NAR Consumer Guide: Fair Housing

The Fair Housing Consumer Guide does not represent a change in NAR policy. Instead, it highlights the role of Realtors® in promoting housing equity, along with other important topics.

WASHINGTON – The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) has released its latest Consumer Guide, focusing on fair housing. The guide explains the importance of fair housing laws, how they affect buyers and sellers, and the essential role Realtors® play in fostering housing equity.

This guide is consistent with NAR’s long-standing policy, as outlined in the Realtor® Code of Ethics, which requires Realtors® to offer equal professional services to all consumers.

“Real estate professionals must ensure their marketing of properties complies with relevant MLS rules and educate sellers about the available choices,” NAR stated.

As the ninth guide in the series, it is available on the NAR website, facts.Realtor, and can also be printed as handouts. Most guides are available in both English and Spanish. Here are the current titles, with links to PDFs:

• Why Am I Being Asked to Sign a Written Buyer Agreement? Covers recent changes in practices for home buyers working with real estate professionals. Spanish available.
• Open Houses and Written Agreements: Explains what buyers should know about open houses and when written buyer agreements are needed. Spanish available.
• Realtors’ Duty to Put Client Interests Above Their Own: Discusses the NAR Code of Ethics and Realtors’ obligation to prioritize clients' interests. Spanish available.
• What Veterans Need to Know About Buying a Home: Focuses on NAR’s efforts to promote veteran home financing and the options for veterans. Spanish available.
• Offers of Compensation: Explores the options and reasons for offering compensation to buyer agents and how it can benefit sellers. Spanish available.
• Negotiating Written Buyer Agreements: What to expect when negotiating a written buyer agreement with a Realtor. Spanish available.
• Seller Concessions: Details the common types of seller concessions, when they apply, and how they help buyers and sellers. Spanish available.
• Multiple Listing Services (MLSs): Explains what MLSs are and how they aid in the homebuying and selling process. Spanish available.
• Fair Housing: Covers housing discrimination and the Realtor’s role in upholding fair housing practices. Spanish version coming soon.

For more details on changes following the NAR settlement, visit the Florida Realtors® NAR Settlement Resource Guide page, which includes videos, infographics, and updated forms and contracts.