Writing a property description

Visit estate agents in the area and pick up details of houses like yours currently on the market. You will get a good idea of what agents usually write about properties. It is standard practice to meausre your home and supply dimensions in your description. You should measure each room’s length and width. If a room is not an exact rectangle or square, you should meausre it to its widest point and indicate this on your description sheet by adding (max) after the dimensions.

You should start your description with an overview of the home. Include details like number of bedrooms, whether it has double glazing, central heating, the type of home (detached, semi–detached, etc), the approximate time it was built (if you feel this is relevant) and other such general details.

You should then go from room–to–room, listing the dimensions and best features of each one. Estate agents‘ descriptions are often very technical and short, simply listing each room’s features. You might want to be a bit more descriptive in your particulars – why not think more along the lines of writing a ‘brochure‘ for your home, rather than just a dull list. Buyers appreciate lots of information on the homes they are looking at, so do not be afraid to go in to detail.

Once you have written your description you should print it out and photocopy lots of versions of it to distribute to potential buyers. If we have written your description for you, you can print it out straight off this website. We photograph your home digitally, so the property descriptions we supply contain photographs both online and in print. If you are writing your own description, and have the capability, including photographs will make all the difference, improving the look – and usefulness to buyers – of your description no end.

If you are writing and printing your own description, it might be worth adding a small disclaimer at the end of it, stating that the details and dimensions are provided as a guide only and form no part of a contract. You should also state that just because something is listed or photographed in your description (such as furniture for instance), it does not necessarily mean it is included for sale with your home. If you’re concerned about the wording of such a disclaimer, why not copy the following and use it for yourself…

‘These particulars do not constitute any part of an offer or contract. None of the statements contained in these particulars should be relied upon as statements of fact and the potential purchaser should satisfy themselves of the correctness of the statements contained in these particulars. The vendor, nor any other person or organisation, has the authority to make or give any representation or warranty in relation to this property‘

Fixtures and Fittings

You must specify what items you are including in the sale of your house. After writing your property description, go from room–to–room and make a detailed list of the items that you will be leaving behind when you move out. This should include everything, no matter how obvious it may seem that you are including them with the house. List doors, curtain rails, carpets, radiators, light–fittings, plug sockets…. everything in the room you see around you that you will not be taking with you when you move out. Finish the list with a declaration that everything listed is included in the price of your home and sign and date it. You should attach this list to your property description and give it to all interested parties. This agreement will avoid confusion and conflict (as long you stick to your end of the bargain) and will impress any potential buyer. If you use our full service, we will supply you with a fixtures and fittings tick–sheet, allowing you to easily select which items will be included in the sale.