Everyone selling a home wants their home to sell, and they are out to make their home sound as wonderful as possible, even though, by law, they must also iterate its flaws. When reading about homes for sale, it takes a discerning eye and mind to translate what is basically marketing-speak into plain speech. Sometimes a description will be a perfect fit, and sometimes they may seem to be whitewashing. As long as an advertisement does not actively seek to mislead, it isn't illegal. Your job as a potential buyer is to read between the lines.

Sometimes...

• "Cozy" means teeny-tiny to the point that your furniture might not fit in the new home.
• "As-is" means that the current owner won't fix anything, including parts of the home that don't pass inspection.
• "Bright and sunny" means there is no shade or sun protection, no trees nearby, or unbearably hot in summer.
• "Walking-distance" (to shops, schools, etc.) means it's right in the middle of commercial zones.
• "FROG" (family room over garage) means that it was a later addition that may or may not have been built to code and inspected
• "Fixer-upper" means the house is in a terrible state of disrepair, has been abandoned or is very old
• "Remodeled" just means a coat of paint and new fixtures

Beyond simply looking the house over, consider whether or not it matches others in the area in quality and price. Consider what you might be overlooking in the house if your attention is consistently being diverted to one feature. Identify the words that appeal to you and ascertain what they really mean, so the next time you read an ad, you won't fall for the window dressing and fresh coat of paint.