Reece Stewart directly addresses camera:  You go to post a listing on Facebook. You write a fun description, include a photo of the house and a link to the listing. No problem, right? Well, it could be if you didn't include the right information.
      I'm Reese Stewart a Realtor with RE/MAX Properties Southwest in Orlando and a real estate instructor. Let's take five minutes to brush up on some Florida Real Estate Commission rules related to advertising.
      Most real estate professionals think about advertising in terms of a flier, direct mail piece or a print ad. But, FREC Advertising Rules apply to all advertising, including social media and online ads, bus benches, billboards and so on. And all real estate professionals must adhere to specific laws and rules related to internet advertising.
      First, it's essential to understand what social media ads are. It's not just any post you write. The rules are specific to ads for your services, listings, etc. If you're not sure, members may call Florida Realtors Legal Hotline at 407-438-1409 to speak with an attorney. It's better to err on the side of caution.
      What licensees are taught when they first get their license is just a drop in the bucket when it comes to advertising. The rule is that all advertising must be in a matter in which a reasonable person would know they are dealing with a real estate licensee. All ads must include the name of the brokerage firm, as well. This includes online advertising.
      Also, there are certain positions where this information must be. For example, when advertising on the internet, the brokerage firm name should be placed adjacent to or immediately above or below the point of contact information, which is the mailing or street address, email address or telephone numbers.
      In addition, the company name must appear immediately above, below or adjacent to the contact button or hyperlink. If the company name doesn't include the term “real estate” and it's not immediately identifiable as a brokerage, add language to clarify that the firm is in the real estate business.
      A common mistake I see is that licensees do not list the entire brokerage name. For example, I'm with RE/MAX Properties Southwest. That's the complete name. I can't just put RE/MAX, or just include the RE/MAX logo.
      There are also rules about team or group advertising. A team or group is defined as a name or logo used by one or more real estate licensees who represent themselves to the public as a team or a group.
      There are certain phrases that teams are not allowed to use as the name of the team. Real estate team or group names can't include names such as agency, associates, brokerage, brokers, corporation and others. They can't use words suggesting that the team or group is a separate real estate brokerage or company.
In addition, there is some onus on the broker. The registered broker must maintain a current, written record of every team or group member. 
      A lot of times, teams may have websites and it's not clear which brokerage they are affiliated with because only the team's name is prominent. This is against the rule. In advertisements, the team or group name must not be in larger print than the name of the registered brokerage.
      If you're not sure your advertisements contain all the elements necessary, it pays to ask your broker or call the Florida Realtors Legal Hotline. It can save you time and money should you be accused of breaking the law or a rule.