Experts have revealed the secret language estate agents use to make homes sound better - and what words such as ‘cosy’ and ‘fixer-upper’ really mean. Buying or renting a new home is a big step for a lot of people, and one to take armed with full knowledge of the property that will soon be yours.
But real estate professionals often use certain words that, at best could be described as optimistic, and at worst can be simply misleading.Terry Fisher, of home buying service www.webuyanyhome.com, said: “We’ve all seen property listings that tend to use the same words and phrases to describe certain homes, but they aren’t always totally accurate.
“Often, estate agents tend to use words such as ‘cosy’, ‘bijou’ and ‘convenient’ to describe a home that is probably a bit on the small side. You might see something described as having ‘character’, but this could mean the decor is a bit wacky or the layout is far from conventional.
“A property that is a ‘fixer-upper’ or a ‘blank canvas’ might be good value, especially if you are handy with DIY, but it could well mean that it’s a bit of a wreck and will need a total overhaul. You should also be careful if too much is made in the advert of the property being ‘ideally situated for commuting’, as this might be a red flag for being right beside a major trunk road or motorway that could become a major headache.
“And if the area is referred to as ‘up and coming’, you should definitely do your research rather than take it at face value as it could be a euphemistic way of saying the location is a bit run-down.”
Adverts in estate agency windows or online are often the first glimpse potential buyers or renters get of their future homes. Experts say it is only by visiting the property and learning more about the area that you can be more confident of finding the perfect home.
Mr Fisher added: “Buying or renting a home is a big decision and you need to make sure you are entering into the process with your eyes wide open and armed with all the information you need. You should always learn as much as you can about the area, whether that’s through speaking with friends and family who are familiar with it or by paying it a few visits both during the day and at night.
“While advertisements are useful references to learn more about a certain property, there really is no substitute for booking a viewing and exploring it for yourself.”
We Buy Any Home is the UK’s leading home buying service, with a guarantee to purchase any property, provide a cash offer in minutes and settle funds in just seven days.
