When forming a real estate team under Dalton Wade, you may choose a team name that represents your brand and market presence. However, team names must comply with both state advertising regulations and Dalton Wade brokerage policies.

These rules are designed to prevent consumer confusion and ensure that teams do not appear to operate as independent brokerages.

Before using a team name in any marketing or advertising, the team must first be approved by the brokerage through the Team Registration & Approval Form.

General Team Name Rules

While exact regulations vary by state, most states follow similar principles when it comes to team names and advertising.

In general, real estate teams:

Must:

• Operate under a licensed brokerage

• Clearly identify the brokerage in advertising

• Avoid misleading the public about brokerage supervision

• Use a team name that has been approved by the brokerage

Must Not:

• Present themselves as an independent brokerage

• Use business terms that imply brokerage ownership (such as Realty, Brokerage, or Company when prohibited by state law)

• Advertise under a team name that has not been approved by the brokerage

All team names used by Dalton Wade agents must first be reviewed and approved through the Team Registration & Approval Form and should have names that comply with our Team Compliance & Advertising Guide.

States Where Dalton Wade Operates

Dalton Wade currently operates in the following states and jurisdictions:

• Alabama

• California

• Florida

• Georgia

• Maryland

• New York

• North Carolina

• Oregon

• South Carolina

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Virginia

• Washington

• Washington DC

Each of these states may have different rules regarding:

• Team name structure

• Advertising disclosures

• Brokerage identification

• License number disclosure

• Team registration or assumed business name filings

Because regulations vary by state, agents must review the official compliance guidance before advertising under a team name.

Examples of Team Name Rules by State

Below are a few examples of how team name rules may differ depending on the state. Please consult the Team Compliance & Advertising Guide for a complete list of all states.

Alabama

Under Alabama law, teams must include the word “Team” or “Group” in the team name and must designate a Team Leader with the brokerage. Teams must also operate under brokerage supervision and cannot function as independent brokerages.

Florida

Florida advertising rules prohibit team names from using terms such as Realty, Real Estate, Brokerage, Company, LLC, or Corporation, as these terms may imply the team is a separate brokerage.

Texas

Texas requires team names to end with “Team” or “Group.” Advertising must also include the brokerage name in lettering at least half the size of the largest team or agent name.

California

In California, some team names may qualify as a Fictitious Business Name (FBN) depending on the wording of the name. In those cases, the team name may need to be filed and approved before use.

Because these rules vary widely, agents should always review the full compliance guidelines before launching marketing materials.

Review the Team Compliance & Advertising Guide

For complete state-specific rules, examples, and advertising requirements, please review the Team Compliance & Advertising Guide.

The guide includes detailed guidance for all states where Dalton Wade operates, including:

• Team name requirements

• Advertising rules

• Print marketing guidelines

• Website and social media requirements

• License number disclosure requirements

• State regulatory sources

Reviewing these guidelines before launching marketing materials helps ensure your team remains compliant with state regulations.