Inputting Listings with Forbidden Words
It is important for Realcomp Subscribers to abide by Fair Housing laws and NAR settlement compliance rules by NOT using words or phrases that could be construed as discriminatory or non-settlement compliant. Below you will find words and phrases that have been added to Realcomp's Add-Edit (listing data entry program) exclusion list. If any of these words/phrases are entered into a listing, it will either trigger a warning (which will provide you with the opportunity to review and either change or confirm) or a not permitted message (which will require you to remove or revise) to aid MLS Subscribers in achieving compliance.
Making Changes to Listings with Forbidden Words
If you are attempting to make changes to a listing with forbidden words, on the Dates and Statuses page, you will see a warning indicating you are almost finished and a button to view errors. When selecting the "View Errors" button, you will see options to confirm the remarks or identify which fields need editing. Review and edit these fields or remarks as necessary. After making the edits, return to the Dates and Statuses page to confirm. Once confirmed, click to publish any changes.
No compensation/commission information, whatsoever, should be entered into listings as of 8/17/24 (or before). The following list of words and phrases is to be used as a guide for avoiding non-compliant language. This list is not all-inclusive or complete, but is a suggested starting point:
Forbidden Symbols, Words, and/or Phrases:
- “BA” (and various other ways of expressing ba)
- buyer-agent
- buyer agent
- commission
- comp
- compensation
- percent of close price
- variable
Warning Words and/or Phrases:
- $
- %
- 1 child or one child or one person
- 2 children or two children or 2 people or two people
- 3 children or three children or 3 people or three people
- 4 children or four children or 4 people or four people
- 5 children or five children or 5 people or five people
- 6 children or six children or 6 people or six people
- 7 children or seven children or 7 people or seven people
- 8 children or eight children or 8 people or eight people
- 9 children or nine children or 9 people or nine people
- 10 children or ten children or 10 people or ten people
- able bodied
- adult community
- adult living
- adult park
- adults only
- african
- agile
- AIDS
- American Indian
- Appalachian
- asian
- bachelor
- board approval required
- bonus
- catholic
- caucasian
- chicano
- chinese
- christian
- church
- colored
- couple
- couples only
- dollar
- dual
- empty nesters
- English only
- golden agers
- healthy only
- hindu
- hispanic
- HIV
- Hungarian
- independent living
- indian
- Indian
- integrated
- irish
- italian
- jewish
- l/a
- l/o
- landlord
- latino
- list agent
- list office
- listing agent
- listing office
- map quest
- mapquest
- married
- mature couple
- mature individual
- mature person
- membership approval required
- mentally ill
- mexican-american
- mormon
- mormon temple
- mosque
- muslim
- must be employed
- must comply with park rules
- negro
- newlyweds
- no alcoholics
- no blacks
- no blind
- no children
- no crippled
- no deaf
- no drinkers
- no group homes
- no impaired
- no mentally disabled
- no mentally handicapped
- no mentally ill
- no migrant workers
- no retarded
- no seasonal worker
- no smoker
- no Soc Sec Ins
- no Soc. Sec. Ins.
- no social security insurance
- no SSI
- no unemployed
- non-drinkers
- non-smokers
- not for handicapped
- not suitable for disabled
- not suitable for handicapped
- older person
- oriental
- parish
- percent
- temple
- physically fit
- physically fit only
- polish
- preferred community
- protestant
- puerto rican
- quiet tenant
- responsible
- retarded
- senior discount
- shrine
- single person
- singles only
- spanish speaking
- synagogue
- white only
Sources Referenced: Conciliation Agreement & MLS, (REALTOR.org, Nov. 1995).
For more information on Fair Housing Laws, visit: www.HUD.gov