How to Write a Great Listing Description with ChatGPT
Jun 30, 2023With every listing comes the dreaded listing description. Traditionally, real estate agents (who don’t double as professional writers) struggle through the process. They open up a digital thesaurus and wrack their brains for new and creative ways to say “inviting” and “charming.” And for good reason! Your listing flyers and marketing are only as good as your listing description. Not only are they what buyers read, but they are what sellers read! Delivering an exceptional client experience means putting the effort in to make a home look and sound fabulous.
But what if it didn’t have to be so hard.
Enter: ChatGPT. Instead of struggling through listing descriptions, you can now turn to AI for help. AI can be a game changer if you use it the right way.
With that said, it’s easy to let AI lead you astray. If you plan to use ChatGPT, follow these tips to not only get started, but ensure that you end up with a great description that wins over buyers and sellers alike.
Step 1: Sign up for ChatGPT
If you don’t yet have an account, the good news is that it’s free! Head over to the website and create your account.
Step 2: Send ChatGPT a message
It’s time to get started. Navigate to the “send a message” box, and type in information about your listing. You’ll want to include all of the most important details of the home that you want included. This is where one of the biggest mistakes is made. ChatGPT can help you wordsmith your listing description, but don’t forget you are the expert. Your description will only be as good as the details you feed AI. Here is an example of a bad prompt:
“Create a listing description for a property at 444 Roberts Drive in Lakeside California. It is 2 stories and built in 1982”
Here is what ChatGPT came up with:
Welcome to 444 Roberts Drive, a beautifully maintained 2-story residence nestled in the serene neighborhood of Lakeside, California. Built in 1982, this charming property offers a perfect blend of classic architectural design and modern comforts. With its spacious layout, tasteful upgrades, and a prime location, this home is a true gem for any discerning buyer…
What’s the issue here? This hypothetical property is not in a prime location and does not have classic architectural design! Plus, we are missing the key highlights: hardwood floors, upgraded kitchen with stainless steel appliances, great schools, huge backyard. Let’s try it again with the following follow-up prompt:
“Edit the listing description to not include prime location or classic architectural design. Make sure to include these key highlights. Make the listing description 200 words: stainless steel appliances, great schools, huge backyard.”
Here is what I got back:
Welcome to 444 Roberts Drive, an inviting 2-story residence located in Lakeside, California. This well-maintained home offers a spacious layout and boasts key highlights that make it an ideal choice for families. Enjoy the convenience of stainless steel appliances in the modern kitchen, perfect for effortless meal preparation. Benefit from excellent schools within the highly regarded district, ensuring access to top-notch education for your children. The standout feature of this property is its huge backyard, providing endless possibilities for outdoor activities and entertaining. The thoughtful layout includes a spacious living area for relaxation and quality time with loved ones. Upgraded features such as energy-efficient appliances and stylish finishes add a modern touch to this home. Situated in Lakeside, you'll enjoy easy access to essential amenities, including shopping centers and restaurants. Explore nearby parks, hiking trails, and lakes, embracing the outdoor lifestyle. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to own a home that combines modern comforts with family-friendly features. Contact us today to schedule a private viewing at 444 Roberts Drive in Lakeside, California
Better, right? The best part is you can continue to ask ChatGPT to make edits from there — OR, make edits yourself. Either way, you will work a lot faster by using AI.
Remember that you and you alone are responsible for accuracy. Make sure to fact check your listing description and verify that the property is being presented correctly.
Step 3: Get your tone right.
Accurate listing descriptions are great, but building your brand also means building your voice. If you prefer your descriptions to have a certain feel to them, prompt ChatGPT based on the end goal. Here are some examples of how to prompt ChatGPT based on your voice:
“Write the listing description like you’re casually talking to a friend who is looking to buy the house. Make it lighthearted but eloquent, and include a play on words”
“Write the listing description in a professional, direct manner. Include bullet points for the main features. Make it 50 words or less and to the point.”
Do not be afraid to continue prompting and editing with ChatGPT. Don’t take the first iteration as the final product. In the end, you may need to do some of your own edits as well to truly make it your own.
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Step 4: Turn your listing description into social posts and newsletter content
Just because your listing description is live on your MLS doesn’t mean the work is done. So how else can AI help? One great use case is to ask AI to turn your description into newsletter copy to go out via email. You can also create social media post captions. Here are some prompt ideas:
“Turn this listing description into a social media post for Facebook. Include emojis. Focus on the kitchen remodel. Include open house time: Friday January 10th at 10 PM”
“Turn this listing description into a short two sentence blurb for a newsletter email to past clients featuring new listings.”
As real estate agents, there can be endless tasks filling your days without a paycheck guaranteed. Time is your most valuable asset, so use it wisely. Don’t be afraid to play around with AI and you might just find a few more minutes of your day to focus elsewhere.
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About the Author
👩🏼💻 Katy Peer writes about all things content, marketing, and real estate branding. She is the Head of Content Marketing for SellWell, lead editor for The Well, and a former copywriter and senior editor for a spattering of tech and media brands. Find her articles on social media, writing agent bios, and more here on The Well.