So you’ve bought a fixer-upper at auction, remodeled it and are ready to flip it. A detailed property description is usually the first interaction a potential buyer has with your investment property. Whether they read it on a digital platform like Hubzu or on a flyer, the text should be informative and persuasive. The ultimate goal of the description should be to encourage the potential buyer to take the next step and tour the home. When you decide to write up a description of your property, keep these tips and tricks in mind.
What to Include in Your Write-Up
Ask yourself, what makes your property unique and what features are worth mentioning. Try starting your description highlighting these features clearly and in a way that grabs the reader’s attention. If you’ve remodeled the home, mention the updates you’ve made and any amenities a prospective buyer would find interesting.
When you start writing, don’t leave out these details:
● Explain the home’s location and proximity to amenities – Some buyers won’t be familiar with the area, so highlight how close the schools, shopping centers and entertainment options are to the home. Also point out if the property overlooks any significant landmarks such as a state park.
● Describe the interior rooms – Buyers want to know about the space and features. Highlight the amount of square footage, types of flooring, wall coverings and special built-ins, such as bookcases or light fixtures. The kitchen is one of the most important rooms of any home. Make sure you provide enough information to give the potential buyer a clear verbal picture of the space.
● Talk about the outdoor space (if you have it) – Is the lawn spacious or professionally landscaped? Is there a pool, deck or balcony? Listing these outdoor features can help your property stand out so be sure to include these details in the description.
How to Attract Buyers With Words
The words you use in your description should be enticing, and they should help potential buyers envision themselves living in the home. Describe the features that make the property different from other listings. For example, rather than saying “This property features a spacious 200-square-foot kitchen with an island and breakfast nook, and all appliances are included,” say “The spacious 200-square-foot kitchen features a breakfast nook overlooking the backyard vegetable garden, an island with a built-in grill for when it’s too chilly to cook outside and all appliances. Avid cooks will adore the brand-new convection oven and six-burner cooktop.” If a home has a large kitchen, highlighting some of its amazing features will go a long way. Chances are that potential buyers already enjoy spending time in the kitchen, and this space might be a pivotal selling point.
What to Avoid
The Fair Housing Act makes it “unlawful to discriminate in the sale, rental and financing of housing, and in the provision of brokerage and appraisal services because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.” When crafting a property description, pay careful attention to describing factual features of the property and neighborhood, rather than who might like to live there or what they may enjoy doing.
By making your property description persuasive, descriptive and comprehensive, your words may attract potential buyers. If this is your first time looking to buy a property at auction to fix-and-flip, start your search by visiting Hubzu.com and clicking “Buy a Home.”
Want to know which are the top 25 markets for REO fix-and-flips? Click here.
