Advertising Rules

Must I include the name of my firm in an newspaper ad or on my Web site? What about my broker's name? Answer

Am I required to include my license number in my ads? Answer

How can I e-mail information on my new listing or advertisements to Austin REALTORS®? Can I buy an e-mail list from ABoR? Answer

More FAQs

Commitment to High Standards in Advertising

As REALTORS®, we have to follow rules and guidelines from a variety of sources including the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Use of these guidelines insures that we maintain a high standard of communication with our customers and prevent our membership from being associated with the sometimes deceptive, misleading or discriminatory practices of a few.

A Quick Checklist of Advertising Guidelines

According to the Texas Real Estate License Act, a real estate broker or salesperson cannot publish ads which are misleading. Article 12 of the NAR Code of Ethics is consistent with the requirements of the Real Estate License Act and the rules of TREC.

The following is a checklist which can help you prepare ads that meet advertising guidelines of the Code and Act (reprinted from Texas REALTOR® magazine).

My ad is not misleading nor does it tend to create a misleading       impression in any manner.

My ad contains the name of my real estate firm.

My ad identifies the professional or license status of everyone,       including the firm and all individuals named in the ad.

As a real estate salesman, my name is not the only name that       appears in the ad.

I have proper authority to publish or submit the ad.

The price quoted is the price agreed upon by the owner.

Any service being offered as “free of charge” in my ad is not tied to       any service for which I am to be compensated.

My ad fully describes the conditions of inducement offers.

Any ownership interest I have in the property is disclosed.