Steering is primarily associated with which unethical practice in real estate?

Steering is primarily associated with discriminatory guiding in real estate. This unethical practice occurs when agents direct prospective buyers or renters toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or other protected characteristics. Such behavior is not only unethical but also illegal under the Fair Housing Act, which aims to prevent discrimination in housing. Steering undermines the integrity of the real estate market and perpetuates segregation, limiting consumers' choices and opportunities based on demographic factors rather than individual needs or preferences.

In contrast, misleading advertisements, overpricing properties, and falsifying documents, while serious issues, do not specifically relate to the practice of steering. Misleading advertisements often involve providing false or deceptive information about properties, while overpricing refers to charging more for properties than they are worth. Falsifying documents entails the illegal alteration or fabrication of paperwork associated with real estate transactions. Each of these practices poses significant risks and ethical concerns, but they focus on different aspects of deceit in real estate rather than the discriminatory nature inherent to steering.