Is “rare find” OK in a real estate listing?

Why

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.

What the tag means

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.

Check your own wording

Paste a sentence or your whole listing. It runs ListingLint's real rule engine in your browser, and nothing is uploaded. rare find

No Fair Housing flags in this text. That's a word check, not a legal review.

Allowed terms we recognized

• OK “rare find”

  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.

A word check, not a legal review. Open the full checker for fixes, the fact lock and the MLS character count.

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.

• HUD rule on steering and other prohibited conduct, 24 CFR § 100.70
• Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3604(c)

Sources

• HUD "Achtenberg memo": Guidance Regarding Advertisements Under §804(c), Jan. 9, 1995
• Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase List (New York Press Assn.; source: Oklahoma Press Assn.)
• CRMLS Fair Housing Word & Phrase List (Apr. 2021)

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.

• Oregon REALTORS: Fair housing compliance after the guidance reset (Apr. 17, 2026)
• LeadingAge: HUD withdraws fair housing guidance documents (Sept. 17, 2025 memo)

Related phrases

• exclusive neighborhoods Depends
• private community Depends
• restricted Caution
• board approval required Avoid
• preferred community Avoid
• safe neighborhood Caution
• prestigious neighborhood Minor
• traditional neighborhood Depends

All steering code words phrases on one page · The 12-check listing checklist

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. Rule ok-desirable, ListingLint rules v2026.10.2.