Steering code words / Fair Housing phrase guide
Is "exclusive neighborhoods" OK in a listing? It depends
Depends Context matters: fine in some uses, a problem in others. Both sides are explained below.
Why
"Exclusive" describing a neighborhood is a classic catch word: LIBOR lists it as prohibited and NYPA as caution. It can imply that some people are excluded. HUD's memo explicitly allows "desirable neighborhood".
Safer wording
Describe the property, not the people: rewrite this part by hand.
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- Long Island Board of REALTORS®: Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase Guidelines (Mar. 2025)
- Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase List (New York Press Assn.; source: Oklahoma Press Assn.)
- HUD "Achtenberg memo": Guidance Regarding Advertisements Under §804(c), Jan. 9, 1995
Related phrases
Not legal advice. Word lists can't judge context, and laws differ by state and city. Rule steer-exclusive, ListingLint rules v2026.10.1.