Was there a hidden message in that ad?

Having a good sense of humor is, I think, critical to success in any field. For me, it’s easy to get caught up in the seriousness of Real Estate, especially in today’s rapidly changing market, but occasionally we need to take a step back and see the humor in some of the things we do and say as REALTORS®

Finding new and creative ways to describe essentially the same house with a different color paint can be challenging and we really do try to be creative. However, sometimes we end up resorting to the same old tired but reliable cliches.

Below are a few of the more common phrases that occasionally send mixed messages, some of which are just downright funny.

Needs a little TLC: Tender Loving Care means a lot of things to a lot of people, and in some instances what it should have said was “NOT ready for the bulldozer just yet but be prepared to drain the kid’s college fund bringing it up to code.”

Home Is Being Sold AS IS: Ok, this usually means the seller is not willing to make any repairs but those who read between the lines sometimes see a very different message. For example, “This one IS ready for a bulldozer, but if you are very brave then go for it, who knows maybe you can put Humpty Dumpty back together again.”

Quaint and Cozy: Typically used to convey the home is warm and inviting, not a carbon copy of the one next door, but it could be interpreted as: Weird and Tiny.

Off the Beaten Path: Customarily a way to describe a home in the country but the hidden message might well be “Good Luck Finding It because it’s so far out in the woods even your GPS won’t work.”

One Owner Home: Sometimes a real plus because the original owner has lovingly maintained the home all these years.  But it can also be a way of saying “Looks just like it did when they built it in the 70’s with burnt orange shag carpet and avocado green appliances.”

Must See To Appreciate: This can be used to extoll the quality and craftsmanship of a home that can’t be properly conveyed in a photograph. But sometimes what it’s really saying is “The outside may look like a dump but the inside really isn’t that bad.”

Peek a Boo View of the Lake: Always a dead giveaway as far as I’m concerned and what it really means is “Go to the upstairs front window, stand on your toes, and look between those two trees, of course it’s much easier to see in the winter when there are no leaves on the trees.”

Motivated Seller: Sends a clear message, right? The seller is ready to sell, but I can tell you from experience the hidden message is more like. This house is overpriced and has been on the market way too long, Please bring me an offer so this seller will stop yelling at me…LOL

After this I think it’s a safe bet that you will never read Real Estate ads quite the same, and if they occasionally make you chuckle, rest assured you are not alone. As always if you have questions or comments we would love to hear from you. Give us a call at 817-219-0456.

pamK@knieperteam.com | 817-219-0456