Advertising Remarks Question

I loved reading these posts and decided to google this question and this is what I found on AOL real estate:

"Schools: As with income level, sharing information about schools "might be perceived as steering someone into a certain neighborhood," says Klein. "However, as a Realtor I can direct people to sources of information about education in that area." 
Here, too, the web offers prospective home buyers a wealth of information. Buyers can find useful school statistics, including enrollment, class size, and reading and math scores, at sites like School Matters and Great Schools. "

Just an fyi.  I, for one, don't list and do direct buyers as to where they can find the info.

I like the (test the testers) mention.Sometimes it can be difficult to have a conversation with potential buyers with some of the questions they ask you.Trying to stay neutral and direct them to other sources has been a safe answer for the most part.It's not fun having a hammer over your head.

I don't see a problem with it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You could describe a living room as "large" but a buyer might think it's small compared to their last house.

I use true words...if it's a "Blue Ribbon School," I say so. Award winning...if it's true. As far as the rest of the descriptive words....as long as they are not violating discrimination laws, it doesn't bother me and I think the disclosures cover issues which imply that the buyer relies on verbiage in a listing.

Nick, I am very careful with words in our litigious society...especially in what can be argued in court as Lenn refers to...

I usually tell buyers to check school ratings. However, I do say that Williamson County schools are ranked the highest in the state. That's a matter of public record and easily verifiable.

Nick, what's awesome to one person may be just mediocre to another so I stay away from these words. I remember my real estate instructor telling us to describe the property not the neighborhood and stickmtomthe facts on anything else or refer to other sources.

Hey Nick, have I told you lately how everything is awesome? And not only is everything totally awesome but it's sublimely superb as well. Superb, I tell you. Nobody should talk like a Valley Girl.

Hello Nick,

Wonderful post...you certainly hit upon a key subject and the comments are intersting.  I am laughing out loud at Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents  sublimely superb response!

Hi Nick,   it has been drilled into my head to be the source of the source.

I use the word "popular" if it is indeed a school I get many requests for people to live in that area. I always tell my clients the idea of "good schools" is subjective as what I think is good may be awful to another. I then give them resources to check out, such as the Virginia Department of Education Report Cards. Always be the source of the source. I see so many agents do this and it scares me for them. Heck, I may be walking the line with "popular" and "sought-after."

I think your wording is ok and would not be a violation. In my market, I refer to our "Award Winning Schools". We do have some of the best schools in the state, and a list of awards to back up the claim.

I'd leave out child or children entirely and just say "great schools" and so on.  Anyone can sue over anything!

What a great post and wide variety of answers/statements in the comments!

Yes, we need to be very careful with how we state "things." Your definition a good school could be totally different than my definition of a good school so I always advice my clients to do their own research on which school district is right for them and don't refer to schools in MLS details unless it is to say which school district the home is located within or knowing which school district in our area is the most requested I might state "highly sought after school district." Something more general is my point.

Again, Great post and comments! 

Nick T Pappas

What timing. I am taken back lately at what I see some writing in my market

I simply write "children attend schools within the <Insert Name> Independent School district." and leave it at that.

The lines you write seem to be within guidelines (though as mentionned, "a child" rather than "your child".

The lines don't say anything, though they do suggest the reader is thinking about schools & value.  If you wanted to get into it further, then unless you direct people to the school ratings in Alabama or so, then I  think you've gone too far.

Superb/Great/Awesome, it all means something else to everyone, and who are you to say, so, yes, point to your source instead and lets the source say it.

Although I think it is ridiculus in the extreme I have been told commenting on the quality of schools is a no no.  However, if you state factual information and provide a link I am not sure what you would have done wrong.  Rather than say "Great Schools" how about "Statewide Test Scores in top 10%" or something of that nature.    Then provide a link.  Just my thought.  Also our blog post often provide just general information about schools and communities without a big focus on Real Estate.  I often have written on local parks.  What if the entire focus of your post is on the school and some positive achievement.  Then at the bottom you have your usual real estate contact info and maybe a list of homes?