Can you say "master bedroom" in a real estate listing?
Not a Fair Housing violation by itself, but many MLSs and brokerages now require "primary" instead.
Why it gets flagged
The word "master" has a history that many people find uncomfortable, and a growing number of MLSs, brokerages and national portals have moved to "primary bedroom" and "primary suite". Check your own MLS rules: in some markets the change is a requirement, in others a recommendation.
Switching costs nothing and removes a reason for a listing to be flagged, edited or rejected. The same applies to master bath, master closet and master suite.
Instead of
Spacious master bedroom with a walk-in closet and en-suite bath.
Write
Spacious primary bedroom with a walk-in closet and en-suite bath.
What to say instead
- primary bedroom
- primary suite
- owner’s suite
- main-level bedroom suite
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Open the Fair Housing checkerRelated phrases
7 phrases to stop using in listings
A one-page guide with the neutral wording to use instead.
General information, not legal advice. Fair Housing rules, MLS rules and local law vary; your broker and an attorney are the authorities. The phrase check is rule-based and cannot catch everything.