The rule that catches most agents is fair housing, and it applies to a caption as much as to a listing. In the US, section 804(c) of the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3604(c)) makes it unlawful to publish any advertisement for a dwelling that indicates a preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
In practice that means describing the property, not the people it is for.
Words to check
'Perfect for young professionals', 'no children', 'ideal for a couple' and 'walking distance to church' describe people or imply who is welcome.
Describe the home, the lot, the features and the location, and let readers decide whether it suits them.
Pictures to check
Photos and clips that show only one kind of person, or that feature a family prominently, can suggest a preference.
Use a range of people, or none.
Disability
Say what a home has: step-free entry, a ground-floor bedroom, wide doorways.
Do not say who it is not suitable for.
Other rules
- Licence and brokerage name. Many states require advertising to show your brokerage's name, and some ask for your licence number too. Check your state's real estate commission.
- Accuracy. Do not post a price, a feature or a measurement you cannot back up. NAR's Code of Ethics, Article 12, covers truthful advertising for members.
- Paid promotion. If you boost a post, the audience you choose counts too. HUD's fair housing regulations treat choosing media or locations for housing ads in a way that denies information to groups protected by the Act as discrimination (24 CFR 100.75). HUD withdrew its 2024 guidance on digital ad targeting in September 2025, but the Act and those regulations still apply.
- Photos of homes you do not represent, or that show a seller's belongings or family, need permission.
These notes are general information, not legal advice. Postdom does not check a post against these rules. Your approval is the check, so read each post with them in mind.