14. Limiting the neighborhoods in which a licensee shows houses because of a buyer's race is
Answer: D
Steering is the practice of limiting the neighborhoods in which a licensee shows houses based on a buyer's race.
Steering involves guiding potential homebuyers towards or away from certain neighborhoods based on their race, which is discriminatory and illegal under fair housing laws.
A) puffing.
Puffing refers to exaggerated claims made by a seller or agent about a property to make it more appealing, such as stating that a house has "the best view in the city." This option is incorrect as it does not relate to racial discrimination or the limitation of housing opportunities.
B) blockbusting.
Blockbusting is a practice where real estate agents convince homeowners to sell their properties at lower prices by instilling fear that racial minorities will soon move into the neighborhood, thus causing property values to drop. While this is also a discriminatory practice, it does not specifically involve limiting where buyers can view homes based on their race.
C) redlining.
Redlining is the systematic denial of various services to residents of specific areas based on their race or ethnicity, often resulting in a lack of access to mortgages and insurance. Although it is related to racial discrimination in housing, it does not involve the direct limitation of showing properties to buyers based on their race, making it an incorrect answer.
D) steering.
Steering directly refers to the practice of limiting the neighborhoods in which a licensee shows houses based on a buyer's race. This form of discrimination is illegal and violates fair housing regulations, making this option the correct answer.
Conclusion
Steering is definitively the correct answer as it specifically describes the act of restricting a buyer's housing options based on race. In contrast, the other options, while related to real estate practices, do not accurately represent this particular discriminatory behavior. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for promoting fair housing practices and combating discrimination in real estate.