4 Tips For A Better Real Estate Listing

Posted on: 16 July 2020

You could be selling the most beautiful, immaculate home in the country, but if the listing is poor quality, you're not going to have a lot of interested buyers. To sell a home effectively, you really need a good listing. But how do you go about crafting that perfect piece of descriptive prose? Start with these tips.

1. Make sure your first sentence describes what sets the home apart.

Too often, sellers create a vague first sentence because they figure at this point, they are just introducing the home and that interested buyers will go on to read more. But in the age of the internet, it is so easy to lose readers' attention. If your first sentence does not absolutely grab readers and make them interested in the home, then it doesn't matter very much what the rest of the listing says; most of your readers won't get that far. Examples of a good first sentence would be:

  • Come see this recently updated 4-bedroom Colonial with brand new carpet and easy access to Route 216!
  • This traditional Cape Cod has stunning hardwood floors and a spacious, fenced-in yard.
  • Settle in to this Craftsman Bungalow with a heated pool and a fully finished basement.

2. Let the photos speak for themselves.

You can only include so much text, so use it to describe what cannot be seen easily from the photos. This is why it is a good idea to wait to write your listing until you get the photos back from the photographer. If you skim through the photos and notice that you can barely see the hardwood floor in the dining room, then that is something to mention in the listing. If you can clearly see all the shelving in the hallway closet, then that's something you don't need to also describe in words.

3. Be specific.

If you can tell readers more simply by using more descriptive words, then do so! For example, instead of saying "kitchen has updated cabinets" you could say "new oak cabinets in kitchen." Instead of saying "large yard" say "1-acre yard." These details will help set your listing apart and ensure readers know what to expect when they come see the home in person.

4. Check for repeats.

After you write the listing description, read back through it and make sure it does not repeat any information. For example, if your headline is "3-bedroom Cape Code near Blue River" your first line should not start "This 3-bedroom Cape Cod..." Repeats are waste of space. Delete them so you can add more detail.

The tips above will help you craft a better real estate for sale listing, which should help you find a buyer. Good luck!

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