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Signature requirements for real estate advertisements including blogs

By
Industry Observer with Retired

Signature requirements for real estate advertisements including blogs

 

I asked Adam Holmwood at Parker, Simon, Hahn and DeLisi, LLC and Village Settlements about the Maryland requirements for information in a blog signature. He advised that blogs are considered to be advertisements and provided some of the information from the Legal Hotline FAQ. It seems to be unclear if information in your profile will meet the requirements if it is not included in the blog signature.

 

Maryland law requires that all advertisements include your name (as listed on your pocket card) and the name of the company with which you are affiliated (not simply the company logo). Both names must be meaningfully and conspicuously placed in the ad.  

If an individual (personal) telephone number or web address is included in the advertisement, the office telephone number must be listed as well. The purpose for this rule is to provide a consumer with direct access to a broker or manager without the necessity of first contacting the agent.

 

Some ActiveRain bloggers do not have an automatic blog signature and some with the blog signature feature have limited information. It is a good idea to check the requirements in your state to make sure you have included the required information.

You will also want to make sure you are meeting the requirements of your state when promoting your services or listings on Facebook or other social media sites.

 

If anyone has better information on the Maryland requirements, please share it with me.

 

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Posted by

Roy Kelley, Retired, Former Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Gaithersburg, Maryland  

Comments (38)

Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It is similar here Roy and very important to have your name and contact info in each one. 

Mar 20, 2019 06:09 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

This is good information not only for Maryland real estate professionals, but as a reminder to real estate professionals in all states to check their state's requirements.

Mar 20, 2019 06:31 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Roy, it's similar here and I see many ads both online and in the form of signs that don't comply. This is great information to share. 

Mar 20, 2019 06:34 AM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

The failure of so many to adhere to State advertising requirements has been a 'thorn in my side' for years.  I have even called out agents who refuse to use their licensed name. And, there are some agent who take it many steps further.

Mar 20, 2019 07:22 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Wow Roy Kelley, this is important for us to know, I need to look into are state law.

 

Mar 20, 2019 10:07 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good afternoon Roy - thanks for your public service message.  I am sure the the Active Rainers appreciate it.

Mar 20, 2019 11:48 AM
Karen (KT) Thomas
Village Settlements, Inc. - Gaithersburg, MD
"KT"

Roy Kelley, thank you for your always powerfully enlightening real estate "alerts"! 

Mar 20, 2019 02:47 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Roy- good information for the members here! I'll bet many will be checking their blog signature. 

Mar 20, 2019 06:22 PM
Teri Pacitto
Compass - Westlake Village, CA
Real Estate, Your Style...Your Home...My Specialty

Always good to know and comply with state rules and compliance.  

Mar 20, 2019 08:58 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

We all need to comply with our state's requirements and stay out of trouble!

Mar 21, 2019 03:26 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

I've never thought of this!  But it does make sense.  I don't know what my state regulation is but I do have the signature!

Mar 21, 2019 10:08 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

                     

                              Thank you, Roy. 

Mar 23, 2019 07:37 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Roy Kelley important information and common sense habits to form...

Mar 24, 2019 05:34 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Kathy Streib 

Thank you very much for including this post on your weekly list.

Mar 24, 2019 08:28 AM
Matthew Klinowski, PA
Downing Frye Realty - Naples, FL
Naples Golf Guy | Find Your Dream Lifestyle

Thanks Roy, I appreciate you sharing this information and will check on our laws to ensure I'm in compliance. I always am careful with print advertising, hadn't really thought about what needs to be included on blog posts.

Mar 24, 2019 08:30 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Unless they've changed since I was an agent, the laws in Idaho are similar. All ads must reveal that you're a licensed agent and must reveal the brokerage name and number.

And still... agents try placing ads that make their listings appear to be FSBO's.

Mar 24, 2019 01:46 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Roy Kelley ,

I'm surprised no gold star yet on this one! I'm glad that Kathy Streib featured your post in her "Ah-ha" moments for the week!  Good reminder to check with our respective states to make sure we are in compliance with our signature requirements for our advertisements including our blogs.

Mar 24, 2019 04:04 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Our requirements for marketing keep changing, so it's time to check agin and make sure I am compliant. Thanks for the reminder for us all!

Mar 25, 2019 03:11 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Your feedback and your continued support are very much appreciated.

Mar 25, 2019 04:30 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD
Good Sportsmanship MonthGoodSports
At its March 18 meeting, the Mayor and City Council designated March 2019 as "Good Sportsmanship Month" in the City of Gaithersburg. Emphasizing participation over competition and creating an environment where youth can achieve, the City's Sports Program encourages sportsmanship at all levels and embraces the Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS! Explore the City's sports programs here.
Mar 28, 2019 06:15 AM