Humber/Ontario Real Estate Course 4 Exam Practice

Which of the following statements is correct regarding property advertising?

1. A salesperson may photograph the property for listing purposes without the seller's permission.

2. Privacy laws do not apply to advertisements for sold properties.

3. A salesperson cannot mention that the property is owned by a famous individual without consent.

4. The advertisement must indicate that the property is newly listed.

5. Personal details of the seller can be included without any restrictions.

6. Current listing prices can be disclosed only with prior sales history.

The correct answer is: A salesperson cannot mention that the property is owned by a famous individual without consent.

The assertion that a salesperson cannot mention that the property is owned by a famous individual without consent is accurate because it aligns with principles of privacy and publicity rights. Public figures often have the right to control how their names, images, and identities are used in commercial contexts to prevent their endorsement of services or products they do not support. This means that using a celebrity's name in advertising without their permission could lead to legal repercussions for the salesperson or brokerage due to misappropriation of the individual's right to publicity. In contrast, the other statements reflect misunderstandings about advertising laws and ethical practices in real estate. For example, a salesperson generally requires permission to photograph a property for listings to respect ownership rights and privacy. Additionally, privacy laws can indeed apply to advertising sold properties, especially regarding the personal data of past owners. Personal details about a seller should always be handled with care and with appropriate consent to ensure compliance with privacy regulations. Furthermore, while listing properties as "newly listed" is common, it is not mandatory to state this in advertising, and current listing prices can be disclosed if they do not violate any previous confidentiality agreements.