Steering code words / Fair Housing phrase guide
"blue-collar neighborhood" in listing copy: a minor Fair Housing flag
Minor A minor flag: usually fine, worth a second look.
Why
Classifies the residents by occupation or class, not the property. It's a minor risk, but it's the kind of people-description HUD's memo warns can carry a preference.
Safer wording
Describe the property, not the people: rewrite this part by hand.
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- HUD "Achtenberg memo": Guidance Regarding Advertisements Under §804(c), Jan. 9, 1995
- Long Island Board of REALTORS®: Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase Guidelines (Mar. 2025)
Related phrases
Not legal advice. Word lists can't judge context, and laws differ by state and city. Rule steer-collar, ListingLint rules v2026.10.1.