Updated Thursday, December 1, 2022

At a glance (2 minute read)

  • We're changing the term "master bedroom" to "primary bedroom" on the MLS® in an update on the evening of Thursday, December 8.
  • This change is part of our commitiment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is in line with other organizations.

Your Board is in the process of replacing the term “master bedroom” within the MLS® system to “primary bedroom”. We expect to complete this language change by the end of the year.

This decision follows a recommendation by the Real Estate Standards Organization, a not-for-profit organization that works to create consistent and effective data standards for people and organizations involved in real estate transactions across North America. CREA along with different real estate associations across the U.S. are making this change as well.

In recent years, the issue of the real estate profession using the term “master” bedroom has received attention for its potentially negative connotation with American slavery.

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Group, made up of a broad cross-section of members with support from Board staff, reviewed the issue and recommended that we shift to more neutral language by adopting the term “primary bedroom”.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles is a fundamental part of REBGV’s culture, values, and strategic priorities. Regardless of etymology or intent, home buyers, sellers, and other members of the public across North America have expressed some concern with the term.

By making this change, we intend to demonstrate our commitment to fostering a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for anyone looking to be involved in a real estate transaction.

Expect to see this change December 9

To change this terminology, we need to amend several forms, reports and fields in MLS®.

We’re doing this work with four other boards in the region. We expect to complete the transition in a system update on the evening of Thursday, December 8. Users may experience some slowness starting at 8 pm for approximately 4-6 hours while the system updates.