What is Puffing in real estate?

Puffing in real estate refers specifically to the act of exaggerating the attributes or qualities of a property with the intention of creating interest or excitement among potential buyers or renters. This practice is often characterized by subjective opinions rather than factual statements. For example, a seller might describe a home as "the best in the neighborhood" or "a dream home," which are opinions rather than verifiable facts.

This distinction is important because puffing is generally accepted in real estate as long as it does not cross into illegal territory, where a statement could be construed as a misleading claim or outright fraud. In contrast, objective statements about property features would consist of verifiable facts, such as square footage or the number of bedrooms, which do not qualify as puffing. Legal requirements for brokers also do not pertain to puffing, highlighting the unique nature of this practice within property marketing and representation.