Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Kentucky

Be careful how your home listing is worded. Some traditional real estate terms aren't as effective as you'd think.

Local Companies

Corporex Companies Inc.
(859) 292-5500
100 River Center Boulevard
Covington, KY
IDI
(859) 663-2880
100 East RiverCenter Boulevard
Covington, KY
Wetherby Homes
(502) 558-5283
1230 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy
Louisville, KY
The Investment Circle
888-6714422
815 West MMarket
Louisville, KY
Murphy Realty Group LLC
859-432-0403
4681 Levee Rd
Mt. Sterling, KY
Louisville Homes For Sale
502-992-4118
10525 Timberwood Circle #100
Louisville, KY
Murphy Realty Group
859-432-0403
124 N. Maysville St.
Mt. Sterling, KY
Murphy Realty Group LLC
859-432-0403
124 N. Maysville St
Mt. Sterling, KY
Home Realty GMAC
270-315-5354
3224 Frederica Street
Owensboro, KY
Home Realty GMAC
270-315-5354
3424 Frederica Street
Owensboro, KY

 

provided by: 

Some real estate listing terms have been in use for so long they’re practically clichés: “Must-see!” “Handyman’s special!” “Motivated seller!” But recent research has found that many of these familiar phrases aren’t as effective in selling your home as you might expect. Some can even negatively impact your final sale price and cause your home to linger on the market. Before you list your home, find out which words work and which ones hurt.

Motivation = desperation
Logically, you’d expect terms like “motivated seller” and “must sell” -- phrases that imply a willingness to negotiate on price -- would help move a home faster. But according to a recent study by Paul Anglin, a real estate economist at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, these words have the opposite effect.

Anglin’s research found that “must sell” homes sold 30 percent slower than others, and terms such as “good value” typically resulted in sales five percent lower than average. Emphasizing the price point or the seller’s willingness to unload the home implies that the seller initially overvalued it or that there’s something wrong with the house. Palpable desperation in a listing is also a definite turn-off, so keep the exclamation points to a minimum.

“New” and “clean” aren’t enough
Other words that can have a negative influence on a listing’s effectiveness are terms that mention the cleanliness of the house or basic improvements such as “new paint” or “new carpet” as primary selling points. These simple statements convey a sense that the home is unremarkable. If a new paint job is the most exciting aspect of your home, don’t expect buyers to be lining up around the block to see it.

Stress distinguishing features
Terms that catch the eye and distinguish your home from a crowded marketplace are the best ones to lure in buyers. Anglin’s study found that homes described as “beautiful” tended to move 15 percent faster and sell at five percent more than usual.

Words that convey curb appeal and a sense of value beyond sale price are also excellent motivators. Listings including the word “landscaping” tended to sell up to 20 percent faster, with “granite” and “maple” also scoring big with buyers. Keywords that play up a property’s nearby features, like “golf course” or “lake,” also work well because they situate the home in its real-world environment, as opposed to just some house on an anonymous street.

Think like a buyer
When writing your listing, keep in mind that you’re not selling a house, you’re selling a home. Most buyers are looking for a home that feels special, attractive and immediately livable. Phrases like “move-in condition” and “turnkey” communicate that your house can be moved into with minimal fuss and can speed up sales time by 12 percent.

With a little creativity, you can make just about any home sound special. Don’t just say your home is a “must see,” prove it. What’s more evocative: A “quiet backyard” or a “garden sanctuary?” A “basement rec room” or a “lower-level entertainment room?” Creative language both describes your home’s best features and gives potential buyers room to dream.

Know your market
If your home has some significant drawbacks, it’s best to come clean with them up front. That way you can tailor your listing to attract the specific type of buyer who is likely to be looking for your kind of property. Being honest about the fact that your home has a few flaws may appeal to someone who is willing to put some work into a place and is looking for a bargain. Anglin found the phrase “handyman’s special” cut selling time by 50 percent. However, you wouldn’t want to use it unless your home really was one. It also reduced the selling price by 30 percent.

In all cases, it’s important to note that Anglin’s percentages were just averages and there were wide variations within categories. When selling your home, honesty is always the best policy. Never use deceptive wording in your listing -- as soon as potential buyers drop by and see your home for what it really is, they’ll suspect a scam. And while proper word choice and creative language are a definite plus, remember that the ultimate determining factor in almost all home sales is the asking price. Not even a listing worthy of Mark Twain is likely to sell an overpriced home.

 

Published on April 19, 2007

Read full article at realestate.com

Featured Local Company

Corporex Companies Inc.

(859) 292-5500
100 River Center Boulevard
Covington, KY

Regional Articles
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Ashland KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Bardstown KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Bowling Green KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Campbellsville KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Corbin KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Covington KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Crestwood KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Cynthiana KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Elizabethtown KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Erlanger KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Florence KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Fort Campbell KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Fort Thomas KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Frankfort KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Ft Mitchell KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Georgetown KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Glasgow KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Harrodsburg KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Hazard KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Henderson KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Hopkinsville KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Latonia KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Leitchfield KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Lexington KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) London KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Louisville KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Madisonville KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Mayfield KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Morehead KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Mount Sterling KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Murray KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Newport KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Nicholasville KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Owensboro KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Paducah KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Pikeville KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Radcliff KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Richmond KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Scottsville KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Shepherdsville KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Somerset KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Versailles KY
- Home Listing Words That Sell (And Those That Don't) Winchester KY

Rss   Delicious   Digg   Add To My Yahoo   Add To My Google   Bookmark   Search Plugin

Topics:
Advertising Family Home Services Real Estate Resources
Business Services Fashion Industrial Goods & Services Retail & Consumer Services
Career Financial Services Insurance Software
Cars Food & Beverage Internet Technology
Computer Hardware Franchise Legal Telecommunications
Construction Health Miscellaneous Trade Shows
Education Holidays Nightlife Travel
Entertainment Home Appliances Online Database Weddings
Environmental Home Electronics Pets World History