Under Pennsylvania law, a real estate licensee selling their own property must disclose their licensed status. This requirement stems from the duty of honesty and the prevention of misrepresentation. By stating in all advertisements that the owner is a real estate licensee, the salesperson ensures transparency from the initial point of contact with the public. This disclosure prevents any potential for misleading consumers and makes it clear that the seller is a trained professional with a personal financial interest in the transaction, a key principle upheld by the State Real Estate Commission.

A. list the property with their firm: Pennsylvania law does not compel a licensee to list their personal property with their employing broker; this would be a matter of the broker's internal policy, not state law.

C. offer a sales commission or fee to cooperating brokers: Offering compensation to other brokers is a common business practice to attract buyers but is not a legal requirement for a licensee selling their own property.

D. have an active license: While the individual must have an active license to be considered a "salesperson," this describes their status, not the specific disclosure action legally required during the sale process.

1. Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission Rules and Regulations, 49 Pa. Code § 35.304. Disclosure of interest. This regulation states: "A licensee may not participate in a real estate transaction involving property in which he has an ownership interest unless he first discloses his interest in writing to all parties." While the rule specifies disclosure to "all parties," its application is interpreted to include advertising to ensure transparency from the outset.

2. Pennsylvania Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act, 63 P.S. § 455.604(a)(18). This section on Prohibited Acts forbids "Making any representation in any... advertisement... that is false, deceptive, or misleading." Advertising a property for sale by owner without disclosing that the owner is a licensee could be deemed misleading by omission, as the public is not aware they are dealing with a professional.

3. Pannabecker, F., & Finkelstein, M. (2022). Modern Real Estate Practice in Pennsylvania (14th ed.). Dearborn Real Estate Education. As used in university and college real estate licensing programs, this text clarifies the application of state law. Chapter 10, "The Real Estate Business," explains that when licensees buy or sell their own property, they must disclose their license status at the first contact, which includes advertising. This is a standard interpretation of the disclosure and anti-deception rules.