Special offer

Choosing Your Words Wisely

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage 335893

A study by the University of Guelph in Ontario analyzed the wording of more than 20,000 Canadian home listings and found that a listing's phrasing can influence a home's sale price as well as the length of time it took for the home to sell. For example, when the listing's ad incorporated words like "beautiful" - rather than "move-in condition" - the sale price was influenced by 5 percent or more, as much as $15,000 on a $300,000 house. Other words that reflected "curb appeal" or the attractiveness of the home, such as good neighborhood or excellent upkeep, also were found to help the property sell faster than homes that were described as "value" and "price," the study found. "There's usually something that can be said in a positive way which will force a buyer reading an ad to see opportunities," says Catherine Lindstadt, a licensed associate broker at Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate. "It's important to help a seller elaborate on their home's assets with details and to give the buyer a visual." Instead of saying "spacious," she prefers key words such as "open floor plan," "vaulted," or "high ceilings." A University of Texas at San Antonio study found in analyzing agents' comments left on the Multiple Listing Service that comments that state facts about a home also are associated with increased selling prices. "Buyers are attracted to amenities that can be verified-new roof, new carpeting, updated kitchen, beautiful landscaping, golf course community, lakefront, waterfront, gated community," says Marie Montchal, a licensed associate broker and senior vice president of relocation and ancillary services at Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty Relocation Center. But beware of the word "new," she says. "I know that ‘new kitchen,' ‘new bath,' ‘new roof' and ‘new windows' is inviting, but I have a guideline of two to three years, or ‘newer' if it's older than that," she says.


Search For Properties Like The Agents Do! Find Your Ideal Home With Our Free MLS Search Engine! Every Active Listing On The MLS In REAL TIME! Waste No More Time With Listings Which Are Under Contract Or Sold! Germantown Clarksburg Darnestown & More! ~ MD ~ DC ~ VA ~ WV ~ VA ~ DE ~ This is the way to shop for properties! Narrow your search by entering exactly the features you're looking for! We Can Also Put You On Our Automated MLS Search Which Will E-Mail You When Properties Matching Your Criteria Enter The System On Day Zero On The Market! No Cost Or Obligation! Never Miss Out On That Perfect Property Again!

Click Here For Free MLS Access... HomesByRobandJeannie.com

Rob & Jeannie Steward ~ Weichert, Realtors ~ 20400 Observation Dr, Ste 200 ~ Germantown, Maryland 20876 ~ Direct: (301) 213-7351 ~ Office: (301) 540-1330 x180 ~ Fax: (301) 601-0250 ~ E-Mail: Rob.Jeannie@gmail.com ~ www.HomesByRobandJeannie.com ~ We Work Twice As Hard For You!

Posted by

Comments (3)

Tamara Schuster
Naperville Glen Ellyn Lisle Plainfield Wheaton Illinois - Naperville, IL
Realtor Broker - Naperville

Thanks for the tips  will check out this further and see if they make a difference in my marketing material.

Mar 24, 2011 06:05 AM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Rob & Jeannie, I love studies like this because I am always trying to improve my wording on our listings. As a rule here in Florida, if something isn't "new" like put in last week and has been used, we are advised to say "newer." Sometimes it seems a bit ridiculous, especially in the case of a roof that lasts for many years, but it is not misleading the public to think it was put in last week if it was put in last year. Often we will put the year in (2010) parentheses to show how new it is. Love this post!

Sharon

Mar 24, 2011 06:06 AM
Robin Dampier REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker King - Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville & Western NC Real Estate Source

This type of info is interesting and always helpful.  I seem to get in a rut when writing ads.  I think newer w/year as Frank & Sharon mentioned is safe wording to not mislead.  Thanks for sharing.

Sue of Robin and Sue

Mar 24, 2011 06:46 AM