I just read this article posted on Archinect referencing The Atlantic's, "The Science of Quieter Cities," and it made me draw a parallel to the United Kingdom's Advertising Standards Authority.

There's no specific codes dealing with real estate and property sales; however, Advertising Codes, Section 3, Misleading Advertising would apply in this circumstance. Here's an example of the beginning of the regulations:

• 3.1 Marketing communications must not materially mislead or be likely to do so.
• 3.2 Obvious exaggerations (“puffery”) and claims that the average consumer who sees the marketing communication is unlikely to take literally are allowed provided they do not materially mislead.
• 3.3 Marketing communications must not mislead the consumer by omitting material information. They must not mislead by hiding material information or presenting it in an unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely manner.
  Material information is information that the consumer needs to make informed decisions in relation to a product. Whether the omission or presentation of material information is likely to mislead the consumer depends on the context, the medium and, if the medium of the marketing communication is constrained by time or space, the measures that the marketer takes to make that information available to the consumer by other means.

Obviously, they're making the claim that cities are louder than non-cities. But, is every single part of the city really louder? Who would be louder— a unit on the 63rd floor of Gehry's 8 Spruce Street or a exurban single unit home next to Orlando International Airport?

And this is where these intersect— are our generalizations about living patterns in the U.S. based entirely on "puffery" we absorb from marketing materials?

For example— a real estate advertisement for 7017 Wyndham Pointe Lane, Knoxville, TN 37931:

"ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS 2-STORY HOME IN GREAT WEST KNOXVILLE NEIGHORHOOD! This move-in ready home offers a great floor plan and is in immaculate condition. Some of the many features this home offers include a neighborhood pool, very pretty hardwood floors, open eat-in kitchen with beautiful cabinetry and solid surface countertops, crown molding throughout, spacious main living area, separate shower and whirlpool tub in master bath and very large master bedroom."

• Is it "absolutelty gorgeous?" Did you conduct a survey of people rating the people's responses to the attractiveness of the house?
• Is it really a great neighborhood? Are there less murders here than in adjacent zip-codes?
• Is the property in "immaculate condition?" Is it inspected monthly?
• Is it a feature of the home if you share a pool?
• Again, did you conduct a survey regarding the attractiveness of the wood floors?
• Again, did you conduct a survey regarding the attractiveness of the cabinetry?
• Is the living area really spacious? Is it larger than other comparable houses?
• And, again, is the master bedroom larger than other comparable houses?
  
   

Because, under the ASA, this ad would read like the following:

"Two-story home in West Knoxville in neighborhood with low murder rate and below average stabbing rate. The last time it was inspected a year ago, it was not leaking, moldy or infested with cockroaches. There are floors, cabinets, solid countertops and a shared neighborhood pool. The living room is 13.7 square feet larger than other homes. The master bedroom is 21.8 square feet larger than other homes. The home also features bathtubs and toilets."

So, how different do you think America would look if we had the same policies regarding advertising that the UK does?