Casa Academy

Reviewed by Casa Academy and updated July 29, 2026 using the current DBPR checklist and Pearson VUE scheduling guidance.

Steering

Steering is the illegal practice of guiding prospective buyers or renters toward or away from neighborhoods based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, or other protected characteristics, violating federal and state fair housing laws.

Exam context

Steering directs clients to or away from areas based on protected class. Illegal under Fair Housing Act. Blockbusting and redlining are related discriminatory practices. Equal service required in all neighborhoods.

Prohibited conduct

Agents may not discourage clients from viewing areas because of demographic makeup or show only listings in segregated patterns matching protected class assumptions. Wordsmithing about crime or schools to mask steering still violates the Fair Housing Act. Equal professional service requires presenting all suitable listings the client criteria request regardless of neighborhood composition.

Lawful vs unlawful guidance

Clients may express preferences for commute time, price, or amenities; agents follow those legitimate factors. Providing factual market data on taxes or flood zones is allowed when applied consistently. Marketing that excludes protected classes from seeing ads constitutes digital steering. Training emphasizes documenting business reasons for recommendations.

Examples

  • Neighborhood exclusion

    An agent refuses to show homes in a diverse district, telling buyers the area is not a good fit without objective client-requested criteria, which may constitute illegal steering.

  • Lawful price filter

    Buyers cap their search at $350,000 near a specific employer; the agent shows all qualifying listings in multiple zip codes meeting that budget without demographic screening.

Keep studying

Practice steering questionsEnroll in pre-licensing

Related terms

  • BlockbustingPanic-selling tactic prohibited with steering.
  • RedliningCredit denial by neighborhood demographics.

Related resources

Sources