Short answer: the federal Fair Housing advertising rule, 24 CFR 100.75, doesn't name any language. It bans ads that indicate a preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, and it also covers how you choose the media and locations for your ads. So the questions that matter are what your Spanish ad says and who gets to see your marketing. Our practice: run Spanish alongside English, with the same facts, and describe the property, never the buyer. On Stellar MLS, keep the public remarks in English, because the required disclosures use exact English wording.
Plain-English summary, not legal advice. ListingAce isn't affiliated with Stellar MLS or HUD. For a question about your own ads, ask your broker or a qualified attorney.
What 24 CFR 100.75 says
The rule is HUD's Fair Housing Act advertising regulation (24 CFR 100.75, eCFR). Four parts matter for listing marketing:
- (a) It is unlawful to "make, print or publish, or cause to be made, printed or published, any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling which indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin."
- (b) Written notices include "applications, flyers, brochures, deeds, signs, banners, posters, billboards or any documents used with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling." That's your flyer, in either language.
- (c)(1) Discriminatory ads include "using words, phrases, photographs, illustrations, symbols or forms" which convey that dwellings are or aren't available to a particular group.
- (c)(3) They also include "selecting media or locations for advertising the sale or rental of dwellings which deny particular segments of the housing market information about housing opportunities" because of a protected trait.
What it doesn't say
The rule doesn't mention Spanish, English or any other language. It doesn't ban marketing in Spanish, and it doesn't require it. Be wary of anyone who says it does either.
What it does reach is the content of a Spanish ad, under (a) and (c)(1), and your media choices, under (c)(3). Those two points drive the practical rules below.
Why Spanish runs alongside English
Because (c)(3) is about media choices that keep parts of the market from learning about housing, we don't make Spanish-only campaigns. A Spanish version next to the English one adds readers. It doesn't take any away. Running the same listing, at the same price and on the same terms, on the same channels in both languages keeps everyone informed.
The content rule applies in Spanish exactly as in English. Phrases aimed at a nationality or ethnicity, such as "ideal para familias hispanas," use words that convey a preference based on national origin, which is what 100.75(a) and (c)(1) address. Describe the home: 3 habitaciones, patio cercado, lanai con mosquitero.
What to keep in English on Stellar MLS
Stellar's remarks rule (Article 04.06) lists what public remarks can't contain. It doesn't address language. But some required disclosures use exact English first words:
- Virtually staged photos: the remarks must begin "One or more photo(s) was virtually staged." (Article 04.04)
- Short sales: "short sale" must be the first words of the remarks (Article 04.06(D)).
Our recommendation: keep MLS public remarks in English, and put the Spanish on your flyer, social posts, email and property page. If you want a Spanish sentence inside the remarks, ask Stellar Compliance first (compliance@stellarmls.com, listed on rules.stellarmls.com).
Your brokerage name goes on the Spanish version too
Florida's advertising rule says "all real estate advertisements must include the licensed name of the brokerage firm," and online the name goes next to your contact details (Fla. Admin. Code R. 61J2-10.025). A Spanish flyer or post is an ad like any other.
Writing Spanish that sounds like Florida
- Write it, don't translate word for word. Lead with the same facts as your English copy, in natural Spanish.
- Pick your terms and stay consistent: habitación or dormitorio (bedroom), habitación principal (never a translation of "master"), lavaplatos (dishwasher), clóset, cuota de la asociación (HOA).
- Translate the disclosures too, alongside the English, never instead of it: "Una o más fotos fueron amuebladas virtualmente."
- Keep every number identical: price, square footage, HOA fee, bed and bath counts.
- Keep the caveats: AS-IS (se vende en su estado actual), "buyer to verify" (el comprador debe verificar toda la información).
- Have a fluent person review it before it's published.
Bilingual listing checklist
- English version runs on the same channels as the Spanish one
- Same facts, numbers and terms in both languages
- MLS public remarks in English, with Stellar's required first words
- Staging disclosure in both languages wherever staged photos appear
- AS-IS and "buyer to verify" caveats in both languages
- Brokerage licensed name on every version
- No words or images about who should live there, in either language
- Reviewed by a fluent speaker
Common questions
Is it legal to advertise a home only in Spanish?
24 CFR 100.75 doesn't address language directly, but it does cover media choices that keep parts of the market from learning about housing. That's why we always run Spanish alongside English. Ask your broker or attorney about a specific campaign.
Can my Stellar MLS public remarks be in Spanish?
Stellar's rules don't address the language of remarks, but required disclosures must use exact English wording. Keep remarks in English, and check with Stellar Compliance before adding Spanish.
Should the Spanish copy include the virtual staging disclosure?
Yes. If staged photos appear next to the Spanish copy, say so in Spanish too, alongside the English disclosure.
Do I need the Equal Housing Opportunity statement on a Spanish flyer?
Our bilingual flyers include it in both languages (*Igualdad de Oportunidades en la Vivienda*). Check your broker's policy on the logo and statement.
Add Spanish to any ListingAce kit for +$19 (founding price for our first 10 clients, then $29). You get a natural Florida Spanish description and short version, Instagram and Facebook copy, and a bilingual flyer with your brokerage name and the Equal Housing Opportunity statement in both languages. It's always delivered alongside your English copy, your MLS remarks stay in English, and a person reviews it before you get it. Add Spanish to an order → or get a free sample kit.
Related
- Spanish and bilingual listing marketing (primary CTA)
- Florida listing flyer and social post rules
- Pricing
- Virtual staging disclosure on social media and flyers
Sources checked Oct 19, 2026: 24 CFR 100.75 (eCFR); Stellar MLS Rules & Regulations PDF (last updated Oct 15, 2026), Articles 04.04 and 04.06; rules.stellarmls.com (Compliance contact); Fla. Admin. Code R. 61J2-10.025.