Have you ever circled a promising apartment listing only to be disappointed when you went to see it?
This happens all the time to people looking for the perfect apartment. For some reason, apartment owners and managers want to oversell what they’re offering to get people interested.
Actually, they do it because they feel like that if people just see the apartment they’ll become interested. Or maybe they think that people will feel obligated to lease it once they see it.
Either way, it’s usually better to be up front with what an apartment is when creating a listing. This means that when people are interested that they’ll actually be interested.
If you’ve struggled with apartment listing descriptions, we’re going to help you to translate some of the language you’ll see.
Hopefully this is a little fun and a little helpful as you search for the right apartment.
1. “This apartment is cute and cozy”
Translation: So small you can touch all four walls at once
Words like cute and cozy sound inviting on the surface. They make you think of grandma’s house where everything is in it’s place and full of love.
In real life, where you have to be in an apartment for more than a few minutes, cute and cozy really means small and cramped.
This might work if you’re never at home except for sleeping, but if you need more then stay away from these listings.
2. “Some units overlook beautiful downtown”
Translation: For a few hundred or thousand dollars more each month you get a great view. Otherwise you’re looking at the gas station next door.
Some buildings really do offer great views whether it’s downtown or on the outskirts. But you have to be ready to pay for these views. There are only so many good views and with demand high the price goes up.
Apartments can pull you in with an enticing description of beautiful views only to close you with an alternative option that has the same apartment with a slightly less desirable view.
3. “Underground parking”
Translation: You get one spot underground where it gets really dusty. Another car will have to be parked in the outdoor lot.
This is fine if you don’t really need you car that much. It’s nice if you only have one car, but if you use your car a lot you’ll have to be a pro to maneuver your car in and out of underground lots. There isn’t usually a lot of space in those things and sometimes you have to work around tall cement posts.
4. “Great walking trail access”
Translation: You better like walking everywhere because the traffic by this apartment is crazy.
It’s totally worth it to be near walking trails. It’s a good way to get around town, but you better be ready to give way to people on bicycles. They use the same trails often and the trails in cities can get crazy.
And the real issue is driving. More people are biking and walking around town, which is great, but tons of people still drive everywhere and that clogs things up.
5. “Borders great nightlife hot spots”
Translation: Invest in ear plugs.
If you’re young and in love with the nightlife then this is perfect for you. But if you need your sleep, especially during the week, then you’ll probably want to avoid this type of apartment. There are going to be people outside your window loud and obnoxious. That tends to happen after they’ve had a little too much to drink at those hot clubs.
Did we miss any of your favorite listings and translations?
We’d love to hear your examples in the comments!
Image: Flickr