Listing Description Examples by Property Type
A luxury villa buyer and a building-plot buyer read listings looking for completely different facts. These listing description examples by property type show what each kind of buyer needs to see first, with a full example for luxury homes, condos, land, fixer-uppers, new builds and waterfront property. Each section links to our generator already set to that type.
Luxury home listing description
What buyers look for: privacy, setting, scale and craftsmanship, stated calmly. Luxury buyers have seen every superlative, so restraint reads as confidence. Name materials, architects and dimensions instead of piling on adjectives.
"Set behind electric gates on 1.2 acres, this five-bedroom villa looks across the bay from every principal room. Inside, honed limestone floors run through 480 m² of living space to a 15-metre infinity pool and a covered terrace with an outdoor kitchen. The principal suite has a private balcony, a dressing room and a stone-clad bathroom with a freestanding bath. A self-contained guest apartment, a temperature-controlled wine room and parking for six complete the home. Viewings by appointment."
Why it works: every claim is a measurable or visible fact, and the tone stays quiet. Choose the "Luxury" tone and write a luxury villa listing.
Condo and apartment listing description
What buyers look for: floor level, light, outdoor space, building amenities and the monthly fees. Condo fees vary widely and keep rising: in Quebec, median annual condo fees doubled between 2015 and 2025 (APCIQ). Stating the fee and what it covers saves wasted viewings.
"On the 14th floor with floor-to-ceiling windows facing south-west, this one-bedroom-plus-den condo offers 610 sq ft of open-plan living, an in-suite washer and dryer and a balcony with city views. Residents share a 24-hour concierge, a gym and a rooftop terrace. Includes one parking space and a storage locker. Monthly fees of $520 cover heat and water. Five minutes' walk to the subway."
Why it works: it answers the fee question up front and names the den honestly. Write a condo listing.
Land and building plot description
What buyers look for: size, shape and slope, planning or zoning status, access, and which utilities reach the boundary. Adjectives don't sell land; permissions do.
"A 0.4-acre level building plot with outline planning permission for one detached house of up to 220 m². The site has 30 metres of road frontage, mains water and electricity at the boundary, and views over open farmland to the south. Ten minutes' drive to the town centre and the A-road. Plans and the planning reference are available on request."
Why it works: it leads with the facts that decide whether a buyer can build at all. Write a land listing.
Fixer-upper listing description
What buyers look for: an honest picture of the work, what's solid (structure, roof, plot), and the opportunity. Vague euphemisms such as "TLC" or "handyman special" put buyers off without telling them anything. Specific honesty builds trust and brings the right buyers. See more alternatives in our list of real estate words that sell (and those to avoid).
"A solidly built 1960s three-bedroom detached house on a 0.25-acre corner plot, offered for sale with no onward chain. The house needs full modernisation, including a new kitchen, bathroom and heating system. The roof was replaced in 2019. The large side garden offers space to extend, subject to planning. Priced to reflect the work required."
Why it works: it separates what's sound from what needs doing, so viewings come from serious buyers. Write a house listing.
New build listing description
What buyers look for: energy efficiency, running costs, warranty and specification. In the UK, for example, many new homes come with NHBC's 10-year Buildmark cover: two years of builder warranty followed by eight years of insurance (NHBC). Buyers compare these details between developments.
"Completed in 2026, this four-bedroom detached home has an A-rated energy certificate, an air-source heat pump, underfloor heating on the ground floor and an EV charger. The open-plan kitchen has integrated appliances and quartz worktops, and the principal bedroom has an en suite and fitted wardrobes. It comes with the remainder of a 10-year new home warranty. Landscaped rear garden and a double driveway."
Why it works: running costs and guarantees come before decor. Write a new build listing.
Waterfront property description
What buyers look for: the type of frontage, water access and rights, views from which rooms, and practical details such as moorings and flood protection. In the UK, National Trading Standards' material information guidance extends to flood risk, so mention it when you have it.
"Direct lake frontage of 40 metres, a private jetty and a timber boathouse set this three-bedroom home apart. The living room, kitchen and all three bedrooms face the water, and a lawn runs down to the shoreline. Inside, a vaulted living space opens onto a full-width deck. Swimming and paddle-boarding straight from the garden."
Why it works: it quantifies the frontage and says exactly which rooms get the view. Write a waterfront listing.
How to adapt any example
- Keep the order: what this buyer needs first, then proof, then practical details.
- Replace every number with your property's real figures, and delete what doesn't apply.
- Describe the home, never the buyer. Fair housing guidance warns against phrases such as "perfect for retirees" (NAR).
More examples across every property type are in our real estate listing description examples, and the full method is in how to write a property description.
References
- APCIQ (2026). Condominiums still the most affordable option despite rising costs.
- NHBC. Your Buildmark cover.
- National Trading Standards. Material information for property listings announced.
- National Association of Realtors. Window to the Law: advertising within the fair housing framework.