The correct answer is C, Steering. Steering occurs when a real estate professional directs prospective purchasers or renters toward or away from particular properties or neighborhoods because of a protected characteristic.
Religion is a protected class under both federal fair-housing law and Massachusetts law. Richard therefore cannot decide which neighborhoods are appropriate for a Muslim family based on the religious composition or perceived attitudes of those neighborhoods.
A licensee should instead respond to objective housing criteria supplied by the client: price, property size, number of bedrooms, transportation access, commute, amenities, location requested by the client, and other lawful preferences.
Redlining traditionally involves discriminatory lending, insurance, or service decisions based on geography or protected-class composition. Blockbusting involves inducing owners to sell by creating fear concerning the entry of protected groups into a neighborhood.
Steering can occur even when an agent claims to be “protecting” the buyer. The professional ' s motive does not make religious segregation lawful.
Study Guide Reference: Practice of Real Estate — Federal and Massachusetts Fair Housing; Steering and Religious Discrimination.
