Lies, or positive spin? Are they the same thing?

Apparently, Wednesday was a slow news day, because the front page of that morning's P-I featured a story about the vocabulary that real estate agents use to describe their listings. I couldn't help but feel a bit defensive as I read the story, because the implication is that we, as agents, are being deceitful when we write the advertisements. I suppose it depends upon your point of view.

Is it a lie to describe a small home as cozy? If you were the seller, which word would you rather have me use?

My job is to entice potential buyers in to view your home in order to sell it. I don't believe that lying benefits anyone. Lies don't sell a home. Even gross exaggeration can backfire. Putting a positive spin on potential drawbacks, however, is (in my opinion) different than lying or even exaggerating. No home is perfect, and what one buyer sees as a negative, another may see as a positive.

What are your thoughts about the descriptions you've seen for various homes on the market? What is the most outrageous exaggeration you've ever seen/heard? Any outright lies? If you search for homes online, are you more influenced by photos or words? Are there particular words that turn you off or hook you? Here's you chance to voice your opinions!

An amazing piece of real estate!

Just a few photos from a recent trip up to Victoria, B.C.

Use Open Houses to your advantage

If it seems as if there are "Open House" signs on nearly every street corner these days (especially on Sundays), you aren't imagining things. Although statistics show that the chances of actually selling a house DURING an Open House are quite low -- maybe one in a hundred -- the events still have a great deal of value.

First, an Open House creates buzz. Word-of-mouth advertising can be invaluable. Even if most of the people who come through the home (a large percentage are usually neighbors) aren't really interested in buying it themselves, they may know someone who is. That's why "lookie-loo's" are always welcome at my Open Houses.

Second, it gives "unagented" prospective buyers (you?) a great way to conduct stealth interviews of prospective agents. Of course you want to hire a Realtor who is skilled and knowledgeable, but beyond that, a good personality match will make the home buying process sooooooo much more pleasant for you.

If you'd like to meet me, while remaining incognito, come by my Open House today at 6325 SW 39th St., near Morgan Junction. I'll be there from 1-4PM. For a list of other Open Houses, see the list of links in the column on the right. (For some reason, this software isn't allowing me to add a link here at the moment.)