Did you know that when it comes to selling a property, wording could be everything? According to the new book "Zillow Talk: The New Rules of Real Estate," putting certain keywords in your listing could make or break your sale.
"Bottom-tier homes described as luxurious tend to beat their expected sale price by a whopping 8.2 percent. That means, if your home's estimated value is $110,000, but your listing includes the key word 'luxurious,' you could pocket an extra $8,965," write co-authors Spencer Rascoff and Stan Humphries.
Here are our tips on how to write the perfect ad that would guarantee a fast and premium sale:
1. Use keywords.
Aside from "luxurious," Zillow gives out 14 more adjectives that statistically increase a sale's profitability. These include "captivating," "impeccable," "beautiful," "upgraded," and "updated."
"Top-tier listings described as 'captivating' sold for 6.5 percent more on average than expected. Listings in the bottom tier with the word 'impeccable' sold for 5.9 percent more. Lower-priced listings with the word 'beautiful' sold for 2.3 percent more on average," the writers share.
The same can be said for the words "upgraded" and "updated."
"Most buyers will agree that upgrades are a selling point. They indicate a home not only looks nice but also functions well," they add. "'Updated' sends a similar message to 'upgraded.' But in addition to speaking to the quality of a home, it signals that something old has been replaced with something new. This is a great fact to communicate to potential buyers."
2. Play up your home's additions.
If you've recently added a basketball court, landscaped your lawn, or installed a pergola, state this on your listing.
"Not only should you include high-end home features in your listing description, you should also mention features not found in every home. They'll help your listing stand out, especially if buyers are searching for homes online by keyword," the book states.
3. Write a catchy headline.
A headline serves as the initial peek into your home, because this is what potential buyers will first see. What's one word or phrase that would best describe your home? What are its most outstanding features? Sell these in your headline.
About Home suggests using short but descriptive headlines, such as "Stunning Classic," "Magnificent Mediterranean," "Beautiful Bungalow," "Charming Cottage," and "Upscale Urban."
4. Be politically correct.
About Home also reminds sellers to be mindful of terms that could alienate a certain group. You will not only turn away potential buyers, you could also be violating certain terms on the Fair Housing Law.
For example, the home site warns that mentioning "minority community" or "integrated neighborhood" could connote race and color prejudice.
You don't have to be a literature major to write the perfect listing. By using a few word plays, you can sell your home fast--and hopefully, get more money for it.
