What does steering refer to in real estate?

Steering in real estate specifically refers to the illegal practice of guiding prospective homebuyers or renters toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on their race, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics. This conduct is a violation of fair housing laws, designed to ensure that all individuals have equal access to housing opportunities regardless of their background.

In contrast, negotiating lease terms, pricing real estate, and evaluating property investment potential do not relate directly to steering but are customary practices within the industry. Negotiating lease terms involves discussions between landlords and tenants regarding rental agreements, while pricing looks at market values and property assessments. Evaluating property investment potential involves analyzing factors such as location, market trends, and property condition, which are all standard processes in real estate dealings but do not infringe upon fair housing practices like steering does.