To get clarity on this legal area in real estate we spoke to a top-selling agent who\u2019s sold over 600 single-family homes and a fair housing attorney. With their insights, we\u2019ll cover how to market a house that\u2019s perfect for families without violating fair housing plus tips for crafting a listing description that focuses on the house itself rather than who you think might buy it.<\/p>\n The Fair Housing Act is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing<\/a> because of race, color, religion, sex or gender, disability, national origin, or familial status.<\/p>\n According to Amy Glassman, fair housing attorney and coauthor of Beginner’s Guide to the Fair Housing Act<\/i><\/a>, if you name one protected class in your home\u2019s listing, you may be excluding others.<\/p>\n She adds that you shouldn\u2019t say your house is \u201cfamily friendly\u201d because it refers to the familial status of prospective buyers, which violates the federal fair housing law.<\/p>\n \u201cThe basic rule is that you want to focus on the property and the amenities in the property and not the type of buyer that you want. You don’t want to use language that triggers reference to any of these protected classes,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Glassman adds, \u201cAnyone who is looking to sell a house or hire a real estate agent should be aware that there are authentic state and local fair housing laws in their jurisdiction that are often more expansive than the federal law.\u201d<\/p>\n Language such as \u201cperfect for retirees,\u201d \u201cnot suited for small children\u201d, or \u201cwalking distance to churches\u201d (which could be seen as excluding buyers with a disability or the nonreligious) appear harmless but are still a violation of fair housing laws.<\/p>\n State and local fair housing laws may protect more classes than federal housing laws which may or may not include income, veteran or military status, age, and more. You can find which protected classes are regulated by your state laws using The Policy Surveillance Program\u2019s website.<\/a><\/p>\n If someone believes that fair housing laws were violated, they can file a complaint<\/a> with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.<\/p>\n \u201cThey would investigate it, they would determine if they think it has merit, and they would seek what’s called conciliation,\u201d says Glassman. \u201cSo, they would essentially seek a settlement.\u201d<\/p>\n A settlement of the violation could be the withdrawal of the offending ad, required training, or monetary damages.<\/p>\n \u201cAssuming something settled, it’s whatever the party has decided is fair and reasonable and what both sides can agree to. If it doesn’t settle, it ultimately would find its way to court,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n The best way to abide by fair housing laws is to work with an experienced real estate agent who is familiar with state and federal housing laws.<\/p>\n Although you can\u2019t say that your home is family-friendly, you can point out the amenities that buyers with families might often search for.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it’s close to schools and shopping and there are walking trails, it might be perfect for the family or the stay at home mom or whoever, but that’s not our place to make those decisions,\u201d says Cheryl Bare<\/a>, a Waldorf, Maryland<\/a> real estate agent who\u2019s sold 66% more properties than the average agent.<\/p>\n So, Bare says, stick to what the home has.<\/p>\n Here are some qualities that you can share about your home that might adhere to families.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/family-friendly-house-computer.jpg\")
<\/a>What are the general fair housing rules around property descriptions?<\/h3>\n
Fair housing violations could result in a complaint<\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Market the family-friendly qualities of your home appropriately<\/h3>\n
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\n<\/b><\/b>Parents want to put roots down where their kids will thrive, so an above-average school district is often a must-have for families shopping for their next home. Moreso, a school district that doesn\u2019t meet expectations could be the deal-breaker for a family.The quality of the school district was the most important factor to 35% of home buyers between the ages of 37 and 51<\/a>, while 31% cited the distance to schools as the most important factor.<\/span>Redfin and Zillow allow home buyers to search for homes based on school zones and the GreatSchool<\/a> rating.<\/span>Check the quality of elementary, middle, and high schools in your area. If the schools are, in fact, great schools, you can include this information in your property\u2019s listing without violating fair housing laws, according to Glassman.It is illegal, however, for buyers agents to \u201csteer\u201d buyers based on his or her own views about certain communities or schools.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\n<\/b>Some parents may move from city life to the suburbs to raise their kids. They might dream of living where their kids can play in the street and sleep to the sounds of crickets instead of traffic and sirens. A peaceful street could be an important feature for buyers looking for a family-friendly house.The fact that your house is located in a low-traffic area is appealing for many buyers, not just those with families. So, this information is OK to share, but be careful with your phrasing. A \u201cquiet\u201d street excludes hearing-impaired buyers and therefore should be used with caution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\n<\/b>Michelin star restaurants, natural hiking trails, and one-stop-shops for daily necessities are features you should include in your home\u2019s listing.But, phrases such as \u201cwalking distance\u201d can bump up against fair housing laws because they exclude buyers with disabilities. To stay on the safe side, simply state that the property is \u201cclose to\u201d or \u201cnear\u201d certain amenities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\n<\/b><\/b>Neighborhood safety is comforting for every new homeowner, especially those with kids. Crime statistics are safe to state in your home\u2019s listing\u2014just remember to stick to the data rather than neighborhood stigmas. So, instead of saying \u201csafe neighborhood for kids\u201d, share that the property is located in a neighborhood with a low crime rate.Type your home\u2019s address into AreaVibes<\/a> to see the crime data in your neighborhood.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/family-friendly-house-law.jpg\")
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