The Houston Association of REALTORS® was featured on the game show Jeopardy! this week. The episode, which aired Oct. 11, included a Daily Double that referenced HAR’s decision to eliminate the term “master bedroom” from listings.

After selecting the category “Where In The House?” reigning Jeopardy! champ Cris Pannullo was given the answer, “In 2020 the socially conscious Houston Assoc. of REALTORS® dropped this 2-word term for where the head of the house sleeps.” He correctly answered in the form of a question, “What is the master bedroom?”

HAR’s decision to remove this terminology from their MLS dates back to 2020, when members became concerned about the connotation of the phrase. Today, HAR uses the phrase “primary bedroom” instead.

“Shifting from the word ‘master’ to ‘primary’ was one of the smallest actions we have taken, but it had one of the largest responses,” said HAR Chair Jennifer Wauhob. “Two years ago, our MLS Advisory Group and Board of Directors believed the change was consistent with the current market environment and that still holds true today. We want the home buying and selling process to be inclusive for all.”