If you’re a real estate professional, it’s time to check your open house signs and flyers! A new set of advertising regulations, known as the “uniform advertising standards,” are set to take effect January 1st.
While most realtors are current with the regulations and won’t have to update any marketing materials, some real estate professionals will have to update their advertisements and corporate branding.
Assembly Bill 1650, which passed on August 19, 2016, set in place uniform marketing guidelines. With more than 16 months to adjust to the new measures, the time has finally come to implement them across the board.
Starting Jan 1, 2018, sales agents and broker associates in California will be subject to new rules for their advertising and marketing materials.
Why the change?
Hodgepodge. That’s how Bob Hunt of the National Association of Realtors described real estate ads in California. The cacophony of advertising styles and disclosures across California caused confusion among realtors, sellers, buyers, community groups and legislators.
As of this January 1st, all real estate marketing and advertising collateral will need to include:
- Realtor name and license identification number
- The responsible broker’s name under which the broker is currently licensed by CalBRE.
- The status of the agent such as “REALTOR®” or “agent”
What real estate ads and marketing collateral needs to change?
Virtually everything. Business cards, stationery, and flyers, as well all forms of advertisements—TV, print, digital/email, and social media.
The rules also apply to signs marked “for sale,” “open house,” “for lease,” and any directional signs that include a licensee identification information.
Use the infographic below to determine if your marketing and advertising materials follow Assembly Bill 1650.
Exceptions? Yes.
Not all materials need to state a sales agent or broker associate. Directional, “open house,” and “for sale” (“rent” or “lease”) signs do not have to include the agents’ or associate brokers’ names or license numbers, as long as:
- The responsible broker’s identity is included
- There is no licensee identification
Most realtors won’t have to update any marketing materials, but many professionals across California may be impacted. Ultimately, these new regulations are designed for the benefit of all parties.
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