Is it us or do the TREC requirements for posting the IABS and Consumer Protection Notice on social media seem a little confusing? “So what exactly DOES TREC want from me? Am I compliant?” These are questions we are asked often.
We all know TREC is asking that the Information About Brokerage Service and Consumer Protection Notices be accessible on any platform that is used as a business website, right? Not only do they want you to have both of those notices, they also want it to be in a certain font size! Did you know that a “business website” doesn’t just mean your real estate website? It also means social media! Seems simple enough until you start trying to figure out how to have those two notices front and center on your Instagram feed that is ever changing, or on your Facebook page using the correct font. It’s one of the top concerns we hear from our agents.
TREC recently put out this article giving more clarification on compliance with social media and the two notices. We’ve read through it and basically, this is what it is saying:
IF both notices are “readily noticeable” on the first page of your website, you can add a link to that website from the social media account holder profile. Make sense? In other words, in your ABOUT ME section of all platforms, if the website link you have listed goes directly to a page that has the links to both forms READILY NOTICEABLE (correct font and all), that works for TREC. See example below.
Also, aside from addressing rules on providing the two notices, the Texas Real Estate Commission recently released other rules and changes about the way you advertise your business. Here is the original article: TREC Advertising Rules
They break it down here in this video.
Of course, you should ALWAYS consult with your Broker and/or TREC for any questions or more clarification.
(That “website” link should go DIRECTLY to a webpage that has both notices readily noticeable on the front page.)