Real estate ads, like all other ads for products or services, can be misleading. Unfortunately, some real estate agents resort to “tricky” wording, for lack of a better term, to attract potential buyers to a particular home or property. What are these words or phrases you should be aware of when searching for the perfect home for your family? We’ll try to enlighten you below.
Custom. Really? You can get a custom home for a song? Whether you see such wording as “one of a kind,” “unique,” or even “interesting” in a real estate ad, proceed with caution. While it may be perfect, custom typically indicates the owner has made changes adapted to his/her own taste preferences. Find out whether the adaptation is desirable, or something that’s just an inconvenience or odd for other people.
Another word for small? Cozy. Sure, you envision a family room that’s warm and comfortable – but if you’re not in the market for a small room, this word should be a red flag! Other similar words include “intimate” or “efficient.”
Charming. Yes, this is a word all of us in the real estate industry are guilty of using, but what else can it mean? It can mean that the home is older. When you see descriptions including “adorable” or “quaint,” it usually means the home is older, or small.
Secluded. Sounds seductive, doesn’t it? Many of us would love to live where we can go outside in privacy, but secluded sometimes really means “way out,” such as so far that you’d have to drive 30 minutes to get to the grocery store. Other terms to look for include “rural,” “private,” or “retreat.”
Other terms you should be wary of in real estate ads include “fixer upper,” “handyman’s delight,” and “needs TLC.” In most cases, these homes need major (and costly) renovation.
It’s natural in every industry for companies to want their products to look their very best in advertising, but you have to come down to reality at some point. Just know that ads often sound much more enticing than the real thing, and work with a Dallas real estate agent who will be straight up with you when you’re in the market for a new home.