Real estate jargon

Words that you encounter in the real estate world, but really do not sound to normal people

If you work with real estate - as a real estate agent, developer or in another position - then you are familiar with the jargon. You may understand that most people don't talk about gross initial yield, objects and units on a daily basis or about abbreviations such as vvo and von, but that complicated real estate language creeps in here and there. That's not a problem if you communicate with colleagues or colleagues (although, clear language is nice everywhere). Yet we also see many inaccessible real estate slogans being fired at the 'normal person' who is simply looking for a nice home. And that while accessibility is a great asset within perhaps any kind of communication!

That is why we have compiled a list of words that you encounter in the real estate world, but that really do not sound to normal people. Immediately remove it from your vocabulary, we would say. Side note: this list has been drawn up on the basis of our own observations, there is nothing scientific about it and it is highly personal.

1. Mutations

Not only does this word nowadays bring to mind all kinds of nasty corona variants, the word 'mutation' already caused negative associations before this pandemic. Example: 'When changing, the bathroom is renovated.' Do you have to transform into a kind of Frankenstein's monster before you get that new bath? Rather not. Apart from sounding cold, it doesn't even seem to be about people anymore. For the record: it should. We are talking about a change of tenants here, so real people. The fact that for most people it is also an unclear term that only makes you guess at the meaning, is perhaps the most clumsy part.

Suggestion: exchange, with a new tenant

2. Realize

People who build like to tell what they are realizing. This may not be the worst term, because at least it is obvious. Nevertheless, an extremely businesslike feeling must come over you when you read for the umpteenth time what is being realized in a building. Business isn't always bad, but it doesn't make for the most accessible lyrics. Not for a nice, welcome feeling in your new home. So it's fine to use it to colleagues or in notes, but don't tell future residents that a shared living room is being realized in the complex (unless you like to keep it empty?). It doesn't sound very inviting.

Suggestion: make, build, create, there will come

3. Separate

Separate storage rooms and toilets fly around you when you read housing descriptions. And then we are back in the business corner of the vocabulary. Not a disaster, but not very accessible and therefore a pity. Every word in a property description should evoke a beautiful image and with words like this you make it very difficult for yourself. A reader and home seeker will certainly receive the right information, but are you really pulling her or him in? Does this create a nice atmosphere? Probably not (unless the context is beautiful of course).

Suggestion: separate, loose, (separately)

Then what?

Can you never write these words again? That would be lame too. In any case, be aware that the jargon of the real estate world is a bit on the corporate and sometimes unclear side. You really do something very different when communicating with house seekers than when you e-mail with colleagues. You want to tell stories and evoke an experience through texts (and visualisations) about what it is like to live somewhere. Therefore, put yourself in the shoes of a future resident before you pick up the pen.

Which of these words are you guilty of? Or have we just missed one? Let us know and make the (real estate) world a bit more accessible!