Introduction:

This guide is designed to help you with the writing of your listing when using a private sales websites like www.spanishsalesdirect.com. Your property details can be a huge incentive for a buyer to take a closer look, if written well…and to move on to another listing if not!

The Summary Description:

Keep it brief – It is very much a case of 'less is more' and the details should attempt to provide a teaser as to what your home offers. Just include enough information sufficient to encourage people to want to arrange a viewing.

So stick to highlighting the main features, and think back to the reasons you fell in love with your home, those same reasons may well be relevant for today. Make it positive and appealing to buyers. Ask the following questions of your property and include the answers in the summary.


What is the wow factor my home?
What are the features of the property?
Does it have any unique features?
Are transport links or location a factor?
Are local schools, shops & amenities well situated?
Is the area desirable & why?
What local places of interest are worth mentioning?

Taking Measurements:

Always measure a room to its maximum advantage. For example, if you have a bay window measure all the way into the bay. In the description for the room, the following wording can then be included - 'room measurement into the bay'.

If there are fitted wardrobes in a bedroom, measure all the way to the wall. Just make sure some appropriate wording is again added to the room description - 'Measured into wardrobes'.

It is difficult to measure the garden accurately, but state when measurements are approximate.

Be as precise as possible by using a tape measure, you are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of your property listing. It is well worth asking someone to help, especially for large rooms. To lessen the chance of mistakes, take the measurements twice. And remember, always state when measurements are approximate.

Individual Rooms

The rooms should be listed in order of size, with the largest first, them subsequent rooms getting smaller. Rooms on the listing could include:


Living room
Lounge
Bathroom (Family or 'En Suite')
Dining room
Bedroom (master or other)
Kitchen
Playroom
Porch
Hallway
Conservatory
Study
Cloakroom

Room details:

Your listing should include as much information as possible about your rooms, always ensure it is accurate. If there is any doubt, it is best to leave it out rather than mislead.

Buyers will be interested in features a 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 – stone, tiles
Doors - French, patio, panelled, stained glass
Windows - bay, double glazed, sash
Aspect - French doors onto terrace, 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
Loft access

Kitchens

The kitchen is a very important room and can be the key deciding factor for buyers. It is worth spending time and effort describing the kitchen in detail. The following list offers advice on the details to include.


Type - modern, country style, classic, fitted, freestanding
Storage - cupboards, pantry, shelving
Sink - single, double, stainless steel, white, Belfast, tap type
Flooring - tiled, stone,
Lighting - spots, under cupboard, wall
Windows and aspect - front, rear
Dining - can accommodate 4/6/8 seat table, breakfast bar
Details of appliances need to be included also, and 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, 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 suggested details to include. Original features are well worth including.


Windows and aspect - front, rear
Flooring - Type
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 (usually the family bathroom) followed by en-suites and separate toilets. The following are suggestions of what can be 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
Make of components (e.g. Roca)
Lighting - spots, halogens

Outside space:

The outside of the property can be as important as the inside. Of particular interest to buyers are gardens and parking facilities and pool/terrace areas.


Driveway - number of cars, tarmac, gravel, paving
Parking - garage, car port, allocated
Front garden - flower beds, mature shrubs or trees
Rear garden - flower beds, mature shrubs or trees
Patio - paving, stone, decking
Swimming pool – size ,shape, depth
Court yard - size, privacy
Aspect - south, west, east, north facing

Photographs:

A picture paints a thousand words! - Photographs that are uploaded to the listing have a massive impact on potential buyers. Most buyers will make an instant decision, based on a photograph alone! It is therefore absolutely vital that every photograph presents the property, inside and out, as favourably as possible.


Take plenty of photos and then sort out the best ones.
Always take photos with the flash. This will ensure they have plenty of light and are crisp and bright.
Don't have any family, friends or pets in the photos.
If you have access to photo editing software, then use it to improve the shots.
If possible, take outside photographs on a sunny day. A beautiful blue-sky always looks more inviting than a photo taken on a dull overcast day.
Tidy up outside beforehand.
Move cars from the driveway, to give impressions of space.
Renew hanging baskets, and trim any hedging or untidy greenery.
Put empty plant pots, hoses, etc into sheds.
Clean and set out the patio or pool furniture attractively.
Generate an impression of space by taking photos at different angles.
Make all photos as light as possible. Open the curtains and use the flash.

I hope this guide inspires you to go and create a really eye catching listing