How To Write a Property Profile

A property profile must be 100 percent accurate not only for ethical reasons, but for legal protection as well. When listing property features, care must taken with the verbiage, especially when the description is put into writing for an Open House flyer. Real estate lawsuits are big business and can be won over negligent property descriptions that purport the house to be something it is not. For instance, a dining nook in the living room area cannot be represented as a "dining room" and if you wish to describe the flooring, it must be done with brand names if it appears to simulate a hardwood surface.

In addition to the positive aspects of describing the house, an owner attempting to sell the home himself or through an agency must comply with the law and fill out a Transfer Disclosure document. This declaration will reveal any major or minor repairs that need to done and should be fully written out in detail for maximum clarity. For example, it is not sufficient to simply state that there is a water mark on the kitchen ceiling. Instead, state that there is one small water mark on the kitchen ceiling above the sink. In depth property profiling will save you time and money in the courts when care and detail is provided in the report. The Transfer Disclosure document is not only a written record of the property's description, but may be used as a legal defense should a buyer try to sue over a malfunction or costly repair.

When describing the property on the TD document, be sure to include the exterior of the property, pool area, garage and any cracks along the cement. The current owner is not obligated to repair the declarations on the TD, but must show legal proof that the buyer was aware of them. Both parties will date and sign the TD, with the greatest benefit going to the seller should the sale turn sour at a later time. There is no such thing as selling "as is". That is an advertising gimmick to alert the buyer to a possible discount, as the Transfer Disclosure document is still required by law and regarded as the most important piece of paper in the real estate transaction.

To enhance the appeal of the property through advertisements, be sure to include nearby facilities such as the schools within the property's district, shopping, gas stations and proximity to the freeways. Buyer incentives will greatly increase the sale of the home, such as full or partial closing costs or a headline stating a price reduction. And unless the property is of a good size, you never want to indicate that the home or lot is small. Try to avoid words like "cottage" or "bungalow" as they scream "this house is tiny." Instead, promote your property with truth and dignity, emphasizing the positive and mitigating the negative.