Fair Housing phrase guide / Steering code words

Steering code words in real estate listings

Every steering code words phrase ListingLint checks, from what to avoid to what's fine, with the reason for each. 2 avoid, 3 caution, 3 depends, 6 minor, 2 ok.

What the law covers here

Steering means guiding buyers or renters toward or away from an area because of a protected class. HUD's rule bans restricting someone's choices by word or conduct. One of its examples is telling a buyer they wouldn't be comfortable or compatible with the people who live there. These code words get flagged because of how an ordinary reader may take them. The words aren't banned on their own.

Avoid

Avoid means an explicit preference or limitation, or a phrase on the avoid side of the cited word lists. This is the risk end of the scale, not a style choice.

board approval required Avoid
On the avoid side of all three cited lists. LIBOR suggests stating that the sale may be subject to the offering plan's terms instead.
preferred community Avoid
"Preferred community" is on the avoid side of all three cited lists. Preferred by whom is the problem.

Caution

Caution means the phrase is on the caution side of the cited lists, or describes people in a way that usually reads as a preference. Many agents still use some of these, but describing the property instead is the safer move.

restricted Caution
"Restricted community" was historically used to signal racial and religious exclusion. LIBOR lists it as prohibited, NYPA as caution. For HOA or deed rules, say "deed-restricted" and name the rule.
safe neighborhood Caution
"Safe neighborhood" is on the caution lists (LIBOR prohibits it). Safety claims are often read as coded language about who lives there, and you can't verify them. If there's a real feature, name it (gated entry, monitored lobby).
like-minded neighbors Caution
Phrases about the "right" or "like-minded" people describe residents, not the property. Under the ordinary-reader standard, readers may hear a preference.

Depends

Depends means it's fine or not depending on how it's used. Read the reason, then decide for your sentence.

exclusive neighborhoods Depends
"Exclusive" describing a neighborhood is a classic catch word. LIBOR lists it as prohibited and NYPA as caution, because it can imply that some people are excluded. HUD's memo explicitly allows "desirable neighborhood".
private community Depends
"Private" is on LIBOR's caution list when it describes who gets in. Private driveway, entrance, setting or property are on the acceptable lists. If it's truly a gated or private-road community, describe that feature.
traditional neighborhood Depends
"Traditional" is on the caution lists when it describes people or a community. "Traditional style" (architecture) is on the NYPA/CRMLS acceptable lists.

Minor

Minor means it's usually fine and worth a second look. Treat it as a style question more than a legal one.

prestigious neighborhood Minor
"Prestigious", "sophisticated" and "quality neighborhood" are on the caution lists. They describe the people more than the place. HUD's memo explicitly allows "desirable neighborhood".
near country club Minor
"Country club, near" is on the caution lists. Membership clubs have a history of exclusion. "Golf course, near" is on the NYPA acceptable list if that's what's there.
secure community Minor
"Secure" is on the caution lists when it describes a community. "Security provided" or a specific feature (gated entry) is on the acceptable lists.
executive homes Minor
"Executive" is on LIBOR's prohibited and NYPA's caution lists. It describes the buyer's job and status rather than the home.
changing neighborhood Minor
Commentary on how a neighborhood's population is "changing" describes the residents, not the property. Under the ordinary-reader standard it can read as steering. Describe concrete things (new park, rezoning) instead.
blue-collar neighborhood Minor
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.

OK

OK means a cited source treats it as acceptable. Any alternative shown is a house-style preference some offices or MLSs ask for, not a legal requirement.

luxury townhouse OK
These describe the property rather than people, and they're on the acceptable side of the NYPA and CRMLS lists.
rare find OK
Facially neutral property and location descriptions. HUD's memo names "rare find" and "desirable neighborhood"; the NYPA/CRMLS acceptable lists include private driveway/entrance/setting, traditional style, membership available, security provided, golf course near, school district and convenient to.

Sources

The law behind the lists

The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to publish a housing ad that indicates a preference, limitation or discrimination based on a protected class, and HUD's advertising regulation spells out how that applies to ads. The word lists above are how boards and MLSs put that into practice.

About the 1995 HUD memo

HUD no longer posts the 1995 memo on its website. Oregon REALTORS reported in April 2026 that HUD removed it without notice, and HUD withdrew its April 2024 digital-advertising guidance in September 2025. The Fair Housing Act and HUD's advertising regulation (24 CFR § 100.75) didn't change. Boards and MLS word lists still lean on the memo, which is why it's still cited here, as history and as the clearest explanation of how ads are read.

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Not legal advice. Word lists can't judge context, and laws differ by state and city, with some protecting more classes than federal law does. If you're unsure about a listing, ask your broker or a fair housing attorney. ListingLint rules v2026.10.2.