I try to avoid:

"termite infested, 3 murders last year, many leaks, new sinkhole nearby, green mold blends in with landscaping, road won't be paved for 9 more years."

Everything else works good.

ROFL :D

I read a report somewhere, recently, from somebody with pretty good credibility, that said the word

BEAUTIFUL

was the single best word in real estate copy when comparing dollars per sq ft final selling price on similar homes.  

GORGEOUS was a good substitute.

Anybody else?  

Sharron and Steve,

Thanks.  I'll use that next time.

I like "lots of natural light in this home".

Of course, hopefully, it has a good roof.

Here is the article:  WHAT'S BEAUTIFUL WORTH? ABOUT $12,500.

http://realestate.msn.com/selling/Article2.aspx?cp-documentid=2856666

Mark - Funny!

Lonn - I saw that article about a week ago and thought it was very interesting!  The psychological impact of words is fascinating to me... such a simple thing, that can have so much influence on a buyer's perception!  I am soooooo guilty of using too many words, instead of a few 'high impact' words - I blame it on all the papers I had to write in college that had a word limit requirement - I still remember counting words typed on my Sears manual typewriter (that was way before computers with spell check and word count - LOL)

Talk about the "benefits" instead of "features."  Example: Instead of "big trees" use "cool in summer."

Immaculate, Beautiful, Sun-filled are few of the words I like to use..

I read the msn article its interesting. I do compare the verbage used in an area for homes that went under contract or recent sold to get a felling on what is more popular and works with my listing.

I try to avoid any abbreviations as consumer may not understand what it is. Keep it simple and enough to create curosity to come and visit the home.