@properties To Drop The Term “Master” From Bedroom/Bath Descriptions
As Chicago’s largest residential real estate firm and one of the largest real estate brokerage firms in the country, yesterday we announced that we will no longer use the word “master” to describe bedrooms or bathrooms on our corporate website and in other marketing materials.
The move follows the announcement last week that the Houston Association of REALTORS (HAR) is replacing the term “master” with “primary” to describe a home’s main bedroom and bath in its property listing database. HAR is believed to be the first REALTOR association to formally make this change.
Other industries have announced similar initiatives. For example, last week The New York Times reported that the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, which grants the highest designation to wine experts, will no longer use the term “master” with a sommelier’s surname.
The rethinking of commonly accepted terms is growing amid renewed calls for racial justice and equality, following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May.
@properties’ co-founders, Thad Wong and Mike Golden, jointly stated, “This is one small change we can make that seems easy and obvious. What is most important is not the origin of the term ‘master bedroom,’ but rather the fact that it is offensive to some on the basis of race and sex. Therefore, there is no reason to continue using it in our business. Throughout modern history, there are countless examples of how changes to the lexicon have promoted a greater sense of dignity and inclusivity. We have an opportunity to do that here.”
@properties will not ban the use of the terms “master bedroom” or “master bath” among our agents, who are independent contractors. However, we will phase out the term in our corporate marketing and will recommend that our agents follow suit.
