Every seller’s agent wants to sell their listings for a huge profit, but that is sometimes easier said than done. Sometimes, though, what you say… or what you write… can make it easier to sell a listing faster and for more money! If you write an amazing listing description for a home, it will generate more interest and could sell the home faster and for more money. These days, potential buyers are searching for homes on the internet, where space for words is unlimited and they can explore the home without stepping foot inside it through video walk-throughs, panoramic photographs, and digital floor plans… yet many seller’s agents write three nondescript, dull sentences and wonder why their homes aren't selling. Landmark Home Warranty has found five ways to rewrite your listing descriptions that have proven to sell homes for more money. Here they are:
DON'T WRITE GOOD ... WRITE BETTER
Can you decode this?
3,00SF, 30YO, 3B/2B WITH A WALKING CLOSET. BN HDWD FLRS AND HWTR. NEWLY RENOVATED WON’T LAST.
If you can, you may be able to read and write real estate listing lingo … but unfortunately, most buyers cannot! Incorrect spelling, bad grammar and too many abbreviations are prevalent in listings and can actually cost you money! According to a study published by the Wall Street Journal, listings with full sentences (no abbreviations!) and correct spelling and grammar sold 3 days faster and were 10% more likely to sell over listing price. When potential buyers can't understand what makes a house desirable, they simply won't desire it. So, take out the abbreviations and get someone to edit your listing. You'll get more interest in the home and you could increase your selling price.
If you can’t decode a listing, you may want to read through our blog on how to read listings here, which has a handy common listing abbreviation printable! If you’re wondering what it SHOULD say: “3,000 square feet, 30 years old, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom with a walk-in closet. Brand new hardwood floors and water heater. Newly renovated, won’t last.”
WRITE LONGER LISTING DESCRIPTIONS
The beauty of listing a home on the internet is that the amount of space for photos, videos, maps, and descriptions is fairly endless. That's why it's important to publish detailed descriptions with ample photos and videos. Although it may seem like buyers would get bored with long listing descriptions, real estate experts at Zillow recently disproved that, saying: "We've found that longer listings consistently sell for more. Buyers want to know details, and those extra words can give them additional information about whether a house is worth the trek to see it in person. And, in doing so, they can often increase a home's final sale price."
Why? Potential buyers want details. They want to know if the appliances are stainless steel or if there’s basketball court in the backyard. They're interested in how many bathrooms there are and what kinds of countertops are installed in the kitchen. Keep it to about 50 words, according to a study done by Redfin. So, write descriptively, and you could see a payoff.
USE LANGUAGE THAT SPEAKS TO YOUR BUYER
Before you run off to write your new listing description, make sure to use the right words! Zillow did a study on words in listing descriptions that increased the sales prices of homes on the market. According to Zillow's data, homes with the words "luxurious" in their listing sold for 8.2% more on average than expected, while captivating and impeccable sold for 6.5% and 5.9% more, respectively. On the other hand, including words like “TLC” or “Fixer” can decrease a sell price as they conjure up images of a remodel.
ADD PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
Hiring a professional real estate photographer can really pay off! According to a study by Redfin, using professional photography of the home and property on a listing can increase a home's sale price by $3,400 or more. Make sure to also include panoramic photos and video walkthroughs to help buyers feel like they’re in the home without ever leaving their computer.
INCLUDE A HOME WARRANTY
According to a study published by the Service Contract Industry Council, listings protected with a home warranty sell 11 days faster and for an average of $2,300 more. Most home warranties cost around $400-$600, so adding a home warranty plan for a buyer can be a huge draw that doesn’t cost much! When writing the home’s description, adding that the home is already protected with a home warranty and that the home’s sale comes with a home warranty protection plan can pay off!