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Keep your opinion to yourself when writing listing descriptions!

Reblogger
Industry Observer with Retired

"Don't take a chance that your description will be misinterpreted."

California real estate professional and ActiveRain blogger Kathy Schowe provides some excellent advice for listing agents as they write descriptions for their listings. 

 

Lily, Kentlands, Spring Flowers IMG_1607

 

Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

 

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Original content by Kathy Schowe DRE# 1780607

Keep your opinion to yourself when writing listing descriptions!   la quinta fabulous


Congratulations on your new listing!

Now it's time to write up that description and put it in the MLS.  You have seen the house, and you have good and bad feelings about it.  You have your opinions about the "amazing"  kitchen and materials used.  You may love the small "cozy" living room.  You may think the views are "fabulous!"   But when writing up your description... keep your opinions to yourself! 

Sweeping adjectives like “fantastic”, “spacious”, and “charming” are subjective and buyers aren’t looking for opinions, they’re looking for facts.

Don’t tell them the home is fabulous, show them that it’s fabulous by revealing it’s best features. Showcasing specifics using descriptive, straightforward terms like "Stone Fireplace",  Inlaid Marble,” “Granite,” “Spiral Staircase,” “Gourmet Kitchen with New Viking Appliances,  “Solid Bamboo Flooring” , "Fairway View",  will get you the most bang for your buck.

Vague terms may also be misinterpreted as a cover up. In a recent article about the secret language of listings, Real Estate and Lifestyle expert, Michael Corbett, offered the following reality check translation guide:

  • Charming = Small
  • Cozy = Even smaller


  • Needs TLC = Needs a remodel
  • Steps from pool = Can be seen as "discriminatory against handicapped "
  • Partial view = If you are standing on the roof, or you lean out the second-floor window
  • Handyman’s special = That’s a three-to-four-hammer job. You’ll be hunting down contractors for help with this one.


  • Up-and-coming neighborhood = Paint your fence with antigraffiti spray.
  • As is = There is something very wrong that the seller doesn’t want to fix.
  • Diamond in the rough = No jewel here—way too much work.


Don't take a chance that your description will be misinterpreted. 

Stick with the facts and you’ll generate legitimate interest and prevent wasted showings on buyers who don’t share your idea of an “amazing” kitchen.

     If you are looking for a great real estate agent in the Palm Springs area... let me  one for you!

                                                        

Kathy Schowe   760.333.8886  

Intero Real Estate Services in Old Town La Quinta          

 SchoweProperties.com☼ KathySchowe.comLivetheDesertlife.com                                               

        

                                                      

Posted by

Roy Kelley, Retired, Former Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Gaithersburg, Maryland  

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