Words that will sell your home faster

There's good news about home sales this fall. Sales are starting to rebound, and prices are moving up in most markets, after a five-year fall.

But if you're thinking of putting your house on the market after the new year, you may want to know some secret words to make it sell faster.

Words that make homes move fast

The Wall Street Journal says the words in your ad can mean the difference between a quick sale and a long winter.

The best terms to sell a home fast:

    -"Move-in condition:" the Journal says those homes sell 12 percent faster.

     -"Great starter home," which implies affordable. Many people are looking for a starter home.

    -"Three-car garage." Enough said. Buyers, especially men, love three-car garages.

    -"Gourmet kitchen" and "granite countertops" also moves 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.

Words that can kill a sale

But from the "doesn't that stink?" file, words that 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.
    
As always, don't waste your money.
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