If you’ve ever searched for a home or condo for sale in Chicago, then you of course have scanned through dozens of home listings on the MLS. And contrary to what the property description reads for each home, not every condo in Chicago sits on a “quiet tree-lined street” or is an “amazing opportunity.” We see clichés in many aspects of life, but because I work in the business every day, I seem to get a kick out of real estate clichés the most. Real estate clichés exists for every market, but I’ve listed a few below that I tend to see most in downtown Chicago:

1)      A short walk to restaurants, cafés, shopping!

A condo located a short distance from McDonalds, Little Caesars Pizza, and Dollar Tree may technically mean a short walk to restaurants and shopping, but I certainly wouldn’t say this makes a particular location desirable. But I will say that the $5 Hot & Ready deal Little Caesars has going is pretty awesome.   

2)      Close to transportation

I think someone needs to come up with a universal definition for “close to transportation.” Note to all real estate agents: a 25 minute walk to the “L” is not close to transportation.

3)      Private Outdoor Space

Everyone loves summers in Chicago. And because of this, outdoor space is a highly sought after condo amenity. However, if a balcony attached to a condo isn’t even big enough to fit a single patio chair, I’m thinking that might not be the determining factor in whether or not a buyer wanting outdoor space will pull the trigger on an offer sheet--but I've been known to be wrong.

4)      Quiet, Tree-Lined Street

Yes, some of these actually exist in Chicago. But if you can’t at least handle an occasional cab driving by, neighbors walking their dog, or a few individuals staggering home late on a Friday or Saturday night, what exactly are you doing living in the city? A tip to all home buyers looking in Chicago: don't take this literally.     

5)      Gorgeous Lake Views!

If you happen to come across a listing with “gorgeous lake views” or something similar and the listing fails to include photos of these views, it should be your first clue that these so-called spectacular, breathtaking, incredible views are nothing more than just a small glimpse of Lake Michigan between 2 spectacular, breathtaking, incredibly huge……..buildings. But hey, a lake view is a lake view afterall; even if you need binoculars to enjoy it.

6)      Boasting

Yes, as real estate agents, we all use some form of “boasting” occasionally. You know, such and such condo boasts high-end finishes, etc. But one can’t argue that perhaps we may just use this term a little too frequently. And by that, I mean it’s completely and unneccesarily over-used.  

7)      Opportunity Knocks

This needs no explanation; it’s just annoying.

8)      European appliances

Seriously, why is “European appliances” a huge selling point in today’s real estate market? If the appliances in a condo are stainless steel, look nice in the kitchen, and are at least name brand, who cares where each was manufactured?

9)      Open Floor Plan

It’s no secret that many of today’s home buyers want an open layout. But has anyone else noticed that some real estate agents are starting to use the term open floor plan quite loosely? I just saw a listing yesterday in which the kitchen had small opening looking out to the main living space and this was considered to be an “open floor plan.” Well, at least to whoever decided to write that particular property description. If you can't walk between the kitchen and living room without going through a doorway, guess what? It's not an open-floor plan! 

10)   Priced to sell

Isn’t every home “priced to sell?” If not, what’s it even doing on the market?