What best describes the practice of steering?

Steering is a discriminatory practice in real estate where agents or brokers guide prospective homebuyers toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on the buyers' race, religion, or other protected characteristics. This practice is illegal under the Fair Housing Act, which aims to promote equal housing opportunities and prohibits discrimination in housing-related activities.

The correct answer reflects the essence of steering, highlighting how it can improperly influence buyers’ choices and perpetuate segregation within communities. By discouraging buyers from specific neighborhoods, an agent is not only misrepresenting the opportunities available to that individual but also contributing to systemic issues of inequality and limited access to housing.

Understanding this practice underlines its role in the broader context of fair housing laws and the importance of providing all buyers with equal access to diverse neighborhoods without biases or prejudgments influenced by socioeconomic status, race, or other factors.