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13 Things You Wish You Could Sneak Into Real Estate Listing Descriptions

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Jessica Cates Creative

Be honest – for as many times as you’ve listed the home that practically sells itself, there have also been times when you struggle to think of one nice thing to say about the property. In fact, I bet you’ve had a few days when a supremely sarcastic real estate listing description would do a much better job of explaining how you really feel than a "professional" one ever could.

 

Just for fun, I came up with some semi-offensive, brutally honest real estate listing descriptions. Though you should definitely never, ever use these in real life, hopefully they’ll give you a good laugh – and possibly provoke a trip down memory lane. My coworker threw in a few examples from her prior residence. For added fun, see if you can spot the "true life" one-liners. Hint - there are 4. Here we go…

 

13 Real Estate Listing Description One-Liners You Wish You Could Sneak In (But Really Shouldn’t):

 

  1. Great lakefront property… sorry about the smell.

  2. Beautiful entry level (please don’t go in the basement).

  3. Stainless steel appliances (... that partially block the shelves and cabinets).

  4. Retro-style 70s home. No one actually makes drugs here – it just looks like it.

  5. Urban condo now available for move-in. BONUS - pet roaches come with the house.

  6. Easy-clean carpeting throughout the house (stains will be hard to find thanks to the confetti pattern).

  7. Currently occupied - please ignore questionable tenants (they won't be staying).

  8. New modern-looking electric fireplace (that's not wired and requires $1,000 to get it up and running).

  9. House comes with awkwardly sized bonus room with odd layout. Good luck with that!

  10. Lots of sunny orange hues give the space a bright, happy feel (paint is cheap - you can always paint).

  11. Large mirrors in main bath (don’t mind my reflection in the photo, I tried my best).

  12. Newly renovated kitchen (sellers made me say that, they painted the cupboards).

  13. Unique features throughout the house (...like a purple fridge and glass block wet bar in the family room).

Do you have any others? Did you spot the "true-life" examples? Share in the comments!


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Comments(28)

Angela & Stephen Hardiman / HouseTie.com
HouseTie.com - Spokane, WA
When first impressions count...

Jessica, you have some great ones on that list. Love #12! 

Aug 15, 2015 08:08 AM
Michele Milic
Realty ONE Group ~ 702.419.5359 - Las Vegas, NV

Great post Jessica. My favorite...paint is cheap - you can always paint....and....
sellers made me say that, they painted the cupboards. Thanks for the laugh, have a great weekend.

Aug 15, 2015 08:52 AM
Pat Braithwaite
Braithwaite Realty - Marietta, GA
E-Pro

I loved the Sellers made me say that. 

Aug 15, 2015 09:55 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

"Lake View"    See that tiny blue speck way off in the distance?

Aug 15, 2015 09:59 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Ha Ha thanks for the laugh ... we sell awful photos all the time along with descriptions written by "very creative" agents.

Aug 15, 2015 10:37 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

How About: Yes, there is an old out of date laminate countertop under the massive junk in the photo.

Aug 15, 2015 12:30 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Thanks for the laugh! I'm sure there are lots of great descriptions I could use, just can't think of any at this minute - if something comes to mind, I will be back!

Aug 15, 2015 12:38 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Jessica Schweppe 

Well you are so right on target. Sometimes it IS hard to find something positive, but generally I can find something. What I hate is when agents exaggerate what they see and misrepresent the reality of the property. It doesn't so anyone any good, particularly the seller

Jeff

Aug 15, 2015 03:09 PM
John Mosier
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert - Prescott, AZ
Prescott's Patriot Agent 928 533-8142

Jessica Schweppe -- Thanks for the chuckle. I have a couple to add:

When you make your offer on the getaway cabin, consider the value of the two hot rod ATVs, the shipping container and the $18,000 Brazilian Koa hardwood floors.

By the way, you really don't need a kitchen when you are barbequeing on the deck, after all, you can do your dishes in the sink in the mud-room.

 

 

Aug 15, 2015 03:59 PM
Blatt + Cutino
Coldwell Banker Realty - Monterey, CA
Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*

I am laughing out loud and almost spit my coffee on the screen. #9 is my favorite!

Aug 15, 2015 10:42 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

This business doesn't disappoint...the laughs are there

Aug 15, 2015 11:23 PM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

 "Completely Remodeled Home" (The investors cleaned the carpets and hung two new fans).

Aug 16, 2015 12:47 AM
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

Hey, I love glass block.  Very cute post.  We've all said at least a few of those things, in our minds of course, during our attempt to get rid of a less than perfect property decorated by people with no taste.

Aug 16, 2015 06:19 AM
Michael Blue
Home Smart Realty West - Encinitas, CA
REALTOR - 760-889-8877, Encinitas/Carlsbad

Peaceful relaxing sounds woo you to sleep- leaking running water in the pipes.

Aug 17, 2015 01:11 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Tammy Lankford I had a bank really upset with me because I mentioned the rotting pumpkin on the living room floor and the lawn mower parked by the fireplace, but it sold the house.

Jessica: yes the sellers do make us say things, like I have a guy going on and on about his lifetime warranty on his gutters . . .

Aug 17, 2015 10:27 AM
Maria Gilda Racelis
Home Buyers Realty, LLC-Manchester, Bolton. Vernon,Ellington - Manchester, CT
Home Ownership is w/in Reach. We Make it Happen!

Thanks for the laugh Jessica.

I showed a home once when everything was painted purple. All rooms.. seriously.

I told my buyers that the Ad for this home should be Eggplant lover? This home is for you.

Aug 17, 2015 08:34 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Jessica Schweppe This is definitely a list of doozies! I liked #11, becasue we have seen this finished product more often that  we wish to say due to agents thinking they are pro photographers.

Aug 17, 2015 08:59 PM
Jessica Cates
Jessica Cates Creative - Gilbert, AZ
Real Estate Marketing Expert + Blogger

Thanks all! Glad you enjoyed the post.

Aug 18, 2015 03:26 AM
Dan Dee McGinnis The Pumpkin Man
HomeSmart - Phoenix, AZ
The Pumpkin Man

Jessica

I love humor the only movies I attend, why should I pay for someone to scare me. Thank you it made my day.

Aug 19, 2015 01:01 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Most of these could be true, but I had to chuckle at #12... "the seller made me do it!" My seller wanted me to change the MLS description from "walk-up attic" to unfinished bonus room. The floor was decked and there were studs holding the roof up. And room for storage. I guess it's all in your perception!

Aug 21, 2015 03:45 PM