I am always interested in the language that realtors use in advertising their listings – Descriptions and promises that borderline on flat out lies. Or on a more gracious note, it’s just fun to read between the lines:
- “Cozy Cottage” = Small House
- “Old World Charm” = Be prepared to install dishwasher, garbage disposal, HVAC, new sewer line, etc.
- “Needs TLC” = Fixer
- “Investor’s Dream” = Make low ball offer
- “Located in up and coming area” = Unsafe
- “Quaint” = Desperately in need of updating
- “Motivated Seller” = Desperate, make low ball offer
- “Cinderella waiting to be asked to dance” (yes, I really saw this one!) = Major issues
Here’s a list of words to avoid for legal reasons – words that have disputed meanings or may be considered discriminatory:
- Quiet
- Safe
- Flat lot
- “His and Hers”
- Quality Construction
- Room to expand
- Good investment
- Built to code
- Ready for pool
- Near church, temple, etc.
It sort of reminds me of the warning labels on hairdryers, “Do not use while taking a bath.” It only takes one person to litigate over lack of common sense, and we are all flooded with an insane amount of disclosure paperwork and acute term-qualification.
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