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by
Ron
Walker, TAR director of legal affairs Use
these tips as a starting point to make sure your ads comply with important
rules and regulations. This list is not comprehensive.
- Make sure the ad is
not only true and accurate but that it also does not create a misleading
impression.
- Include the name
of the real estate firm or broker.
- Identify the professional
or license status of people in the ad. Use of the term REALTOR®
may be used to identify this status.
- If the salespersons
name is the only name to appear in the ad, make sure to include the name
of the salespersons broker.
- Make sure the price
published is agreed upon by the owner.
- If any service is offered
free of charge, be sure the service is not tied to or contingent upon any
service for which you will be compensated.
- If the ad offers any
inducements, describe the conditions for the inducements.
- Disclose any ownership
interest you hold in the property.
- If you advertise any
loan information, make sure the ad complies with the requirements of Regulation
Z: 1) If the ad gives info about loan terms, they must be available to a
qualified buyer; 2) If the ad publishes a rate of finance charge, including
interest, points, and loan fees, the ad must use the words "annual
percentage rate (APR)." If the finance charge can increase over the
term of the loan, the ad must state this; 3) Additional disclosures are
required when including info about downpayment requirements, terms and repayment
periods, and amount of installment payments, and finance charges.
- Do not create an ad
that implies a limitation to a protected class that might violate fair-housing
laws.
- Get a knowledgeable
person who did not write the ad to review it for potential problems.

Buyers & sellers,
visit www.texasrealestate.com.
REALTORS®, visit www.tar.org.
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