We've read the phrase before "Puffing the Listing," and it's NOT a reference to the listing agent "puffing" on something prior to posting.
In real estate jargon, PUFFING is a loose term meaning: To "puff up" the property.
While it's not illegal . . . it's very borderline . . . unethical not right!
The reason: CONSUMERS read the puffier, and might not get it!
The question posted on Trulia was about the status of the property, whether it was for sale or pending. For curiosity I looked at the property, forgot all about the question . . . because all I got was PUFF . . . PURE UNADULTERATED PUFF.
I wondered if the untrained eye of the buyer would be able to discern?
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Sale fail - back on market. To be sold as-is no repairs at this price. Inspection report avail. upon request. Adorable 1906 Victorian. Zoned R1, potential to build out (up to 8 units!). Potential to sell driveway easement to neighbor. Long .19ac flat lot and so close to downtown. Total SQFT includes 480 SQFT unfinished basement. Walk to schools, shopping, busline, parks. New in 2007: vinyl windows and storm doors, large deck, and water line from meter. Buyer to perform own due diligence to determine development possibilities.
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Let's analyze this on the PUFF 'o METER:
- "Sale fail - back on market. To be sold as is no repairs" = The inspection report was a NIGHTMARE, scared the buyer. They backed out.
- "Inspection report avial. upon request." As if this is a consolation? I'd also like to know if the inspection report was based on the home inspection -- that THE PREVIOUS BUYER PAID FOR! If so, it's NOT the listing agent's or the sellers (they did not pay for it). And, unless they have permission from the previous buyer to use it for their listing, this may be unethical.
- "ADORABLE Victorian!" PUFF PUFF PUFF. I'm sure that's the ORIGINAL beginning of the listing. The puff . . . Adorable Victoria . . . AFTER your Lowe's credit card is MAXED!
- Zoned R-1 . . . HUH!! Puffing the listing to pitch a TEAR DOWN?? If it's so ADORABLE why'd you want to put multi-family zoning (up to 8 units)? How freaking adorable is this Victorian?
- Oh, and a "potential" to sell the driveway easement. Now that's clever. So when you buy this Adorable Victorian, you won't need to egress/ingress because you'll be developing it out anyway.
- The TOTAL sq. ft. of this property (in the listing) was noted as 1538 sq. ft. So, PUFF, PUFF, PUFF minus @400 sq. ft. of UNFINISHED BASEMENT -- and you're looking at a home slightly more than 1,000 sq. ft.
PUFF 'o METER rating: 45%
When representing a buyer, a seasoned agent will be able to READ in-between the lines of a listing. Unless you're really looking for that ADORABLE FIXER VICTORIAN . . . your agent will be able to discern if this would be a property worth touring.
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