Introduction
This guide aims to help with the writing of property details and to offer advice on how to make the property more appealing to potential buyers. The property details can be a big incentive for a buyer to arrange a viewing if written well.
The Summary Description
The summary should be kept brief and snappy. Try not to over hype the property, unless with good reason, and stick to highlighting it's best features. Think back to the reasons for originally purchasing the property, those same reasons may well still be relevant for today's buyers. Make the summary positive and appealing to buyers. Ask the following questions of your property and include, where appropriate, the answers in the summary.
- What is the wow factor of the property?
- What are the standout features of the property?
- Does the property retain many original features?
- Are local transport links an important factor?
- Do local schools have a good reputation?
- Is the area desirable for home buyers?
- What local points of interest are worth mentioning?
Taking Measurements
Always measure a room to its maximum advantage. For example, if you have a bay window the measurement should be all the way into the bay area. In the description box for the room, the following wording can be included - 'room measurement into the bay'.
If there are fitted wardrobes in a bedroom, measurements can either be up to the wardrobe or all the way to the wall. Make sure some appropriate wording is added in the room description - 'Measured to wardrobes'.
It is very difficult to measure the garden accurately, but it must be stated when measurements are approximate. Depending on what the size of the garden is, measurements can indicate the length of the garden or, for larger plots, in acres.
Be as precise as possible with the measurements by using a tape measure, you are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of your property listing. It is well worth asking someone to help when taking measurements, especially for large rooms. To lessen the chance of mistakes, take the measurements twice. Always state when measurements are approximate.
Reception Rooms
The reception rooms should be in order of size, with reception room 1 being the largest and subsequent reception rooms getting smaller. Reception rooms to include in the details are:
- Living room
- Lounge
- Dining room
- Playroom
- Porch
- Hallway
- Landing
- Conservatory
- Study
- Cloakroom
Reception room details
The details should include as much information as possible about your reception rooms, always ensuring they are accurate. If there is a doubt about a detail, it is best to leave it out rather than innocently mislead a buyer.
Potential buyers will be particularly interested in any original features the room has and the position of the room in the home. The following list offers some good examples of details to include.
- Fireplace - original, wood burning, gas
- Flooring - carpet, floorboards, parquet, stone
- Doors - French, patio, panelled, stained glass
- Windows - bay, double glazed, sash
- Aspect - French doors into garden, window overlooks front of house
- Lighting - wall, ceiling, spots, dimmer
- Points - television, satellite, telephone, power
- Heating - radiators (number), gas heater, electric heater
- Dining - can accommodate 4/6/8 seat table
- Cloakroom - WC, basin, tiled, part tiled, coat hangers
- Loft access
Kitchens
The kitchen is an important part of any home and can be one of the key deciding factors for buyers. It is worth spending the time and effort describing the kitchen in detail. The following list offers advice on the details to include for the kitchen.
- Type - modern, country style, classic, fitted, freestanding
- Storage - cupboards, pantry, shelving
- Sink - single, double, stainless steel, white, Belfast, tap type
- Flooring - tiled, stone, wood, laminate, heated
- Lighting - spots, under cupboard, wall
- Windows and aspect - front, rear
- Dining - can accommodate 4/6/8 seat table, breakfast bar
Details of appliances to be included in the sale should be listed along with manufacturer if a plus point. State if an appliance is freestanding or integrated, integrated means built into the kitchen units and usually with fronts to match the kitchen doors.
- Oven - gas, electric, oil, single, double, fan assisted, range, stainless steel
- Hob - gas, electric
- Extractor fan
- Fridge freezer
- Dishwasher
- Washing machine
- Tumble dryer
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are usually listed in order of size, with bedroom 1 being the largest followed by further bedrooms in order of decreasing size. The following list offers some suggested details to include. Original features are well worth including.
- Windows and aspect - front, rear
- Flooring - carpet, wood, laminate
- Heating - radiators, heaters
- Storage - built in wardrobes, shelving
- Points - telephone, television
- En-suite - refer to bathroom number
Bathrooms
Bathrooms should be listed in order of size with bathroom 1 being the largest. Bathroom 1 is usually the family bathroom followed by en-suites and separate WC's. The following details are suggestions of what can be included in the listing.
- Suite - 3/4 piece suite comprising bath, basin, WC
- Colour - recommended only for white
- Age - only when new or recently fitted
- Bath - panelled, roll top, freestanding, corner, spa
- Shower - electric, power shower, manufacturer
- Tiling - complete, part, patterned, plain
- Windows - frosted, double-glazed
- Lighting - spots, halogens
Gardens and Outside
The outside of the property can, for some buyers, be as important as the inside. Of particular interest to buyers are the gardens and parking facilities of a property.
- Driveway - number of cars, tarmac, gravel, paving
- Parking - garage, car port, allocated
- Front garden - lawn, flower beds, mature shrubs
- Rear garden - lawn, flower beds, mature shrubs
- Patio - paving, stone, decking
- Court yard - size, privacy
- Direction - south, west, east, north facing
Back to top
|
0870 224 1634
