The right phrasing in real-estate listings can speed a sale and even boost the final price, a Canadian study says. And here’s a tip: If you must sell, don’t put “must sell” in your ad. -By Marilyn Lewis, MSN Real Estate
Listings with the words “beautiful” or “gorgeous” sold 15% faster. “Landscaping” in a listing hastened a sale by 20%. Describing a property as in “move-in condition” quickened the sale by 12%. Calling a home a “handyman special” cut sale time by half (researchers excluded listings that used the term to describe a workshop or hobby area).
Other familiar jargon, such as “must see” or “vacant,” or including the information that a seller was moving, had virtually no effect on the time before a sale.
The kiss of death appears to be language that reeks of desperation — words such as “motivated” and “must sell.” These slowed sales by 30%. The term “ranch” house slowed sales by 10%. Properties described as rentals (income-producing) took 60% longer to sell.
If you’d like to know more about how to get your home sold in this market, call or email Becky Wyatt 480-383-9209 or Becky@BeckyWyattOnline.com. No pressure or obligation – let’s simply examine your options as a seller. See the “Selling a Home” section at the top of this Blog for more info.
