Home sales are red hot in many areas in 2018, with inventory of homes for sale low and buyers feeling confident about their jobs.
In many neighborhoods, homes are selling in just a few days -- often with multiple offers from buyers.
But in other areas, such as older neighborhoods filled with out-of-date homes, or areas with too many new subdivisions, homes can still sit on the market for several months.
That's where how you present the home can make a real difference.
The Wall Street Journal says the words in your ad can mean the difference between a quick sale and a long summer and fall.
The best terms to sell a home fast:
- "Move-in condition:" the Wall Street Journal says those homes sell 12 percent faster.
- "Great starter home," which implies affordable. Many people are looking for a starter home.
- "3-car garage." Enough said. Buyers, especially men, love three-car garages.
- "Gourmet kitchen" and "granite countertops" also move homes quickly: Just don't call an average kitchen a gourmet one, or the buyers will think you are lying about a lot of things.
But from the "doesn't that stink?" file, other words hurt your home's chances of selling.
The Wall Street Journal says "motivated seller" is not a good term: It hints at problems with the home or the seller.
"Cute" and "charming" imply tiny rooms.
Also bad: "needs some TLC," which suggests the place looks like a Halloween haunted house. If it states that, there's a good chance it needs a lot of TLC, not just "some."
Finally, timing is just as important as how your ad is worded.
Most home sales take place between April and July, though Realtors say if you don't want a lot of competition, put it on the market during the holiday season, especially if it is in move-in condition.
That way it sells quicker, and you don't waste your money.
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