Texas realtors will refer to ‘master bedrooms’ as ‘primary’ in home sale listings

The Houston Association of Realtors has quietly decided to allow its members to drop use of the word ‘master’ from its sales listings after some complained of its references to slavery. 

The association made the decision, which affects its website and Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, on June 15. Listings, instead, began using the word ‘primary’ in references to the main rooms and baths on sale and rental properties.

The change came in response to requests made by the association’s members, according to a statement from the association. 

However, the association will continue allowing use of the word ‘master’ in marketing materials and in public speaking when deemed appropriate, reports the Houston Chronicle.  

A DailyMail.com review of the association’s website Friday revealed listings with the change, including one for a home on Burdine Street that lists a ‘primary bedroom’.

But the same listing goes back to using the word ‘master’ in a description of the property, which is selling between $215,000 and $250,000.

A DailyMail.com review of the association’s website Friday revealed listings with the change, including one for a home on Burdine Street that lists a ‘primary bedroom’

The same listing goes back to using the word ‘master’ in a description of the property, which is selling between $215,000 and $250,000. The association is still allowing use of the word ‘master’ in marketing materials and in public speaking when deemed appropriate

Tiffany Curry, a black Houston real estate broker and owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, said use of the word master ‘represents a stigma and place in time that we need to move forward from,’ in an interview about the change with the Chronicle. 

‘As a progressive, diverse city, Houston should be reflective of its citizenship,’ she said. 

The suggested word change also came after the police-related slaying of George Floyd on Memorial Day set in motion Black Lives Matter protests across the country.

Tiffany Curry, a black Houston real estate broker and owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, said use of the word master ‘represents a stigma and place in time that we need to move forward from,’ in an interview about the change with the Houston Chronicle

Demonstrators have called for an end to police brutality and systematic racism after the 46-year-old father of five died while being arrested by former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin.

Chauvin, who is white, was charged with Floyd’s murder after he pressed his knee against the black man’s neck for almost 9 minutes, leading to his death. 

Floyd’s passing was caught on video by a bystander, sparking outrage over the slaying and sparking change, including the removal of Confederate statues and the renaming of brands deemed racist in origin, including  Aunt Jemima pancake and syrup mix. 

The suggested word change also came after the police-related slaying of George Floyd on Memorial Day. The 46-year-old father of five is pictured in video footage of his slaying with ex-cop Derek Chauvin pressing his knee against his neck for almost nine minutes

Floyd is not mentioned in the association’s statement, which was sent to its members and explains, ‘the MLS Advisory Group regularly reviews the terms and fields used in the MLS to make sure they are consistent with the current market environment.’ 

‘The updates to Primary Bedroom and Primary Bath were among nine requests for review that were submitted by members and considered at the most recent meetings,’ the association explained.

The association said that it had received an ‘overarching message’ from its members about the continued use of the word master in listings, saying they were ‘concerned about how the terms might be perceived by some other agents and consumers.’ 

‘The consensus was that Primary describes the rooms equally as well as Master while avoiding any possible misperceptions,’ the association said.