The Truth Behind Real Estate Ads

13.10.2010 | Author: Rockie | Posted in Real Estate

With the costs of homes and interest rates plummeting to record lows, many people are in the market in search of the perfect home to move into. But when it comes to clever marketing tactics, real estate ads are notorious for covering up the true condition of a house or condo.

While the real estate agent may be working in the best interest of their client, it’s definitely a “buyer beware” situation when it comes to certain words in the listing. Learn how to read between the lines of advertisements featuring homes for sale so that you can make an informed decision prior to wasting your time on a “handyman special.”

Don’t let the enticing lingo of real estate adjectives lead you astray on your quest for the home of your dreams. Before you can even get to the point of calling professional movers to schedule a move, you need to wade your way through the murky waters of real estate listings.

Here are a few of the most common tip-offs that the ad you’re looking at is a real estate agent’s creative interpretation of a problem house:

  • Words and phrases like “ideal for one,” “cozy,” and “intimate,” are synonymous for tiny, compact, and small. Homes listed with these words are probably no bigger than your current closet.
  • “Vintage” and “retro” means that the home is old (duh!) and has a lot of outdated features, but there could be a lot of value in the property, after you renovate it, of course.
  • If a home is listed as having “potential,” “needs TLC,” “handyman special,” or “a loving touch goes a long way,” expect to walk into a Money Pit situation. The entire home will have to be fully renovated.
  • A “low maintenance” home probably doesn’t have much of a surrounding yard around it. Not a good choice if you have dogs or children.
  • “Rustic” houses are probably going to need a good paint job. The flooring may also need to be revamped.
  • “Backs to open area” or “no neighbors behind” is a good indicator that the house is on the site of a future development project.

    • The pictures of a real estate ad can also reveal a lot about the home, not by what you can see, but by what is missing. For example:

  • Pictures showcasing the large yard of a home or the state-of-the-art gym on the complex give you an idea that the actual interior of the home itself is in bad shape.
  • If the listing shows various shots of the inside of a house, but nothing on the outside, there probably isn’t much of a yard on the property.
  • Newly renovated homes will have shots of the redone interiors, so if pictures of the bathroom or kitchen are missing, you’ll probably have to invest in getting them remodeled.

    • Now that you know how to read between the lines of the text in a real estate ad as well as the pictures, you can make a better decision on what homes to check out before you buy and get in contact with your local movers.

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