The word "NEW" is probably the most overstated word in real estate. I see it all the time. To me, NEW means never been used. It means it was installed VERY recently, as in the last 6 months. A roof that's a year old is not NEW. It's newER.

 

It's wise to advertise items as newer versus new.

 

I recently showed a home that had a flyer on the kitchen counter that read "NEW DISHWASHER 2005! NEW BACK DOOR 2009, NEW A/C 2010."  Granted those are all nice additions, but they are hardly new. 

Paint is paint. I have never seen a paint job that was "designer." What exactly is designer paint anyways?

Breakfast rooms can be sun-filled. I like that. But they aren't incredibly gorgeous or breathtaking. I've never walked into someone's "morning room" and passed out with its beauty.

Do you know anyone that bird watches? I don't. I've never even met someone that did. The other day I was surfing the MLS and read a caption under a photo that read... "Imagine yourself sipping coffee and bird watching with this incredible view." I was so intrigued that I took to Google Earth. The back yard was quite small and backed up to a half dozen pine trees. Really? Pine trees? Bird watching?

vultures

 

 

 

 

 

 

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82 Comments on It's the year 2012. A 2005 dishwasher is no longer new.

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JUN
09
511,432 Points 12 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I sometimes laugh out loud at the MLS descriptions.  This one was from yesterday.  MOLD - but a great fixer-upper.  Cash only......Geez, I wonder why?

8:07am • #64
645,074 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

What a fun blog.  I myself have been guilty of the overuse of the word "new."

8:19am • #65
299,746 Points 21 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

I've been called out by an agent for saying "to die for house and location" and "drop dead georgeous kitchen"  This agent was way too serious.  She says nothing is worth dying for and that you should never use the word "dead" when advertising or describing a house.  I'm guilty of being overly enthusiatic about describing my listings.

8:36am • #66
196,237 Points Outside Blog

I agree with Larry, #52, response. My client replaced all the appliances with new, the warranty's included, yet the appliances were manufactured in 2010, essentially two years old but never-the-less still new since it has never been used, so it depends on your definition of new, doesn't it?

There are many liquidators selling new appliances or other products that have never been used or sold, so when a sale occurs and the price is unbelievable, chances are it's not the newest model but still new. 

8:40am • #67
299,746 Points 21 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

I agree about the paint color thing - If you have to say anything about the paint, just say tasteful or neutral.  Anything else, including "Designer" is usually some weird off beat color.

8:42am • #68
851,625 Points 183 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Ah the fluff we use to describe listings. :) I do think a year old roof is "new" but it's subjective certainly.

8:48am • #69
587,366 Points 106 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I had to giggle at this. One day I noticed a dent in my refrigerator and thought "Oh no, there's a dent in my new refrigerator." Then I stopped to think and realized it was 16 years old! Obviously, this happened quite some years ago - refrigerators don't last 16 years any more.

As for bird watching - we are not "Bird Watchers" but we do enjoy watching the birds in our back yard. Especially the blue jays who come to the window to complain if my husband is late in tossing them some breakfast.

9:23am • #70
570,707 Points 25 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I have been surprised many times when I toured a home with "new" items that were clearly several years old. Another description that is usually way off is "meticulously clean". You can bet that more often than not, the house will be a dirty mess.
10:40am • #71
114,161 Points

Puffing is common in all sales. And sometimes entertaining...

11:08am • #72
248,895 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Too funny, Greg! Some things that I read in listings just crack me up and I have to wonder if the owner made them include it in the property description or if the agent actually thought it was a good idea.

Thanks for the laugh & hope you're having a great weekend!

Gina

1:22pm • #73
1,024,215 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Very funny.  Now if it was a 50 year old home and said new roof (and they meant 2008) I would probably be OK with it.

1:55pm • #74
126,902 Points 1 Featured Post
Love the titl and love the post. I saw a 1960's house listed as remodeled, but was last done in the 80's. Everything was mauve and gray with brass.
4:10pm • #75
808,806 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I have almost passed out when viewing a kitchen, but it was from the smell of boiled vinegar and salted fish that was making me gag.  Had to get out of there very fast.  Buyers did too.

6:06pm • #76
215,324 Points 2 Featured Posts Hit Router Called Shot Master
I love your blog, Many people feel that new is today or yesterday. I guess it's how you see it but you should say what it is and make the client make their decision once that take a look at it. Thanks for making me laugh.
6:21pm • #77
JUN
10
498,855 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Greg, Thanks for the Sunday morning chuckle while having coffee and listening to the birds!  lol

6:06am • #78
JUN
11
423,360 Points 16 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Thanks for the entertainment Greg, always a surplus of exaggeration in any kind of sales, and of course sellers just want to make sure that their accomplishments are noticed by the buyers, even if they are older that they remember them.

12:00am • #79
861,517 Points 174 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Had to get in on this post!  I've seen some crazy descriptions by agents who felt "new" was anything installed in the last 5 years.  I'm with you, new is new - unused.  Anything that has been used at all is, to me, not new.

9:00am • #80
JUN
12

we have a couple agents in hamilton, ontario whose lsiting comments i always follow, one agent obviously reads way too many harlequin romances, same description applies to  tear down or mansion, and they all have "sweeping staircase, enchanted gardens" etc.

i mean, the buyers must want to kick her in the knee caps when they pull up to a little shoe box in need to a total reno.

4:41am • #81
548,416 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Greg:

I am an avid birdwatcher.  I wouldn't use that kind of statement about a room and its view.  However, if the land had a pond or other are where one could see lots of great birds, I would include that in my description of the property.

10:12am • #82

We had great fun reading ads from one of our local agencies one year when they apparently hired an English major (with a concentration in creative writing).  One ad boasted of the soaring ceiling..........as if it was taking off in flight - not necessarily what I'm looking for in a ceiling.  Another ad claimed a house witha covered dining area.  Interesting............I wonder if that was an umbrella table.  Thank you for the post - as always, fun to read!

12:15pm • #83

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Greg Nino Houston Texas

Houston, TX

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RE/MAX West Houston Professionals

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