Why are phrases like great for a large family, perfect for empty nesters, and will appeal to the outdoorsmen removed from MLS listing comments?

This is to reduce the agent/broker’s exposure to risk since these types of phrases can be perceived to reference one or more of the protected classes under the federal fair housing laws (race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, disability, marital status, and age). The experts at the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan encourage REALTORS to describe the property and its amenities, rather than the type of person(s) that might be attracted to that property. Therefore, the MLS might request a revision to the listing comments.

For example, instead of saying a property is great for a large family, it could say that the home has 4 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths, rec room, and a fenced rear yard (the items that a large family might find appealing). Similarly, instead of saying that a property is an outdoorsmen’s paradise, it might instead promote that it has 10 wooded acres, fully stocked fish pond, pole barn with heat and electricity, and lots of wildlife (again, items that might appeal to someone who enjoys hunting and fishing regardless of their gender).