- Using Company Name, Logo, or APPS The Broker name and logo(s) are registered trademarks. Whenever The Broker name is used in print or on the Internet, the logo and name shall only be used in a format approved by The Broker. This must be displayed on all of the agents advertising material, which include paper and electronic. State Law is very specific in these matters, and disciplinary issues will commence if the agent does not follow our Corporate Policy or State Law. A warning will be issued and a correction must be made within 24 hours. If the Sale Associate does not follow our written instructions then the appropriate licensing agency will be notified, and action will be taken against the agent.
- Advertising is one of the most important tools for success in real estate; however, it must be used appropriately. As a Sale Associate, you have a legal and ethical obligation to always be truthful when advertising properties or services. Legally, you may be held liable for fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or negligent misrepresentation if you make material false statements or omissions in an advertisement. In addition, you may be subject to disciplinary action from the State of California. Finally, Sales Associates who place listings in the MLS system in expectation of compensation are responsible for ensuring that all representations are truthful in such listings which the Sales Associate had knowledge of or reasonably should have had knowledge of anyone injured by a falsehood or inaccuracy. All advertising must be truthful and not misleading. It must adhere to all state and federal advertising requirements as well as the N.A.R Code of Ethics. Any false or misleading advertisement will be immediately withdrawn by The Broker and you will be terminated from The Broker.
- For our purposes, advertising means all displayed advertising, all classified advertising with any publication including newspapers and magazines, all mass mailing, flyers, postcards, newsletters, “Open House”, “For Sale signs and riders, billboards, business cards and use of digital marketing via the internet or a website.
- The Broker reserves the right to approve any and all advertising prior to production.
- If the advertisement states a specific finance charge, the charge must be expressed as an annual percentage rate (APR). If any of the following terms are used:
a) the amount of the down payment
b) the amount of any installment payment
c) the dollar amount of any finance charge
d) the number of installments or
e) the period of repayment, then the advertisement MUST include all of the following specific terms.
a) Down payment
b) terms of repayment and
c) rate of finance charge expressed as an APR.
6. An advertisement of commission rates, discount points, reductions or incentives must be approved by The Broker prior to use.
7. The Broker has zero tolerance for any advertising that is discriminatory on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, or familial status. Your advertisement should be “facilely neutral” and should not describe items in or using racial or ethnic terms.
8. Avoid explicit preferential, limiting or discriminatory language based on religion.
9. Avoid explicit exclusions, limitations or other indications of discrimination based on handicap or disability.
10. Avoid explicit preference, limitation or discrimination based on familial status. The advertising may not contain limitations on the number or ages of children or state a preference for adults, couples, or singles.