Most advertising complaints against agents are not about outrageous claims. They are about small, easy-to-miss details:
- a brokerage name that is too small
- a team name used before it was approved
- a personal real estate corporation (PREC) left off a flyer
These rules exist for one reason: a consumer should always know they are dealing with a licensee, and which brokerage that licensee works for.
Here is what to check on every flyer, email, social post and video.
1. The brokerage name: full, prominent and readable
British Columbia
Section 40 of the Real Estate Services Rules says the brokerage's licensee name must be displayed in a prominent and easily readable way in all real estate advertising. BCFSA's advertising checklist adds some detail:
- Use the full registered name. If the brokerage is "ABC Hillside Realty Ltd.", then "ABC Realty" or "Hillside Realty" is not enough.
- A franchise name is not the brokerage name. The brand people recognise is usually only part of the legal name.
- Translations don't count. Use the name exactly as registered.
- Prominence is judged relative to the ad. BCFSA says a brokerage name at the bottom of a website or print ad in small type does not meet the rule.
- Audio and radio ads must say the brokerage name clearly.
- Co-listings must show both brokerages, and it must be obvious who belongs to which.
United States
Every state has its own version. Two common examples:
- Texas: TREC Rule 535.155 requires the broker's name in at least half the size of the largest contact information for any agent, associated broker or team name in the ad.
- California: Business and Professions Code section 10140.6 requires your name, license number and the responsible broker's identity on materials intended as the first point of contact with consumers. That includes flyers, business cards, signs and online ads. The DRE says the license number can't be in a smaller font than the smallest text in the ad.
Rule of thumb: if the brokerage name is the hardest thing to read on your ad, fix it.
2. Team names: approved first, never instead of the brokerage
Teams are where many agents slip up.
British Columbia
- A team name must be approved by BCFSA before you advertise with it. Using an unregistered team name is a disciplinary issue, and BCFSA publishes cases on it.
- Once approved, you must use it. All advertising by the team, or by individual members advertising trading services, must clearly show the team name.
- The brokerage name must still be prominent. A big team logo with a tiny brokerage line doesn't comply.
- Unlicensed team members must be identified as unlicensed if their names appear in an ad. This includes assistants and coordinators.
United States
Many states regulate team names. Common requirements include:
- The name can't suggest the team is its own brokerage, so avoid words like "Realty" or "Brokerage".
- The sponsoring broker must be shown with it, often at a minimum size compared with the team name.
Check your state commission's rules and your brokerage's policy manual.
3. Personal Real Estate Corporations: the BC rule people forget
If you hold a Personal Real Estate Corporation in BC, there is a rule that surprises many agents:
Advertising that identifies you must use the licensee name of the PREC, not your personal name.
For example, if your PREC is licensed as "Robbie Vendre Personal Real Estate Corporation", your ads must say exactly that, not just "Robbie Vendre".
A few practical points from BCFSA's guidance:
- The words don't need to be the same size or font. "Robbie Vendre" can be large, with "Personal Real Estate Corporation" smaller underneath, as long as it is clearly included.
- Pick your PREC name carefully. If your licence uses a preferred name (say "Jeffrey Wu" instead of "Jie Wu"), the PREC's legal name decides what you can advertise.
- Team members with a PREC can show both the team name and their PREC name.
Leaving "Personal Real Estate Corporation" off a flyer, an email signature or an Instagram bio is one of the most common small mistakes we see.
4. Social media: profile vs. every post
BC
BCFSA's position is practical:
- Your profile (Facebook page, Instagram bio, LinkedIn, YouTube "About") must include your brokerage name, and your team name if you have one.
- Individual posts don't each need the brokerage name, as long as the profile shows it. The exception is where a post shows up without your profile, as in some platforms and ads. Then include it in the post or in the image.
- Listing videos and reels: BCFSA's guidance suggests putting the brokerage, PREC or team name in the video title, the description or the intro. We recommend putting it in the video itself, because videos get downloaded and re-shared without their captions. See how to make a real estate video from photos for where it fits.
US
Many states treat each social ad as an advertisement that needs the broker's name. Some allow a "one click away" approach for limited-space formats. When in doubt, put it in the image. For post ideas that fit these rules, see 30 social media post ideas for every listing.
5. A quick reference: what goes where
| Item | Brokerage name | Your licensed name (or PREC name in BC) | Team name (if approved) | Disclosure for altered photos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flyer / feature sheet | ✅ prominent | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ if any photo is staged or altered |
| "Just listed" email | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Social profile | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | n/a |
| Social post / reel | ✅ on the image is safest | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ if altered photos are shown |
| Signs | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | n/a |
| Website / landing page | ✅ on every page | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Your checklist before anything goes out
- Full registered brokerage name, easy to read, not hidden at the bottom.
- Your licensed name, or your PREC name with "Personal Real Estate Corporation" spelled out in BC.
- Team name only if approved, with the brokerage name still prominent.
- Unlicensed team members labelled as unlicensed.
- License number, if your state requires it (California does on first-contact materials).
- Only the brokerage's address, not a personal office address (BC).
- Disclosure and a link to the originals if any photo is staged or altered. See our virtual staging disclosure guide.
How Trulisted helps
Your Trulisted brand kit stores your brokerage name, your team and your Personal Real Estate Corporation wording once. Every flyer, email and reel then uses them automatically. If the brokerage name is missing, the download is blocked until you add it, so a Trulisted flyer can't be downloaded without it. See how the compliance check works.
Frequently asked questions
Does every social media post need my brokerage name in BC?
No. BCFSA says your profile screen (for example your Facebook page or Instagram bio) must show your brokerage name, and your team name if you have one. Individual posts don't each need it. Images and videos that get shared away from your profile are safer with the name on them.
Do I have to write out "Personal Real Estate Corporation" in full?
In BC, advertising must use your PREC's licensee name, and BCFSA's guidance says the term "personal real estate corporation" must be clearly included. It can be in a smaller font than your name.
Can I advertise with a team name before it is approved?
Not in BC. A team name must be approved by BCFSA before you use it in any advertising, and BCFSA has disciplined licensees for advertising under unregistered team names.
Is my franchise name the same as my brokerage name?
Usually not. The franchise brand is often only part of the brokerage's full registered name. Your ads must show the full registered name.
Do I need my license number on flyers in the US?
It depends on the state. California requires your name, license number and the responsible broker's identity on first-point-of-contact materials such as flyers, business cards and online ads. Check your state commission's rules.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Advertising rules differ by province, state, board and brokerage. Confirm details with your managing broker or regulator.