Privacy Policy

    Last Updated: January 2025

    Joe Southard ("we," "us," "our") operates joesouthardrealtor.com (the "Site"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you visit our website, submit contact forms, request information about properties, engage with our marketing campaigns, or communicate with us via email, phone, or SMS text message.

    By using our Site or services, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our Site or provide us with your personal information.

    1. Information We Collect

    We collect several types of information from and about users of our Site:

    1.1 Information You Provide to Us

    We collect information you voluntarily provide when you:

    • Submit a contact form, property inquiry form, or home valuation request
    • Sign up for our newsletter, property alerts, or market updates
    • Create an account on our Site
    • Schedule a showing, consultation, or phone call
    • Provide feedback, testimonials, or reviews
    • Communicate with us via email, phone, or SMS text message

    This information may include:

    • Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address
    • Property addresses, home search preferences, and criteria
    • Financial information related to your homebuying capacity (if provided)
    • Messages, questions, and other communications
    • Any other information you choose to share with us

    1.2 Information Automatically Collected

    When you visit our Site, we automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing behavior through cookies, web beacons, pixels, and similar tracking technologies. This includes:

    • IP address and approximate geographic location
    • Browser type, operating system, and device information
    • Pages visited, links clicked, and time spent on pages
    • Referring website or source that brought you to our Site
    • Search queries entered on our Site
    • Date and time of your visit

    1.3 Information from Third-Party Analytics and Advertising Services

    We use third-party services such as Google Analytics, Google Ads, Facebook Pixel, and other advertising platforms to collect data about your interactions with our Site and advertisements. These services may use cookies, tracking pixels, and other technologies to:

    • Analyze website traffic and user behavior
    • Deliver targeted advertisements based on your interests and online activity
    • Track the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns
    • Enable retargeting and remarketing campaigns across other websites and platforms

    For more information about how these third-party services collect and use your data, please refer to their respective privacy policies.

    2. How We Use Your Information

    We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

    2.1 Providing Real Estate Services

    • Respond to your inquiries, contact form submissions, and requests for information
    • Provide property listings, market analyses, and home valuations
    • Schedule showings, consultations, and meetings
    • Facilitate real estate transactions and related services

    2.2 Communications and Marketing

    • Send you property alerts, new listings, open house notifications, and market updates
    • Deliver newsletters, promotional emails, and other marketing communications
    • Send automated email sequences and follow-up messages via email marketing platforms
    • Send SMS text messages for appointment reminders, urgent updates, and promotional offers (with your prior consent)
    • Provide customer support and respond to your questions

    2.3 Analytics, Advertising, and Retargeting

    • Analyze website traffic, user behavior, and engagement to improve our Site
    • Measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns and advertisements
    • Deliver targeted and personalized advertisements based on your interests and online activity
    • Retarget and remarket to users who have visited our Site or engaged with our content

    2.4 Legal Compliance and Business Operations

    • Comply with legal obligations, industry regulations, and court orders
    • Protect our rights, property, and safety, and that of our clients and third parties
    • Detect, prevent, and address fraud, security issues, and technical problems
    • Maintain and improve the functionality and security of our Site

    3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

    Our Site uses cookies, web beacons, pixels, and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing behavior and preferences. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us recognize you and remember your preferences.

    3.1 Types of Cookies We Use

    • Essential Cookies: Necessary for the Site to function properly, such as enabling secure login and navigation
    • Analytics Cookies: Collect data about how visitors use our Site to help us improve performance and user experience (e.g., Google Analytics)
    • Advertising Cookies: Track your online activity to deliver personalized advertisements and measure campaign effectiveness (e.g., Google Ads, Facebook Pixel)
    • Retargeting/Remarketing Cookies: Enable us to show you relevant ads on other websites and platforms after you leave our Site

    3.2 Third-Party Tracking and Advertising

    We use third-party advertising services, including but not limited to:

    • Google Ads and Google Analytics: To track website traffic, conversions, and deliver targeted ads through Google's Display Network and Search Network
    • Facebook Pixel and Meta Advertising: To track conversions, build custom audiences, and deliver personalized ads on Facebook and Instagram
    • Other Advertising Platforms: We may use additional advertising networks and tracking services to reach potential clients across the web

    These third parties may collect information about your online activities over time and across different websites to provide targeted advertising based on your interests.

    3.3 Managing Cookies and Tracking Preferences

    You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies, though this may impact your experience on our Site. To opt out of interest-based advertising, you can visit:

    • Network Advertising Initiative (NAI): www.networkadvertising.org/choices
    • Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA): www.aboutads.info/choices
    • Google Ads Settings: www.google.com/settings/ads

    4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

    We do not sell your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information in the following circumstances:

    4.1 Real Estate Brokerage and MLS

    We may share your information with Charles Rutenberg Realty, our affiliated brokerage, and Multiple Listing Services (MLS) for purposes of facilitating real estate transactions, accessing property listings, and providing professional services.

    4.2 Service Providers

    We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our Site, conducting our business, and providing services to you. These providers include:

    • Email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact) for sending newsletters and automated email campaigns
    • SMS service providers for sending text message alerts and reminders
    • Customer relationship management (CRM) systems for managing client interactions
    • Analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics) for tracking website performance
    • Advertising platforms (e.g., Google Ads, Facebook) for delivering targeted advertisements
    • Website hosting and technical support providers

    These service providers are contractually obligated to use your information only for the purposes of providing services to us and are prohibited from using or disclosing your information for any other purpose.

    4.3 Legal Requirements and Protection

    We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities, such as:

    • Compliance with a subpoena, court order, or legal process
    • Protection of our rights, property, and safety, or that of our clients and the public
    • Investigation of fraud, security issues, or violations of our terms of service
    • Enforcement of our agreements or policies

    4.4 Business Transfers

    In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email or prominent notice on our Site if your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

    5. Email and SMS Communications

    5.1 Marketing Emails

    By providing your email address, you consent to receive marketing emails from us, including property alerts, newsletters, market updates, and promotional offers. We may use automated email sequences to follow up on inquiries and nurture client relationships.

    You can opt out of marketing emails at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any email or by contacting us directly at JoeSouthardRealtor@gmail.com.

    5.2 Transactional Emails

    We may send you transactional emails related to your inquiries, scheduled appointments, account activity, and real estate transactions. These emails are necessary for providing our services and are not subject to the marketing opt-out.

    5.3 Automated Email Replies

    When you submit a contact form or request information, you may receive an automated email response confirming receipt of your message. This automated reply may include additional information about our services and next steps.

    5.4 SMS Text Messages

    By providing your mobile phone number and opting in to receive text messages, you expressly consent to receive SMS communications from us, including:

    • Appointment reminders and confirmations
    • Property alerts and new listing notifications
    • Urgent updates related to real estate transactions
    • Promotional offers and marketing messages

    Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. You can opt out of SMS messages at any time by replying STOP to any text message from us or by contacting us at (407) 791-3754.

    By opting in to SMS communications, you acknowledge that you are the account holder or have the account holder's permission to receive text messages at the provided number.

    6. Data Security

    We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. These measures include:

    • Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption for data transmitted through our Site
    • Restricted access to personal information by authorized personnel only
    • Regular security assessments and updates to our systems
    • Secure storage of data with reputable third-party hosting providers

    However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

    7. Data Retention

    We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When your information is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

    8. Your Rights and Choices

    You have certain rights regarding your personal information:

    • Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
    • Correction: Request that we correct or update inaccurate or incomplete information
    • Deletion: Request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions
    • Opt-Out of Marketing: Unsubscribe from marketing emails by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email, or opt out of SMS messages by replying STOP
    • Opt-Out of Targeted Advertising: Manage your cookie and tracking preferences through your browser settings or by visiting the opt-out links provided in Section 3.3

    To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact information provided below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable law.

    9. California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

    If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

    • Right to Know: Request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected, the sources from which it was collected, the purposes for which it is used, and the third parties with whom it is shared
    • Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions
    • Right to Opt-Out of Sale/Sharing: We do not sell your personal information. However, we may share information for targeted advertising purposes, which may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" under California law. You have the right to opt out of such sharing
    • Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Personal Information: Request that we limit the use of sensitive personal information to purposes necessary for providing services
    • Right to Non-Discrimination: Exercise your privacy rights without receiving discriminatory treatment

    To submit a request or opt out of the sharing of your information for targeted advertising, please contact us at JoeSouthardRealtor@gmail.com or (407) 791-3754.

    10. Children's Privacy

    Our Site is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

    11. Third-Party Websites and Links

    Our Site may contain links to third-party websites, including social media platforms, property listing sites, and advertising networks. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

    12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

    We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our Site with a new "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our Site after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

    13. International Users

    Our Site is operated in the United States and is intended for users located in the United States. If you are accessing our Site from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country.

    14. Contact Us

    If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

    Joe Southard
    Charles Rutenberg Realty
    Email: JoeSouthardRealtor@gmail.com
    Phone: (407) 791-3754
    Website: joesouthardrealtor.com