Question 48

Blockbusting because the broker received a high number of listings for one day.

This scenario illustrates blockbusting, as the broker's actions were aimed at creating a sense of urgency and fear among homeowners by emphasizing the presence of noisy children in the neighborhood. The strategy led to a high number of listings in a short time frame, which aligns with the definition of blockbusting.

A) a broker decided to seek additional listings there. The broker went door-to-door suggesting that homeowners who enjoyed living in their quiet neighborhood might wish to sell now and move to a different area where there would not be so many noisy children. The broker listed four homes during this marketing campaign. This was an example of

This option describes the broker's actions but does not accurately categorize them. While the broker is indeed seeking additional listings, the key aspect of blockbusting is the manipulation of homeowners' perceptions about their neighborhood, which is not directly addressed here.

B) Steering, because the broker is guiding owners to another neighborhood.

Steering refers to the practice of guiding individuals to or away from certain neighborhoods based on their race, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics. In this case, while the broker is suggesting a move, the focus on children and noise rather than protected characteristics indicates this option is not correct.

C) A good marketing plan, because the broker was successful in educating sellers.

This option mischaracterizes the broker's actions. Although the broker was successful in obtaining listings, the method used was not ethical or legitimate; it exploited homeowners' fears rather than providing genuine education about the market. Therefore, it does not qualify as a good marketing plan.

D) Blockbusting because the broker received a high number of listings for one day.

This option accurately identifies the broker's strategy as blockbusting. The broker's approach leveraged the presence of young families to create a sense of panic among homeowners, prompting them to sell quickly. The high number of listings obtained in a short period exemplifies the unethical practice of blockbusting.

E) Blockbusting because the broker persuaded owners to list because of an influx of a protected class.

While this option touches on blockbusting, it inaccurately emphasizes the idea of a protected class. The broker's focus on children rather than a specific racial or ethnic demographic does not directly align with this definition of blockbusting.

Conclusion

The correct answer is D, as it encapsulates the unethical practice of blockbusting through the broker's method of inducing fear among homeowners. All other options fail to correctly identify the nature of the broker's actions, either mischaracterizing them or misapplying the terms related to real estate practices. This situation underscores the importance of ethical conduct in real estate marketing.