We live in an environment of political correctness (PC). Violate the rules and you will get ostracized!
Perhaps ostr
acized is a bit strong but you will get attention.
Sometimes PC prevents us from saying what we are thinking, telling it like it is..or causes us to just ignore it.
Sometimes we just use euphemisms – using something a bit more mild instead of being blunt or direct.
I used to play golf with a “man of the cloth” and when he missed a putt he would say “beans” I knew what he meant!
In the real estate world ....
- When a real estate agent uses descriptors like “cozy” it usually means large enough to sustain life – barely!
- When you see “needs TLC” it means lots of deferred maintenance needs attention.
- When a real estate agent uses “needs updating” it means "original 1970s decor with harvest gold appliances!
Sometimes real estate agents have to put a positive spin on the less than stellar property. Sort of like the old adage "she (he) has a nice personality!"
Of course, it would not be nice to write the narrative as
“What a dump! Never cleaned or had maintenance performed. Decorated in tasteless colors. Want potential…Lots of it here!
No, that would not be PC or kind! And as the title says...
Political Correctness even exists in real estate...
Gary L. Waters PLLC, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region.
Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.
Gary....politically correct is a nice way of saying the truth hurts.....when I see an ad that reads needs TLC, I am fully aware of exactly what to expect...
Hi Gary-AH yes the art of tactfulness at it's best. <SMILE>
Barabra - Yep, we know but "they" think we don't! Thanks.
Sharon - Tactfulness...that is a useful skill. Thanks.
Great read and so true.
Well done what you say is absolutely true. But we do translate for our clients once in a while.
Gary, I have found we as Realtors are masters of manipulation. WE can make just about anything look good in pictures and yes we can make it sound good on paper. It is all about the marketing. Heck, it's not even about being poclitally correct. It is all about attracting a buyer who may be able to see through the marketing with a vision. To see the real potential of a property. It is an art that some have a knack for and others are trying to learn.
Gary....Very true and said with such good humor. I believe Realtors who see this PC language know what to expect. Maybe those using these PC words are only fooling thier buyers or sellers!...Thanks
Gary - I saw an email circulating once that listed euphemisms in real estate and what they REALLY mean. I wish I stll had it, I think you'd enjoy it.
Pretty cool thoughts Gary. You know me well enough by now to know that I am definitely not PC. No way could I be an REA:-)
Thanks Wendy.
Terry - Thanks. I do know you are not one of the PC crowd!
Tchaka - Plese send it if to me if you find it. Thanks.
Terry M. - Thanks you make it sound like a really great skill. Guess it is!
Carra - Thanks. I like to add a bit of humor when I can!
Nice post. Political Correctness is slowly eroding our freedom of speach. It is one more social tool our government uses against us. Anyway, in RE it seems that PC is really BS!
Joe - I do believe that RE PC is spin...all spin! Thanks.