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Terrace??? Get it right!

By
Real Estate Agent with LoKation Real Estate

It drives me crazy when agents try to make a listing look better through distorted photos, or exaggerated features.  Don't tell me it's a 2 bedroom when the room is 8x9 and can barely fit a desk and chair!  Let's work together to find our clients what they really want and not waste everyone's time. 

If your property boasts outdoor space, get it right!  For those of you not familiar with New York City construction, a 'terrace' is a set back patio because the building gets skinnier as it is built higher.  Traditional penthouses were built on the rooftops and were surrounded by a 'set back terrace'.  If i have a client who wants a terrace and your listing really has a BALCONY, it drives me mad!  Balconies are built sticking out of a building and usually have one above and below and typically are very small with not much room for even a table and chair.

I actually had an agent tell me once, "if you look through the gym in the building next door, you can see the Hudson River!"  How's that for RIVER VIEWS????

 

Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

Although I don't work in New York, I appreciate this information. Thanks, Amy. It would be a boon to our reputations as realtors if all of us would give accurate information on MLS. Giving our clients the best advice for their situation instead of just trying to make another sale would help too.

Oct 15, 2008 04:14 AM
George Wilson
Raleigh Cary Realty - Raleigh, NC
Raleigh Cary Realty 919 439 0965

Good luck on that!  I definitely agree with you! Many agents exagerate and make flat out untrue claims just to get people to call and want to see it.  If I was prospective buyer and went to see a home for a certain feature and it was blatantly wrong I would not want to work with that agent!!

Oct 15, 2008 04:15 AM
Mike Linkenauger
LinkUp Realty - Jacksonville, FL
Short Sale Realtor - Jacksonville FL

Yeah, we deal with that stuff all day around here in Florida as well, do you have "Florida Rooms" up there, or "Lanai's"????  Just different words for a patio!!

Homes in Orange Park Florida, Orange Park Florida Realtors

Oct 15, 2008 04:16 AM
Carey Pott
January Financial - Foothill Ranch, CA

There are certainly times when a little PR spin becomes simply untrue and inaccurate. If only people realized that when someone comes expecting a terrace and finds a balcony, they're going to be much more disappointed than if they had simply been expecting a balcony.

Oct 15, 2008 04:17 AM
Doris Barnett-214-236-2908 cell/txt
Consultant - Plano, TX
Real Estate Consultant: Ask for your Better Biz

Great post, I didn't know that. Each area of the country has different traditions and I really didn't know why some people call it a terrace and some a patio and some a balcony. My daughter visited NY and came home to call her screened in Patio a terrace. I liked the word but, didn't quite understand why she used it. I am forwarding this link so that she will understand what she was talking about!

My pet peeve is that REALTOR.com can't get the acreage right on listings. We can search acres but, then we may get over 3000 when it's really on a 1/4 acre! Now what's with that? It happens all over the country that way. 

Don't get me started on REALTORS who take photos facing the sun!  It is always in the west in the afternoon! For what we expect to get paid, isn't it worth another trip or at least a question when you set the appointment-by the way which direction does your house face? or what side of the street is your house on? I take pride in my photos and want them to be effective for the marketing of your home. Talk about differentiation! I can tell you for a fact no one else is saying that phrase.

Maybe we both will have some impact today! Good luck with yours!

Oct 15, 2008 04:19 AM
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Agent - Rebecca Skane, Realtor®, e-PRO®
Keller Williams Coastal Realty - Portsmouth, NH

THANK YOU!  That was hilarious.  I recently showed a home which said three bedroom.  It was two.  They were calling the famly room a 3rd bedroom!  I was outraged!  I called the listing agent and let him have it, sort of.  And my broker said many people do it.

Oct 15, 2008 04:43 AM
Associate Broker Falmouth MA Cape Cod Heath Coker
https://teamcoker.robertpaul.com - Falmouth, MA
Heath Coker Berkshire Hathaway HS Robert Paul Prop

They do that here with water views.  "If you step on your tip toes, and lean left and then jump a little, you can see the tops of a wave, maybe, depending on how high you jump."  LOL 

Oct 15, 2008 04:53 AM
Sassy Skelton
Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs - Colorado Springs, CO

I could almost make out a New York accent when reading your post.  Okay, maybe it was poor Fran Dresher accent but tv sterotypes make almost everyone sound like they're from Brooklyn or Queens!  Good post.  Truth in advertising! 

Oct 15, 2008 04:56 AM
Starstate Realty
Starstate Realty - Austin, TX

Hi Amy -  Welcome to ActiveRain. I look forward to networking with you and reading your future post. Have a great day!!!

Jan 17, 2009 03:57 PM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Amy- I couldn't agree more!  When agents exaggerate it makes us all look bad to clients who go to view a property expecting one thing and getting another!

    

Mar 02, 2009 07:18 AM