A listing description has one job: get the right buyer to book a showing. Most descriptions don’t do it because they spend their first sentence on “Welcome home!” and the rest on adjectives every other listing uses.
This page has 40 real estate listing description examples grouped by property type: single-family homes, condos, townhouses, luxury homes, starter homes, fixer-uppers, new construction, land, rentals and vacation homes, plus short versions for Instagram and text messages. Copy the one closest to your listing and replace the details with your own.
These are samples, not real listings. We wrote every example to show structure and wording. The properties, prices and numbers are made up, so swap in the real facts before you publish anything.
Quick answer: how to write a listing description
Write it in four parts: the strongest feature first, three to five specific facts (updates with years, lot, parking, what the HOA covers), the setting in neutral terms (commute, nearby parks or transit), and a next step. Keep portal versions to 150–250 words and check your MLS’s character limit for public remarks. Here’s an example that does all four:
“Single-story 3-bed, 2-bath ranch with no steps from the driveway to the back door. Split floor plan, a screened lanai and a fully fenced yard. HVAC replaced in 2021, water heater in 2024. On a quiet cul-de-sac ten minutes from downtown. Open house Sunday, 1–4 pm.”
Jump to examples for your listing:
What makes a listing description work
Buyers scroll past dozens of listings that look alike in the photos. The description is where yours answers “why this one?” The ones that work share five habits:
- Lead with the differentiator. Corner lot, lake frontage, main-floor primary suite, new roof. Whatever the photos can’t show or buyers will ask about first.
- Facts beat adjectives. “Kitchen renovated in 2023 with quartz counters and a gas range” says more than “stunning chef’s kitchen.”
- Name the boring things buyers worry about. Roof age, HVAC, water heater, HOA fees and what they cover, parking. Answering them in the description means fewer wasted showings.
- Describe the property, not the buyer. Say “fenced yard and three bedrooms on one level,” not “perfect for a young family.” More on that below.
- End with a next step. An open house time, how to book a showing, or where to see more photos.
Generic
“Welcome home! This charming, move-in ready gem won’t last long. Stunning kitchen, cozy living room and a great backyard. A must-see!”
Specific
“Move-in-ready 3-bed, 2-bath with a 2023 kitchen (quartz, gas range, island seating) and a fenced quarter-acre yard. New roof 2022. Open house Saturday, 1–3 pm.”
40 real estate listing description examples by property type
Each group shows three examples first; tap “Show more” for the rest. Use the copy button, then replace the facts with your listing’s.
Single-family home listing description examples
Lead with the update or feature buyers will ask about first (kitchen, lot, garage), then the systems that were replaced. Ages of the roof, HVAC and water heater save a lot of showing questions.
Updated 4-bed, 2.5-bath colonial on a quarter-acre corner lot. The 2023 kitchen has quartz counters, a gas range and an island that seats four, open to a family room with a wood-burning fireplace. Primary suite with walk-in closet and double vanity. New roof (2022), fenced backyard with a paver patio, and a two-car garage with EV charger. Five minutes to I-95 and the commuter rail.
Single-story 3-bed, 2-bath ranch with no steps from the driveway to the back door. Luxury vinyl plank throughout, a split floor plan with the primary suite on its own side, and a screened lanai overlooking a fully fenced yard. HVAC replaced in 2021, water heater in 2024. Low-maintenance landscaping on a quiet cul-de-sac.
Brick 3-bed, 2-bath bungalow with original hardwood floors, built-ins and a deep front porch. The updated kitchen keeps the period charm with subway tile and butcher-block counters. Finished basement with a second living area, laundry and a full bath. Detached one-car garage with a workshop bench off the alley.
Open-concept 4-bed, 3-bath two-story built in 2015, with a main-floor bedroom and full bath. Nine-foot ceilings, a walk-in pantry and a mudroom with built-in lockers off the three-car garage. The backyard backs to a wooded preserve with no rear neighbors. Community pool, trails and playground.
Freshly painted 3-bed, 1.5-bath split-level on a 0.3-acre lot. New carpet upstairs, refinished hardwoods on the main level and a lower-level family room that walks out to the patio. Roof 2020, windows 2018. Large shed and garden beds in the back.
Condo and apartment listing description examples
Condo buyers compare buildings as much as units. Name the floor, the view, the parking and what the HOA covers, and list the building amenities in one sentence.
Corner 2-bed, 2-bath on the 14th floor with floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides and skyline views from every room. Wide-plank oak floors, an integrated-appliance kitchen and in-unit washer and dryer. The building has a 24-hour concierge, a rooftop pool and a fitness center. One deeded parking space and a storage unit are included. HOA covers water, gas and internet.
Sun-filled 1-bed, 1-bath with a private balcony facing the courtyard. Renovated in 2024 with a new kitchen, quartz counters and a walk-in shower. Pet-friendly building with an elevator, bike room and package lockers. Two blocks to the Blue Line and steps to restaurants on Main Street.
Top-floor 2-bed, 2-bath with vaulted ceilings and a gas fireplace. Split bedrooms for privacy, each with its own bath. Covered parking space right by the entrance, plus guest parking. Low HOA with a reserve study completed in 2025 and no special assessments planned.
Ground-floor studio with its own patio and garden gate, so there are no stairs or elevators to deal with. Murphy bed, a full-size kitchen and a walk-in closet. Laundry on site, heat and hot water included in the HOA. Easy street parking with no permit required.
Townhouse listing description examples
Townhouse buyers want to know about shared walls, outdoor space and the garage. End units and attached garages are worth naming early.
End-unit 3-bed, 2.5-bath townhome with extra windows on three sides and a private fenced patio. Open main level with a gas fireplace and a kitchen with a peninsula and pantry. Two-car attached garage with storage. HOA handles exterior maintenance, landscaping and snow removal.
Three-level 2-bed, 2.5-bath townhouse with a rooftop deck and city views. Each bedroom has its own bath, and the ground-floor flex room works as an office or gym. Built in 2020 with a tankless water heater and smart thermostat. One-car garage plus a driveway space.
Updated 2-bed, 1.5-bath townhome backing to open green space. New kitchen cabinets, stainless appliances and luxury vinyl plank on the main level. The finished lower level opens to a patio. Community pool and tennis courts; HOA includes water and trash.
Luxury home listing description examples
Luxury descriptions sell with specifics, not superlatives. Acreage, frontage, ceiling heights, architects and materials do more than “stunning” and “breathtaking.”
Private gated estate on 2.3 acres with 180 feet of lake frontage and a deep-water dock. Built in 2019, the 5,400 sq ft residence has 22-foot ceilings in the great room, a chef’s kitchen with two islands and a walk-in butler’s pantry, and a primary wing with a lake-view terrace. Outside: a heated saltwater pool, a summer kitchen and a detached guest suite above the three-car garage.
Architect-designed modern home with walls of glass opening to a 40-foot infinity-edge pool and canyon views. White oak floors, a Bulthaup kitchen and a 1,200-bottle temperature-controlled wine room. Five en-suite bedrooms, a home theater and a separate office with its own entrance. Solar with battery backup.
Restored 1912 Georgian revival on a tree-lined boulevard. Original plaster moldings, three marble fireplaces and a sweeping staircase, paired with a 2022 kitchen and updated systems throughout. Carriage house with a one-bed apartment above the garage. Half-acre walled garden with a fountain and mature magnolias.
Penthouse with 3,800 sq ft of interior space and a 1,500 sq ft wraparound terrace. Private elevator landing, 11-foot ceilings and ocean views from every room. Full-service building with valet, spa and residents’ lounge. Two parking spaces and a private storage room.
Need one for your own listing? Our free AI generator turns the property details into MLS remarks, a portal description, an Instagram caption and a text message, in the tone you pick.
Generate a description, freeStarter home and affordable listing description examples
Buyers at this price point are counting every dollar. Mention what’s already done, what the utilities run, and anything that lowers the monthly payment.
Move-in-ready 3-bed, 1-bath with a new roof, new furnace and fresh paint inside and out. Eat-in kitchen with updated appliances, a full unfinished basement for storage, and a fenced yard. Average utilities about $160 a month. Priced below recent sales on the street.
Two-bed, 1-bath cottage on a large lot with room to add on. Updated electrical panel and plumbing, refinished hardwood floors and a sunny back deck. Detached garage and a long driveway. Eligible for USDA financing per the seller’s lender check; buyer to verify.
Well-kept 2-bed, 2-bath manufactured home on its own land, not in a park, so there’s no lot rent. Open floor plan, a primary suite with a garden tub, and a covered front porch. New HVAC in 2023. Half an acre with a storage building.
Fixer-upper and as-is listing description examples
Be honest about the condition. It saves you from showings with the wrong buyers, and investors respond to clear numbers: lot size, zoning, comps and what’s been done.
Opportunity for investors or buyers ready to renovate: 3-bed, 2-bath brick ranch on a 0.4-acre lot in an established neighborhood. Solid structure with a 2019 roof; kitchen, baths and flooring need updating. Renovated homes on this street have sold for $340K–$365K. Sold as-is; cash or renovation loans only.
Two-unit property zoned R-2, each unit 2-bed, 1-bath with separate meters. Upper unit is rented at $1,250 a month on a month-to-month lease; the lower unit is vacant and needs a full renovation. Off-street parking for four cars. Rent roll and utility history available on request.
Estate sale: 4-bed, 2-bath farmhouse on 1.1 acres, priced for the work it needs. Original heart-pine floors and a wraparound porch; the kitchen, baths and wiring need updating. Septic inspected and pumped in 2025. Barn and fenced pasture in back. Sold as-is with no seller repairs.
Bring your vision to this 1950s Cape Cod with original hardwoods under the carpet and a large dormered second floor ready to finish. Needs a new kitchen, baths and windows. Oversized lot with alley access and room for a garage. Priced to reflect the work needed.
New construction listing description examples
Name the builder, the completion date, the warranty and what’s standard versus upgraded. New-build buyers compare floor plans line by line.
Brand-new 4-bed, 3-bath by Hartwell Homes, completing in March. Upgrades include a gourmet kitchen package with a 36-inch range, quartz throughout and a covered rear patio with a gas stub for a grill. Energy-efficient with spray-foam insulation and a 16 SEER heat pump. One-year builder warranty plus a 10-year structural warranty.
Last available homesite in phase two. The Aspen plan offers 2,450 sq ft with a main-floor primary suite, a loft upstairs and a three-car tandem garage. There’s still time to choose finishes. Community amenities include a clubhouse, pool and dog park.
Quick move-in: 3-bed, 2.5-bath townhome ready in 30 days. Smart-home package, tankless water heater and an EV-ready garage come standard. The builder is paying up to $10,000 in closing costs with its preferred lender.
Land and lot listing description examples
Land buyers want facts before they drive out: acreage, zoning, road frontage, utilities, survey, perc test and any restrictions.
5.2 wooded acres with 300 feet of paved road frontage, zoned agricultural-residential. Electric at the road, perc test approved for a 4-bed septic, and a recent survey available. No HOA or deed restrictions on outbuildings. 15 minutes to town.
Buildable 0.25-acre lot in an established neighborhood with city water and sewer at the street. Level, cleared and ready for plans. Zoned R-1 with a 25-foot front setback. Nearby new construction is selling from the mid-$400s.
Forty acres of pasture and timber with a year-round creek, two stock ponds and perimeter fencing. Good hunting with deer and turkey on the property. Existing barn and well. Owner financing considered with 20% down.
Rental listing description examples
Renters scan for price, move-in date, what’s included and the pet policy. Put those in the first two sentences, then the features.
Available December 1: 2-bed, 1-bath apartment at $1,650 a month with heat and hot water included. Updated kitchen with a dishwasher, hardwood floors and in-building laundry. Cats welcome; small dogs considered. One-year lease; first month and security deposit to move in.
Three-bed, 2-bath single-family home for rent with a fenced yard and an attached two-car garage. Washer and dryer included, lawn care included in the rent. Pets considered with a deposit. Available now on a 12-month lease.
Second-floor 1-bed, 1-bath in a renovated triplex, $1,375 a month. New kitchen, a walk-in closet and shared laundry in the basement. Tenant pays electric; water, sewer and trash included. No smoking; one pet under 30 lbs allowed with a deposit. Available January 15.
Furnished 1-bed condo for rent on a 6- to 12-month lease. Fully equipped kitchen, fast Wi-Fi, a dedicated desk and in-unit laundry. Building gym and covered parking included. All utilities included for a flat $2,100 a month.
Vacation and waterfront listing description examples
For second homes and short-term rentals, include what buyers will check: distance to the water, rental rules and rental history if you can share it.
Beach cottage 300 steps from the sand with ocean views from the upstairs deck. Three beds, 2 baths and an outdoor shower. Sold fully furnished. Short-term rentals are allowed; the seller can share booking history from the last two seasons.
Mountain cabin on 1.5 acres with a wraparound deck, a hot tub and long-range views. Stone fireplace, a game loft and a bunk room. Paved, year-round road access and high-speed internet. Twenty minutes to the ski resort.
Lakefront 3-bed, 2-bath with a private sandy beach, a covered boat lift and a dock. Walls of windows face the water in the great room. Detached two-car garage with storage for kayaks and paddleboards. No HOA.
Short listing description examples for Instagram and text messages
Short versions keep one hook, the essentials and a next step. Write them separately instead of cutting your MLS remarks in half.
Just listed: 4 bed, 2.5 bath colonial with a 2023 kitchen and a fenced backyard. Open house Saturday, 1–3 pm. Link in bio for photos and the price.
New on the market: corner 2-bed condo on the 14th floor with skyline views from every room and parking included. DM “VIEW” to get the details.
Hi Sarah, a 3-bed ranch just hit the market in Oak Park: no steps, fenced yard, new HVAC, $389K. Want me to set up a showing this week?
Price improved: lakefront 3-bed with a private beach and a boat lift, now $649K. Photos and video at the link.
Listing description opening lines you can adapt
The first sentence is the one that shows in search results, in portal previews and in the first line of a caption. Use it for facts that set the listing apart. Fill in the [brackets]:
Updated [number]-bed, [number]-bath [home type] on a [lot size or setting].
Rarely available [end-unit / corner unit / top-floor home] with [the feature buyers can’t get elsewhere].
[Number] feet of [lake / ocean / river] frontage with [dock / beach / views].
Single-story [home type] with [no steps / a split floor plan / a main-floor primary suite].
Move-in ready: new [roof / HVAC / kitchen] and [second update].
Opportunity for investors: [home type] on a [lot size] lot, [zoning or rent detail].
Brand-new [home type] by [builder], completing in [month].
Available [date]: [beds]-bed, [baths]-bath [home type] at [$ price] a month with [utility] included.
Words to avoid in a listing description (and Fair Housing)
Two kinds of words cost you: filler that every listing uses, and phrases that describe who should live there, which can raise Fair Housing problems.
Filler to cut or replace
- “Charming,” “cozy” → say the size and the feature
- “Stunning,” “breathtaking” → name the view or material
- “Must-see,” “won’t last” → give the open house time
- “Updated” alone → say what and when
- “Motivated seller” → it invites low offers
Describe the home, not the buyer
- “Perfect for families” → “three bedrooms on one level”
- “Ideal for retirees” → “single-story, no steps”
- “Great for singles or couples” → “1-bed, 1-bath”
- “Exclusive neighborhood” → name the amenities
- “Safe area” → leave it out; buyers can check for themselves
The federal Fair Housing Act bars advertising that shows a preference based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin, and many states and cities add more protected classes. The simple test: if a phrase says who the home is for rather than what it has, rewrite it. Your MLS and brokerage may have their own rules too, so check them. This isn’t legal advice.
One listing, four versions: MLS, Zillow, Instagram and text
Each channel needs a different length and a different next step. Writing them separately takes a few minutes but gets better results than pasting the same paragraph everywhere.
- MLS public remarks: factual and front-loaded, within your MLS’s character limit. Agent-only details (showing instructions, lockbox) go in the private remarks.
- Zillow, Realtor.com and your website: 150–250 words with room for the setting and the lifestyle the home allows, still in property terms.
- Instagram caption: one hook line, three essentials and a call to action (“link in bio,” “DM ‘TOUR’”). See our real estate bio link guide for where that link should go.
- Text message to a buyer: one or two sentences, the price, and a question that asks for a reply.
That’s exactly what our free AI listing description generator produces. Enter the beds, baths, size and key features, choose a tone (professional, luxury, cozy, modern or casual), and you get all four versions at once, ready to copy. Check the facts, adjust anything you’d say differently, and publish.
Once the description is ready, give the listing its own page to share: see property page templates and how to create a property catalog online.