10 Real Estate Descriptions That Tell You Something Is SERIOUSLY Wrong With the House
If you’re in the homebuying market, you’ve probably come to realize that the grass is, well, always greener in the listing description. This is both literally and figuratively true. Real estate agents sometimes get liberal with Photoshop edits on listing photos, brightening up the grass as well as editing out unsightly objects like a neighbor’s clunker car or wires cluttering a bedroom. They also use some descriptive language that can be deceptive. Adjectives like cozy and charming may evoke good feelings, but they’re high on our list of frequently used adjectives that probably don’t mean what you think they do.
Photos and descriptions give you a teaser, but nothing beats an in-person tour for catching any potential sneaky details, real estate expert Yawar Charlie, director of the luxury estates division at Aaron Kirman Group, Christie’s International, in Southern California, says.
These 10 common words or phrases often found in real estate listings should raise red flags, according to real estate pros.
“Charming”
Or, similarly, unique. “Often, this means the property has some quirks that might not appeal to everyone,” Charlie says. “It could be anything from a funky floor plan to unconventional finishes.” His tip: Think about resale value and whether any of these quirks might be be a dealbreaker for future buyers.
“Cozy”
Cozy is most likely a code word for lacking square footage, Charlie says. “When they call it cozy, they’re hinting that it might be a bit cramped,” he says. “Check for square footage and layout specifics.”
“Home Being Sold As Is”
As is is maybe one of the biggest red flags in real estate. “It often signals that the property may have significant issues the seller is trying to offload,” Nikki Bernstein, a global real estate advisor with Engel & Völkers Scottsdale in Arizona, says.
The seller, she says, is likely emotionally detached and unwilling to negotiate on price or concessions. It also suggests the seller may be withholding information, indicating there could be hidden problems waiting to be uncovered during inspection, she says.
“As is might as well be a warning: ‘Buyer beware,’” Bernstein says.
There is an exception, though: It could be an estate sale.
“Fixer Upper”
If you’ve got a design-build background or are looking for homes that are worth renovating, a property advertised as a fixer upper might make for a fun challenge. But this phrase means the property has seen better days and needs some TLC, Charlie says. His advice: Bring a contractor or a handyman to the home inspection. “You’re not just checking for cosmetic issues; you want to get the lowdown on structural problems, electrical updates, and plumbing repairs,” Charlie says. “A fixer-upper can quickly turn into a money pit.”
Also, if you’re going this route, make sure you’ve got the right loan, Virginia Realtor and real estate broker Michelle Brown cautions. For example, a FHA 203K loan lets buyers roll home improvement costs into their mortgage.
“Investors’ Dream”
This phrase typically signals the property is in poor condition but priced low for potential profit through renovations or redevelopment, Brown says. This is another instance where you’ll want to have a contractor with you to get a full picture of all the repairs that will be needed.
“Make This Home Your Own”
This phrase signals the home is likely outdated and in need of cosmetic updates at the very least, New Jersey Realtor Larry Devardo says. Listings that advertise “potential” or say “home has endless possibilities” are also indicators that repairs and updates are needed, he says.
“Great Bones”
On the upside, “great bones” means the home is structurally sound with strong infrastructure, Maryland Realtor Ellie Hitts says. On the downside, it likely needs a lot of cosmetic updates.
“Needs TLC”
Often, in the listing description, when a home requires cosmetic work, “TLC” is noted indicating some tender loving care, agent Karen Kostiw of Coldwell Banker Warburg says. You may be thinking of new carpet, updated cabinets, and a few other touch-ups. But in some cases, TLC could actually mean the property requires a gut renovation, Kostiw says.
“Motivated Seller”
The seller is eager to sell, possibly due to financial issues, a pending foreclosure, or a property that has been on the market for a while, Jeffrey Borham, owner of Tampa Bay, Florida Team Borham brokered by EXP Realty, says.
“This could be an opportunity for negotiation,” Borham says. “However, investigate why the seller is motivated—there could be hidden issues that have deterred other buyers.”
Similarly, “priced to sell” could mean a whole host of things, ranging from the property needs some work or the seller wants to start a bidding war, New York City Broker Sean Adu-Gyamfi of Coldwell Banker Warburg says.
“Hot Listing”
Some agents advertise “hot listings” on the MLS to create urgency, even if there are no other offers, Misty Spittler, a licensed public insurance adjuster and certified roof inspector, says. Don’t feel pressured, though, she adds. She recently had a client bid $20,000 over asking on a listing advertised as hot. Spittler’s inspection found $30,000 of necessary repairs, so the client was able to renegotiate.
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