What does steering in real estate involve?

Steering in real estate refers to the practice of influencing a client’s choice of neighborhood or property based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or other protected characteristics. When a real estate agent pushes a client toward or away from certain areas, it can lead to discriminatory practices that violate fair housing laws. This act can prevent individuals from exploring all their options and can limit their access to housing opportunities based on factors that should not influence real estate decisions.

In contrast, encouraging clients to explore multiple neighborhoods promotes an unbiased and equitable approach to housing. Providing unbiased information about properties and offering financial advice are also important aspects of real estate practice but do not relate to the concept of steering. Steering is a serious issue because it undermines the principles of fairness and the rights of individuals to choose where they live based on personal preference rather than external pressures or biases.