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Home Kristin Hamilton CDPE, SFR, CHS Realtor Redlands/ Loma Linda Homes for Sale, CA

Kristin Hamilton CDPE, SFR, CHS Realtor Redlands/ Loma Linda Homes for Sale, CA

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CAN YOU SELL EFFECTIVELY IF YOU CANNOT SPELL?

06-05-11
Kristin Hamilton CDPE, SFR, CHS Realtor Redlands/ Loma Linda Homes for Sale, CA

CAN YOU SELL EFFECTIVELY IF YOU CANNOT SPELL?

My absolute number one upset is searching listings in the MLS and seeing misspelled words. I am a member of CRMLS and we have a spell check but I remember when we did not. I used to copy it onto Word and do my own spell check to make sure I had no horrible typos. We all abbreviate and that is acceptable. One of my favorites is to make counter and top into one word; "Countertop." This word is correct but our MLS spell check doesn't know it and still tries to fix it for me.

I am not making excuses for agents as I have put listings in at 1:00 AM, tired, rushing and finally done when I hit the submit button. But go back and read it when the link appears. I usually do not like the way it reads and I will edit it 2 or 3 more times until I get it perfect. Yes, 99% of the time, I use the spell check provided. But the next day, I still go back and look again as after a good night sleep. I usually see something I want to change.

Just now, I did a random search in the MLS and went through 30 listings and came up with 9 misspelled words in the "Description" section. Everyone eventually sees it since the MLS listings are driven to hundreds of other web sites. I have listed some examples I found below. Almost one third of the listings I went through had typos!

• HOUSE INCLUDES LARGE INCLOSED SCREENED IN PATIO

• nice for students or fist time home buyers.

• GREAT FOR SMELL FAMILY.

• Well estlablished Neighbor hood Great for first time homebuyer

• THIS IS A SHORT SALE PROPERTY SUBJET TO LENDER APPROVAL.

• NICE PATIO COVER WITH ROUT IRON FENCE.

• SOLD AS IS WITHOU WARRANTY

• PLEASE DONO DISTURB OCCUPANTS

• EACH ROOM HAS ITS OWN SEPERATE BATHROOM

Now, just looking at these phrases listed, do they know how to spell or are they just in hurry and typing the wrong keys? Probably a combination of both but for goodness sakes, fix it! This is a reflection on the individual agent that he/she is not good with detail, not well educated, and not very professional. Plus it is a reflection on all agents. You can imagine what the readers may be saying to themselves. Don't they know how to spell? Don't they have spell check?

To be a real estate agent, you do not have to be an English major or even have a college degree. But take a couple of minutes to proof read your product. When I first started in real estate, I used to do flyers on all my listings. The program had spell check and I thought I carefully proofread them each time. I had this lovely large home and I used the term "Turnkey" in my flyer. I had it listed for several weeks and was doing an open house when a perspective buyer walked in to visit and asked me if I had prepared the flyer. Yes, I did, why? He then asked me what a "turkey" house was. I was horrified!! When I thought that this flyer had been picked up by 60-80 interested buyers already and they all saw turkey instead of turnkey. Later that day, I showed several of my co-workers and not one of them spotted the typo so I think it may have been hidden. But believe me, this taught me a valuable lesson. Look over your work product and read, read, read....... The sad thing here, I am not perfect and I had read over this flyer several times and just didn't spot it!

Typos are my #1 upset and #2 is no pictures in MLS or 1 picture taken with a cell phone. I saw 2 of those while finding my misspelled words just now. I think to myself, how lazy can this agent be. Well, this is a subject I will blog about soon.

For the majority of you, this is not directed at you but just the few agents who are in a hurry and don't care! I have had misspellings in the past and I am sure I will in the future but all I am saying is proofread and you will have less errors and your image as a professional will be good.

Need a Great Realtor in San Bernardino & Riverside?

Kristin Hamilton
Keller Williams Realty
909.557.6966

If you are looking to buy a home or sell your current home in the Inland Empire, CALL ME as I will be happy to assist you.

Locations in San Bernardino County: Redlands, Loma Linda, Highland, Yucaipa, Grand Terrace, Colton, San Bernardino, Rialto, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Alta Loma, Montclair, Ontario, Upland, Chino, Devore,

Locations in Riverside County: Riverside, Moreno Valley, Highgrove, Corona, La Sierra, Calimesa, Beaumont, Banning. I service most areas throughout San Bernardino/Riverside County. Please call me today and allow me to assist you!

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