Can you say "safe neighborhood" in a real estate listing?
Risky. Safety claims about an area can steer buyers.
Why it gets flagged
"Safe neighborhood" is a judgment about the people who live somewhere, and it is a classic steering phrase: it can nudge buyers toward or away from an area on grounds that track protected classes. It is also unverifiable.
Describe features of the property instead: gated entry, exterior lighting, a security system, a quiet street. Point buyers to official crime data if they ask.
Instead of
Located in a safe neighborhood with friendly neighbors.
Write
Located in a quiet neighborhood with friendly neighbors.
What to say instead
- quiet neighborhood
- gated entry and exterior lighting
- a quiet street with mature trees
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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.