Real Estate Ads

When you’re in the market for a house, one of the first things you’re likely to do is read the real estate ads. It’s only logical, of course, to do this, but before you dive into the classified section, it’s important to know what you’re reading.

Every profession has it’s writing tricks and jargon, and real estate is no different. The real estate ads in any newspaper will always follow certain rules.

The simplest rule to remember is that, if the ad sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Along the same lines, you should try to avoid any real estate ad that is too emphatic; if the ad is using exclamation points or a lot of adjectives like “great,” “super,” or “fantastic,” it’s a good bet that the seller is trying to spruce up a lemon. Also avoid ads that say “great neighborhood” or “cute yard;” if they are not talking about the house, there is probably a reason.

Phrases like “just remodeled” or “just painted” are more difficult to interpret. Sometimes the seller tried to make the place nicer for a quicker sale, but sometimes he is trying to put a cosmetic patch over a deeper problem. Always ask for details on any recent work.

So what should you look for in a real estate ad? Specifics. Follow up on the ads that give real details about the house. Information like square footage, appliances (and their ages), number of rooms, and exterior and interior finishes tell you important, verifiable facts that matter in a purchasing decision. These are the real estate ads that deserve closer attention.