What is the term used when a sales agent excludes properties in certain neighborhoods to avoid discomfort for clients?

The term "steering" refers to the practice where a sales agent directs clients toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on factors like race, ethnicity, or other personal characteristics. This is done with the intention of avoiding discomfort for clients, effectively limiting their choices based on these characteristics. Steering is regarded as an unethical and illegal practice under the Fair Housing Act, which aims to combat discrimination in housing.

In contrast to steering, redlining involves denying services, typically home loan financing, based on the geographic area of a community, affecting primarily minority neighborhoods. Blockbusting is a tactic used to instigate panic selling in neighborhoods by inducing fear among property owners about the racial integration of their community. While these practices are equally concerning in the context of housing discrimination, steering specifically refers to the act of guiding clients away from certain properties or areas, thereby restricting their housing options.