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Right words can make the difference in home sale

March 8, 2011 - Sellers in today's buyer's market need every tool they can to market their homes, though a new report says simply choosing the right terminology on their property listing can help sellers kick their moving plans into gear.

According to a study by researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, certain terms can result in higher listing and selling prices for homes. Analyzing 20,000 home sales between 1997 and 2000, the study showed that those that used the word "beautiful" sold for an average 5 percent more, while those that described "landscaping" sold for 6 percent more. Comparatively, the terms "move-in condition" and "must-see" did not have a significant effect on final selling prices, while words like "starter home," "handyman special," and "vacant" could actually result in lower selling prices.

Interestingly, using the term "beautiful" helped homes sell an average 15 percent quicker, while "motivated" kept the home on the market an average 30 percent longer, suggesting the latter term has actually lost some of its meaning in a market where sellers are looking to pack their moving boxes quickly.

Sellers can also accelerate their relocation plans by posting attractive, professional-quality photographs on their real estate listing, according to a report last year in the Wall Street Journal.
 

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