law
steering
Steering is an illegal practice under fair housing laws in which a licensee directs buyers or renters toward or away from particular neighborhoods based on a protected class, such as race, religion, national origin, or familial status. It can be done by showing only certain homes, discouraging interest in an area, or making comments about who lives there. Steering is illegal even if the client requests it.
- Exam tip
- Distinguish steering (channeling buyers by protected class), blockbusting (inducing owners to sell by fear of a protected class moving in), and redlining (lenders refusing loans in certain areas).
- Example
- An agent shows a Hispanic family homes only in one neighborhood, telling them they will feel more comfortable there, while showing other buyers listings citywide.
Related terms & state variants
Sources
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Last verified: 2026-10-23