When I search Pasadena homes for sale, I can come across some real doozies. Not just in the actual properties, but in how real estate is listed and sold. Many real estate agent’s will use, fanciful, descriptive and yes, even deceitful information in an attempt to sell their properties which are listed for sale. With so many houses available today, agents are looking for that unique phrase that will catch people’s attention, become memorable and hopefully create an interest where a potential buyer will want to take a look at the house that is for sale. Puffing is a term used to describe an exaggerated listing usually indicating the description of a property is much, much nicer that the property itself. Yesterday, I came across the blue ribbon winner for 2007. The description stated:

Beautiful triplex featuring a classic craftsman with 3 beds and 2 baths in the front. Two cozy 1 bed, 1 bath units in the back. All of the units need some TLC, but have great potential. Perfect for the owner who wants to live in the front and rent the two units in the back for extra income

Use Ugly To Your Advantage

Rather than trying to paint an idyllic picture of this property, the agent should have gone ugly early. Ugly Sells! It indicates a distressed property that could be picked up at below market. Instead people go over to the house expecting one thing and being extremely disappointed. The lady I showed the house to commented “I have been looking at property for 30 years and I have never seen anything like this”. It was awful.

The description which would have been more indicative of the condition should have read:

Craftsman property in need of re-crafting. Bring your Bio-Hazard suit. Enter at your own risk and be careful you do not twist an ankle on the buckled and termite infested wood floors. If skid row is your ideal of cozy, then you will adore the units in the back. Be careful of the pit bull (Named Killer) in the back. He is usually chained.

Now, if this were the description, then potential buyers would be very impressed because their expectations have been set so low that there was no where to go but up. It lets them know that the term “fixer” is far to mild for the condition and this is not for the faint of heart. Sometimes all you have is all you have and no matter what flowered description you put on it, it just won’t help.

Tags: craftsman, Pasadena homes for sale, puffing