Abracadabra - The Magic Words That Help Sell a Home

Abracadabra… Alakazam… Hocus Pocus… Sim Sala Bin… Voilà… Shazam… Ta-da! Do you believe in magic? Are you searching for the ‘magic words’ that will help your home sell faster? Better yet—do they even exist? While I don’t believe in magic spells, I do believe in the power of carefully chosen words. The right language can highlight a home’s best features, spark emotion, and make it stand out from the rest. In this article, we’ll explore a few of those words—and why they work.

1.      BRIGHT

Bright” is an appealing word because it carries positive energy without any baggage. Natural light makes rooms feel larger and more inviting, which is much more engaging than simply saying “lots of windows.” It also gives you a chance to be descriptive, like: “The bright living room opens to a balcony overlooking the lake.”

2. AMPLE STORAGE

Most people want more space to put their ‘stuff’. Showcasing your home’s practical storage areas - including walk-in closets, pantry, additional basement or attic storage - helps potential buyers envision a place for everything, making the home feel more organized.

3. SPACIOUS

Even if the home isn’t especially large, words like spacious or open helps buyers imagine a space that affords them flexibility and room to move. Reinforce this by describing specific areas – “The open living room and kitchen floorplan is ideal for entertaining”.  

4. ENERGY EFFICIENT

What buyer doesn’t want to save money on rising utility costs? An energy efficient home can be a great selling point. Here are items you’ll want to point out in your listing: energy efficient windows and doors, programmable or smart thermostats, HVAC systems, roofing materials, tankless or solar water heating systems.

5. MOVE-IN READY

While some buyers want to put their personal stamp on a home by tackling a renovation project, many buyers are looking for a home that doesn’t require an investment of time or money prior to moving in. Show potential buyers how your home affords a quick and low-cost move in: “New carpet and freshly painted, roof replaced this past year, energy-efficient windows installed in 2025”.

We’ve examined some words that, when carefully chosen, may have real attraction power to buyers. Yet not all words are created equally charming. Next, we’ll examine double-edged words and phrases – those that can captivate or fall flat – depending on how they’re used.

1.      UPDATED

When using this word, make certain the updates are clearly spelled out for buyers. Updating can mean the home is move-in ready OR it can mean something as simple as new paint or carpet. In his blog, Home Listing Power Words That Will Help You Sell Faster (and Some That Won’t, Craig Donofrio shares words from agents: The terms “well-maintained” and "renovated" can have a positive impact on a listing. But don't throw them around casually.

Let's get real: Slapping on a new granite countertop doesn't quite qualify as a "renovated kitchen," Reynolds says, and she advises sellers to use the term only if they’ve included new appliances and cabinets. If they’ve done just a few cosmetic updates, stick to the phrase "updated kitchen." Likewise, use "well-maintained" instead of "renovated" if you haven't put in some serious work. If I see ‘completely renovated,’ my head would tell me that the home was gutted and there was all new everything," says Chastin Miles, a Realtor with Rogers Healy and Associates in Dallas. "But in actuality, too many agents will put that and simply mean new carpet and new paint.” And that can be a big turnoff for potential buyers.

2.      COZY/QUAINT

Cozy can translate as small, cramped, tiny. And quaint also embodies a feeling of small. Both can imply old or lacking in modern features. Rather than using these words, use this phrasing: “Warm and inviting with a fireplace” or “Inviting and compact”. And instead of saying ‘quaint kitchen’ – “Kitchen with exposed beams, a farmhouse sink, and a sunny breakfast nook”.

3.      AS-IS/NEEDS TLC/ FIXER-UPPER

We all know what this means…. Something is wrong, and you’re stuck with it! There will likely be no negotiations, and the problems will be fixed by YOU. Try this instead – ‘Ready for your personal touch and finishes’.

As I said, I don’t believe in magical words, yet choosing the right phrases can tell a home’s story and make it appealing in buyers’ eyes. A skilled Realtor® can help add a bit of charm and enchantment in highlighting a property’s best features. Call us today if you need a bit of help crafting the right words to spark a potential buyer’s imagination.

Sandi Downing Real Estate/Keller Williams Greater Omaha

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