TREC TREC Advertising Rules 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under TREC advertising rules, all real estate advertisements must include:
- The licensee's personal phone number
- The name of the licensee's sponsoring broker (Correct answer)
- The license number of every agent featured
- The MLS listing number of the property
Correct answer: The name of the licensee's sponsoring broker
TREC requires that all advertising identify the sponsoring broker, ensuring consumers know which brokerage is responsible for the advertisement.
Question 2: A Texas licensee wants to advertise on social media under a nickname. Under TREC rules, they:
- May use any name they choose
- Must use only their legal name as it appears on the license
- May use a nickname but must also include their broker's name (Correct answer)
- Cannot advertise on social media platforms
Correct answer: May use a nickname but must also include their broker's name
Licensees may use a nickname or assumed name in advertising as long as the advertisement also clearly identifies their sponsoring broker.
Question 3: Which statement about TREC's advertising rules regarding teams is correct?
- Teams may advertise without including the broker's name
- Team names must include the word 'team' or 'group' and the broker's name (Correct answer)
- Teams are prohibited from advertising separately from the broker
- Team advertising follows no specific TREC rules
Correct answer: Team names must include the word 'team' or 'group' and the broker's name
TREC requires team names to include 'team' or 'group' in the name and all team advertising must include the sponsoring broker's name.
Question 4: Under TREC rules, a licensee may NOT advertise a listing without:
- Using professional photography
- Obtaining the written permission of the property owner/seller (Correct answer)
- Including the list price in all advertisements
- Running the ad in print media first
Correct answer: Obtaining the written permission of the property owner/seller
Advertising another person's property requires written authorization from the property owner, which is typically established in the listing agreement.
Question 5: What is required for a Texas licensee to use an assumed business name (DBA) in advertising?
- Approval from TREC before using the name
- The DBA must be registered with TREC and the county (Correct answer)
- No requirements — any DBA may be used freely
- The DBA must include the broker's license number
Correct answer: The DBA must be registered with TREC and the county
To use an assumed business name, the licensee's broker must register the name with TREC, and it should also be filed with the appropriate county.
Question 6: A licensee's internet advertisement must be updated or removed when:
- The property is open for showings
- The property is no longer available or the listing has expired (Correct answer)
- A competing brokerage advertises the same property
- The listing price changes by more than 5%
Correct answer: The property is no longer available or the listing has expired
TREC prohibits advertising a property that is no longer available — listings must be updated or removed promptly when they expire or are no longer on the market.
TREC TREC Advertising Rules 1
Under TREC advertising rules, all real estate advertisements must include: