advertising

ADVERTISING Identify Realtor® status Advertising Domain name INCORRECT: www.number1realtor.com and bestrealtor@aol.com CORRECT: www.johndoerealtor.com and johndoerealtor@aol.com Broker-in-charge/client approval Make sure your professional status or status as a Realtor® is clearly identifiable in all advertising. Your company name must also be prominently displayed. If your company name does not clearly indicate that the company is in the real estate profession, your ad must include something showing that the company is a real estate entity; or alternatively, you can disclose your status as a real estate practitioner. The term Realtor®, when used as part of a domain name or in some other fashion, must refer to a member or a member’s firm. The same holds true for e-mail. INCORRECT: www.number1realtor.com and bestrealtor@aol.com CORRECT: www.johndoerealtor.com and johndoerealtor@aol.com Be sure to obtain approval from your broker-in-charge and clients for all advertisements prior to distribution. 2

ADVERTISING Objectionable company and website names Additionally, Subscribers of the Carolina Multiple Listing Services, Inc. are prohibited from indicating or implying that they operate a multiple listing service. Use of the words “MLS,” “multiple,” “multi,” “listing,” “list,” “service,” or “system” together or in any combination in a website address or website name is prohibited.

INTERNET DISPLAY OF LISTINGS ADVERTISING INTERNET DISPLAY OF LISTINGS Internet Data Exchange (IDX) Carolina Data Share (CDS) Virtual office websites (VOW) Third-party websites Listings submitted to CMLS are distributed to and displayed on hundreds of websites at the direction of the listing brokerages and sellers. Brokerage and agent websites can display listing data through the Internet Data Exchange, Carolina Data Share and virtual office website programs provided that they follow the rules. CMLS also provides listing data to some third-party websites at the direction of the listing brokerage. 4

ADVERTISING Reflection on real estate profession Avoid targeting Regulation Z disclosure requirements Confidential information All advertisements should be professional and in good taste as they reflect on the entire real estate profession. No one shall advertise an active listing other than the listing brokerage, without prior written consent of the listing brokerage. Do not advertise exclusively in one publication if the publication targets a specific demographic population to avoid violating the Fair Housing Act. Be aware of necessary disclosures or information on Regulation Z (Truth-in-Lending) that might be required. Do not disclose confidential information about the sellers or mislead prospective buyers about the seller’s financial situation or urgency to sell their home, or about the seller’s “bottom-line” selling price. 5

ADVERTISING Discussion Questions Are there any outlets that would be inappropriate for advertisements? Consult the broker-in-charge of your office if you have questions about where to distribute and post information. 6

ADVERTISING Discussion Questions Do you need written permission to advertise information provided by a third party (lenders, attorneys, statistical material, builders, etc.)? If you are using information about any other company, you must obtain written permission from that company before posting or distributing that information. 7

ADVERTISING Discussion Questions Do you need permission from the HOA to post directional or for-sale signs? Some subdivisions, condominiums and townhome developments restrict advertising. Consult the homeowners association to find out if there are limitations on the type or amount of advertising you can do, including the style and type of listing signs. 8

ADVERTISING Discussion Questions What disclaimers should be included when statistics and other information are provided? The source of the information provided should be clearly noted for the intent of distribution, not solicitation, and if the loan process or monthly payments are noted, include Regulation Z disclosure information. All advertisements should include the fair housing logo. Also consider adding a disclaimer such as “all statistics are deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified.” 9