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What's Wrong With This Ad?

By Margaret Woda

Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

October 07, 2018 10:57 AM

You can't take 45 years of real estate experience out of this girl, even though I'm more or less retired.

I still work with former clients to sell their current homes, receive daily listing updates and scroll through the real estate ads in a free local paper while enjoying a bagel sandwich. This one jumped out at me today, and I'm sure that most Activerainers will see what caught my eye:

WINTER RENTAL - move in TODAY at the xxxxxx apartments. Small Apt. at 57th St. Oceanside View. 2 BR, 1BA, furnished & all util. included. Job required, no pets, no smoking inside, & must be a low key single person who wants the apt by himself or herself so it will be a drama free winter for everyone involved. $700 a month, & sec. dep is $350.

What's wrong with this ad? After decades of writing real estate ads, I have my own ideas of how to attract buyers or renters through print advertising. But I'll refrain from commenting based on that perspective. Here's the phrase that jumped out at me:

"Must be a low key single person who wants the apt by himself or herself..."

It doesn't appear that this ad was posted by a licensed real estate agent, but that does NOT excuse the author from following Federal Fair Housing Laws. A little devil on my shoulder said to cut it out and send it anonymously to the local HUD office, but the little voice on my other shoulder shouted, "BLOG POST TOPIC!"

Many thanks to Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland and others that have continued to comment on some of my old blog posts from months and years ago. I may be tempted to make a comeback to blogging, if not to real estate.

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Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Margaret Woda Delighted to see you in the RAIN. You have so much knowledge about everything... your return to blogging will be a treat. Doesn't matter if you blog about ads or gardening or any of your memories of your 45 years in real estate. There will always be an audience for you.

Oct 07, 2018 01:58 PM

Susan Haughton

Alexandria, VA
Margaret Woda

Crofton, MD

Margaret Woda

That is so sweet. Thank you!

Oct 07, 2018 03:44 PM

And about this post. I sure hope that ad was NOT written by a Real Estate agent. Can one be required to have a job??

This would be perfect for Carol Williams SCS.

Oct 07, 2018 02:01 PM

Margaret Woda

Crofton, MD

I am smiling and looking forward to reading about your next ad or whatever you may be thinking about!

Oct 07, 2018 04:06 PM

AS you can see, I wasn't kidding when I said that you got me thinking "Activerai" and "blogging" - There was another ad that I can't wait to write about, too. LOL. Are you smiling?

Oct 07, 2018 03:47 PM

William Feela

WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN

Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

If this is a real add someone could be in big trouble

Oct 07, 2018 03:18 PM

It's a real ad, right down to the abbreviations and punctuation.

Oct 07, 2018 03:43 PM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Margaret- I'm not an agent but that was the line that caught my eye. Hope you'll be back with more posts!!!!!

Oct 07, 2018 05:51 PM

Hi, Kelly - I remember you from way back... and just look at you with over 3 million points! Congratulations.

Oct 07, 2018 06:53 PM

Susan Haughton

Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA

Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

You have to admit, though, it is entertaining. I particularly like the low key no drama characterization. LOL. Seriously, I guess people not only don’t know what they don’t know but doing a little research is beyond them, too.

Oct 08, 2018 06:56 PM

I can definitely identify with the "drama free" sentiment! I would want the same thing, but I know that it should probably be an unspoken goal rather than to limit occupancy (in print!) for a 2-bedroom apt. to a "single person." LOL.

Oct 10, 2018 04:50 AM

Good morning Margaret Woda Thanks for stopping by today. I would love to see you come back to blogging or join us weekly at the Tuesday Zoom meets. Almost like the old meet-ups.

Nov 21, 2020 07:44 AM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I was looking for your current posts. I hope all is going well for you.

Have an outstanding August.

Aug 12, 2023 11:04 AM

What's Wrong With This Ad?

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