Is “preferred community” a Fair Housing violation in a listing?

Why

"Preferred community" is on the avoid side of all three cited lists. Preferred by whom is the problem.

Safer wording

• desirable community

What the tag means

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.

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. preferred community

1 phrase to look at

• Avoid “preferred community”

  "Preferred community" is on the avoid side of all three cited lists. Preferred by whom is the problem.

  Try: desirable community

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

• Long Island Board of REALTORS®: Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase Guidelines (Mar. 2025)
• CRMLS Fair Housing Word & Phrase List (Apr. 2021)
• Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase List (New York Press Assn.; source: Oklahoma Press Assn.)

Related phrases

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

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 steer-preferred, ListingLint rules v2026.10.2.