15 Words That Could Add Value to Your Listing

Have you ever wondered why some homes sell for a premium? Of course timing has much to do with it, but did you know that your own words have a huge impact on the value others place on your home? According to “Zillow Talk: The New Rules of Real Estate”an analysis was done of 24,000 home sales and the following are some key words to get the most for your home.

1. Luxurious

Lower-priced homes with the word “luxurious” sold for 8.2 percent more on average than expected. “Luxurious” signals that a home’s finishes and amenities are high-end. This is a huge selling point, particularly in a lower price range.

2. Captivating

Top-tier listings described as “captivating” sold for 6.5 percent more on average than expected. Unlike the word “nice,” “captivating” provides a richer, more enticing description for buyers. Plus, it’s less open to interpretation. Anything can be seen as “nice,” but “captivating” sets a high bar.

3. Impeccable

On average, homes in the bottom tier with the word “impeccable” sold for 5.9 percent more than expected. "Impeccable" implies something about the quality of a home: The features are desirable and the home is move-in ready.

4. Stainless

Stainless” is typically used to describe kitchens with “stainless steel appliances.” It’s in your favor to talk up these features in your home — especially if your home is in the bottom price tier. In Zillow's analysis, lower-priced homes with the word “stainless” sold for 5 percent more on average than expected.

5. Basketball

Lower-priced homes with the word “basketball” sold for 4.5 percent more than expected, on average. This may seem like an odd word to include in this list, but when you consider the context it makes sense. Among lower-priced homes, a basketball court — or even better, an indoor basketball court — is a huge selling point. While it may not stand out as much among higher-priced homes, it’s definitely worth mentioning in this price range.

6. Landscaped

It’s just as valuable to describe your yard as your house. In all price tiers, homes with the word “landscaped” sold for more than expected on average. The biggest premium was seen among lower-priced homes, which on average sold for 4.2 percent more than expected.

7. Granite

In the same vein as “stainless,” “granite” is typically used to describe countertops or another high-end home feature. Homes with the word “granite” sold, on average, for 1 to 4 percent more than expected across all price tiers.

8. Pergola

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 home stand out, especially if buyers are searching for homes online by keyword. Mid-priced homes with the word “pergola” sold for 4 percent more on average than expected.

9. Remodel

Was your home recently remodeled? It may be worth mentioning. On average, bottom-tier homes with the word “remodel” sold for 2.9 percent more, middle-tier homes for 1.8 percent more and top-tier homes for 1.7 percent more than expected.

10. Beautiful

While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, a beautiful feature like a view may be worth noting. Lower-priced homes with the word “beautiful” sold for 2.3 percent more on average than expected.

11. Gentle

“Gentle” may seem like a weird adjective to have in a listing description. It’s typically used to describe “gentle rolling hills” or something about a home’s location. Top-tier homes with the word “gentle” sold for 2.3 percent more, on average, than expected.

12. Spotless

You may think all homes are spotless when a buyer moves in, so it’s not worth mentioning in a listing. But when it comes to lower-priced homes, cleanliness isn’t always a given. In this price range, listings described as “spotless” sold for 2 percent more on average than expected.

13. Tile

Much like “stainless” and “granite,” “tile” is a great word when it comes to describing the features of your home. A newly tiled backsplash or updated bathroom tile not only indicates a home’s aesthetic value but also sends a message to buyers that the home’s been well cared for by the current owners. Bottom-tier homes with the word “tile” in the listing sold for 2 percent more on average than expected.

14. Upgraded

On average, lower-priced listings with the word “upgraded” sold for 1.8 percent more than expected. Upgrades indicate a home not only looks nice but also functions well. A good approach is to let buyers know which features have been uped so they have the right expectations when they see your home.

15. Updated

“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. Be sure to communicate this to potential buyers.Mid-priced homes with “updated” in the listing sold for 0.8 percent more on average than expected.

Source: www.zillow.com