Decoder Ring, Free with Purchase
Most professions have they own vocabulary, jargons and euphemisms employed to obfuscate the less desirable. And, real estate, like many sales professions, has its own set of doublespeak terms. Most are well known and are easily deciphered by smart buyers, some aren’t.
The Seattle PI’s Aubrey Cohen recently noted how listing agents are becoming more creative with their marketing remarks as the market changes. The sad thing about the article…there’s truth to it.
Here’s some of my faves from the article:
- Very quiet interior: You can barely hear the freeway with the windows shut.
- Seller has left you to your own imagination: Hasn’t been updated since 1940.
- Turnkey: Just overhauled, complete with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances…and laminate floors.
- Walk to Fremont: Fremont’s 20 blocks away.
- Unique: Remodeled by someone on acid.
The article noted a Canadian university’s study on the impact that words have on selling time and pricing. “Move-In”, “Motivated” and “Beautiful” apparently incite buyers to make offers sooner and at a premium.
Hmm, “motivated” doesn’t quite seem to equate to higher prices or faster selling times in Seattle. If anything, it’s a beacon to buyers that the seller is desperate and the listing is stale.
My personal pet peeve is the ever expanding neighborhoods that listing agents create. Somehow Maple Leaf, Northgate and the Oak Tree area have been annexed to Green Lake. And, apparently, Ballard now extends to the Shoreline border. Then, again, Bainbridge condos were once transplanted to downtown Seattle.