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Sometimes our buyer clients say the most comical things to make you laugh (and learn)!

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center



Words that buyers may be tired of seeing in real estate listingsI have permission from my buyer client to share this with all of you. (Thank you Terry!)   It helped that Terry found me through the blog articles that I've written, so she is aware of how much we share such things with each other.

Terry and I were going over what she wanted in a condo:  Price range, "must have" and "oooh that would be nice" list when she cut to the chase on how to further weed out the condos to send to her:

 

 

 


"If it says 'MUST SEE!!!' on the form don't even bother to send it to me!"



I tell you, I laughed so hard when I read that from her.  I've been feeling much the same way when I read those 'MUST SEE' words.  After all, aren't there other words that we can use in our listing descriptions for the public that tell us why our buyers should want to make that appointment?

Of course I asked her why those words were forbidden to her.  She said "I'm sick of seeing them. I've been seeing them for years. I will probably be sick after I've seen a house with that in the description, so why bother?"

None of the listings I sent her today had those words in the descriptions. She thanked me for that.



Just when we think we know what a buyer is thinking, they get right to the point of something obvious and make us laugh (and learn).

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Kris, It's funny the little things that compel a buyer or make them run-screaming! Thank you for sharing that great story!

Jul 10, 2009 09:54 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

That's very funny - but sometimes it's so tough to come up with something that isn't cliched, worn down, or beaten to a pulp.  I actually bought a book many years ago with alternative words for the regular words used in ads.

Jul 10, 2009 10:16 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Kris,

Some words are old and tired and buyers are rebelling to the usage. Always good to listen to their take on our advertising skills! We can learn something!

Jul 10, 2009 10:47 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Kris, this is like those cutsie sign riders that say "I'm gorgeous inside!"  Usually they are on the signs in front of really ugly houses!

Jul 10, 2009 10:48 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Kris - You're making me wonder if I've ever used that "phrase" before.....let's hope not.

Jul 10, 2009 11:20 AM
Duane Murphy
Expert Real Estate Partners LLC - Appleton, WI
Broker- Owner-Real Estate -

I also like the phrase "this one will sell fast" or "won't last long" especially after the home has been on the market for many many months!

Jul 10, 2009 11:35 AM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

I love the comments "must see" "hurry before its gone" and the property has been on the market for a year at the same price.

Jul 10, 2009 02:25 PM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro

Kris--Terry (Westbrook) and I think alike as I read this I was thinking about all those listings that say "hurry on this one" that have snow in the pictures in July. Your Terry is one smart cookie!

Jul 10, 2009 02:41 PM
Steve Hoffacker
Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL
Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Kris,

It's interesting what some of those trigger words are that we think work and then find out that they have the opposite effect. :)

Steve

Jul 10, 2009 04:13 PM
Amy Salisbury
Leading Edge Properties - Charles Town, WV
West Virginia Realtor/Jefferson/Berkeley

How funny Kris, but a lesson we all probably need to heed...I always say that keys are the bane of my existence (I break them, lose them, etc) but writing remarks about the average house in an average neighborhood listed at an average price runs a close second! 

Jul 10, 2009 11:27 PM
George & Arlene Paukert
Road to Wealth, Inc. - West Palm Beach, FL

Have you noticed the must sees area also the ones without any pictures online? I always say to my self, I would love to see it, so why don't you want to show it?

Jul 10, 2009 11:41 PM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Wanda,  I know - she cracked me up.  It came out of the blue!

Margaret, buying that book was a great idea!  I didn't even know one existed. Thanks.

Dorie,  Perhaps we should start asking buyers what draws them in and then start remembering what they say.

Patricia,  I've noticed that also :-)  It's like they are saying "Hey, ignore the lack of curb appeal, come inside anyway!"

Michelle,  Hopefully you've used it in a more subtle way - like - "Agents, you're clients will be disappointed if you don't view this one!"

Duane,  I know!   I have to laugh at those myself.  (Especially when I notice the 90+ days on market..)

Jul 11, 2009 12:40 AM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Terry,  Yes, those give me a chuckle as well :-)

Teri,  Believe it or not I saw several homes on the MLS yesterday with snow on the ground (and in the driveways, and on the porches..)  All with the words "will sell fast!" or something to that effect.

Steve,  It was an eye opener for me!

Amy,  I list homes very rarely, but when I have the "average average average" one that you spoke of I always try to find one thing special about the home that I think buyers want.  Try it!

George:   Ohhhh the dratted mystery house!   LOL.  Yes, I've seen the same thing.

Jul 11, 2009 12:43 AM
Jenny Kotulak
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage - Oakville, ON
Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate

Hi Kris,

Well that Duane used my comment so I will try something different.  It's a wee bit off topic but relevent I think.

I did an evaluation the other night and the potential seller said whenever he brings up listings on our mls system realtor.ca if there are no photos he doesn't even bother looking at the listing.

I try to have the photos and virtual tour done before listing so that they will appear with the listing.  I thought that was an interesting comment.

Jul 11, 2009 05:18 PM
Mike Mitchell
Kee Realty - Saint Clair Shores, MI
REALTOR (R)

Yikes! I'm guilty of using "Must See" in my listing descriptions. I usually use that when I think the house shows very well, I'll have to think twice about that from now on. Thanks Kris and thank you to your buyer for her input :)

 

Jul 22, 2009 07:07 AM