broker, if applicable
DON’T…
Be misleading or untruthful
Post blind ads
Advertise property without authority
Quote a price that is different than what was agreed to with the seller or landlord
Engage in deceptive or unauthorized framing of real estate brokerage websites
Manipulate listings and other content in any way that produces a deceptive or misleading result
Deceptively use metatags, keywords, or other devices/methods to direct, drive or divert Internet traffic
Present content developed by others without either attribution or permission
Use or register URLs or domain names that present less than a true picture
Represent a service as free or available at no cost unless you will receive no compensation from any source for that service