Hi there,

I am having a debate with my seller's agents (they work as a team of 2). We have brand new 3/4 inch oak floors throughout the upstairs of our house. As far as my husband and I are concerned, oak is a hardwood. We have checked the definition of hardwood and online dictionary listings, etc, which all seem to support our claim. We have done much woodworking in our past and oak has always been referred to as a hardwood in that world.

Our agent team however is steadfast in their opinion that they can only list our oak floors as "wood floors" and not "hardwood floors". They claim that in realtor lingo the only tree species that can be listed as hardwood are teak, maple, mahagony and cherry.

Can you please let us know what you think about the issue? Can we list our new floors as the more desirable "hardwood floor"? I have tried to find a specific "realtor definition" of hardwood floor wood species on the web, but to no avail.

Thanks so much for your assistance!
/C

Well it could be the MLS binding them-though I have never heard of such a distinction.

You might determine if you are figthing them or their MLS on this. You can over rule them, but not the MLS.

If they are not repsonsive you can call the MLS to ask the specific question.

We have goofy stuff like that, but it is for your prtection really. It only takes one lawsuit to make you a believer.

I think you are probablly in the right, but I like to give the nod to your market professionals up there.

And the difference in marketing a home with wood floors vs. Harwood floors is negligable.

Here is a thought-leave the pamplets or invoice for the floors on the counter in a clear presentation sleave. Ask you agent to upload it as an attachment to the listing. Any interested party will see exactly what the floors are made of.

Cheers.

In our MLS the only choice for wood or woodlike flooring is "wood" and of course the other options; vinyl, ceramic, etc.
But... you can make any distinctions you feel important in the listing text or under broker remarks.

Hm. I always thought of oak as a hardwood! Very bizarre if you ask me.

Our MLS has only "Hardwood" and the others - carpet, vinyl, laminate, linoleum, and tile...nothing for just wood. It is not uncommon to see pine floors but they aren't hardwood.

IMHO, it should be just "wood" in the MLS.

Some floors are softwood, some are hard....and many people do not know the difference between oak, pine, cherry, or hickory anyway.

I remember arguing with my cousin - she got ripped off because she paid for oak interior doors and what was installed by the contractor were pine interior doors and she could not see the difference between oak and pine. She didn't believe me, and I got my husband to look at them - he is a carpenter/woodworker and former furniture refinisher, and as such, knows wood - she didn't believe him either, 'cause the bill said "oak," so that's what it was. LOL

Can you just have them put brand new 3/4 inch thick oak floors? I would like to get this book of Realtor lingo they are reading from. Lingo doesn't make it law. Though like Doin says I don't think it will matter much either way. A diserning buyer will see what it is. And if your agents have good pictures anyone looking at the listing will see you have wood floors. I've never had a buyer specifically say we will not buy a house with oak floors, but want cherry floors. Especially when it isn't a custom home they are building.

It may simply be, as it would be with our MLS, that the floor covering is obtained from a drop down menu and you don't get to be very specific . . . . it's going to be wood, ceramic, linoleum, vinyl, or carpet.

Detail remarks are required to then enhance the description of "wood" to differentiate your Oak Hardwood from other woods . . . . like Maple, Cherry, Pine, Plywood, Particle Board, or any other cellulose fiber material. All "wood" is not created equal, so sub-categories are required.

Personally, I like the warmth and natural texture of Particle Board; without paint . . . . but you get so many slivers with bare feet !

Suggest that your Agents put the Real Oak Hardwood Flooring in the remarks.