The Top 5 MLS Phrases That Make You Cringe (And Why They Hurt More Than Help)

If you’re thinking about selling your home, the words used in your MLS description matter far more than most sellers realize.

Buyers don’t just look at photos—they read between the lines. Certain phrases, even ones that sound harmless or well-intentioned, can quietly signal desperation, uncertainty, or deferred maintenance. And once that perception forms, it can directly affect showings, offers, and negotiating leverage.

A strong MLS description doesn’t rely on hype. It positions your home with confidence, clarity, and intention. Below are five phrases that experienced agents avoid—and why eliminating them can protect your bottom line.

(These are not listed by frequency, but if ranked by potential harm, the first three can do the most damage.)

1. “Motivated seller”

This phrase does more harm than almost any other.

Buyers don’t read “motivated seller” as an opportunity—they read it as leverage. Whether the seller is truly flexible or not, this language tells the market there’s room to push, and buyers will respond accordingly.

Why it hurts sellers:

• Signals desperation or urgency

• Invites aggressive offers

• Weakens your negotiating position before negotiations even begin

What works better: A skilled agent can communicate timing or circumstances without advertising weakness to every buyer and agent scrolling the MLS.

2. “As-Is”

While this phrase may feel transparent, it often creates unnecessary fear.

Most residential transactions are effectively “as-is” already. When the phrase is called out explicitly, buyers assume there’s a problem—and many will skip the showing entirely rather than investigate further.

Why it hurts sellers:

• Suggests hidden issues

• Shrinks the buyer pool

• Raises objections before facts are known

What works better: Clear expectations, thoughtful disclosures, or pre-inspection strategies that inform without alarming.

3. “Seller offering $$$$ paint and flooring allowance”

On paper, this sounds flexible. In practice, it highlights the work a buyer doesn’t want to do.

When allowances are advertised, buyers mentally subtract that amount—and then some—from their offer. Instead of seeing possibility, they see inconvenience, timelines, and uncertainty.

Why it hurts sellers:

• Draws attention to dated condition

• Creates pricing confusion

• Shifts focus from lifestyle to labor

What works better: Strategic pricing or completing updates prior to listing often creates stronger emotional appeal and cleaner offers.

4. “Bring your pickiest buyers”

This phrase is usually meant to sound confident—but it rarely lands that way.

Rather than conveying quality, it can feel defensive, almost daring buyers to find flaws. Truly well-presented homes don’t need to challenge the audience.

Why it hurts sellers:

• Invites unnecessary scrutiny

• Sounds reactive instead of assured

• Undermines confidence rather than reinforcing it

What works better: Let condition, preparation, and professional marketing speak for themselves.

5. “This one won’t last”

This phrase is more ineffective than damaging—but it still doesn’t help.

Buyers have seen it so often that it no longer creates urgency. When overused, it can actually reduce credibility by feeling like sales narration instead of market reality.

Why it falls flat:

• Subjective and unverifiable

• Adds no real value

• Distracts from what actually makes the home compelling

What works better: Proper pricing, strong presentation, and clear positioning naturally create urgency without needing to say it.

What Sellers Should Take Away From This

Every word in your MLS description either builds confidence—or introduces doubt.

The difference between an average listing and a strong one isn’t clever phrasing. It’s experience. An agent who has written thousands of MLS descriptions understands how buyers interpret language, how other agents frame offers, and how small wording choices can quietly impact final sale price.

When you’re preparing to sell, this isn’t something you want to leave to chance.

Ready to List With Confidence?

If you’re considering selling your home, work with a Realtor who has decades of experience writing MLS descriptions that protect leverage, attract serious buyers, and drive results. The right words—used strategically—can make a measurable difference in how your home performs on the market.