ESL Podcast 546 - Having an Open House

real estate agent - a person whose job is to help other people buy and sell homes, buildings, and land

We gave our real estate agent a list of the three most important things we're looking for in a new home: a short distance to work, three large bedrooms, and a big backyard for the kids to play in.

open house - an event where people can come into a home that is for sale to walk through it, learn about it, and decide whether they would like to buy it

They've had an open house every Sunday for the past month, but they haven't found a buyer yet.

to look over (one's) shoulder - to closely watch another person's work; to pay careful attention to what another person is doing, especially when that person doesn't want to be watched

Please stop looking over my shoulder! I work much better when I'm left alone.

lookie-loo - a person who wants to see what is happening, especially when he or she doesn't really need to see it

Whenever there's an accident, traffic slows down because of all the lookie-loos who slow down to get a better view as they drive by.

sign-in sheet - a piece of paper where every attendee or participant writes his or her name and/or contact information, so that there is a record of who was there

Please put your name, email address, and telephone number on the sign-in sheet when you come into the conference room.

stager - a person whose job is to make a home look its best so that it can be sold more easily

The stager took down all their family photographs and hung landscape paintings instead.

cosmetic repair - something that improves the appearance of a house or building without actually making it stronger or safer

They spent all their money on cosmetic repairs, fixing the cabinets and painting the walls, but they really need to fix the roof and the fireplace.

to de-clutter - to reduce the number of things that are visible in a room; to put things away; to clear the surfaces of tables and counters

This house would look so much better if you de-cluttered it, hiding all the toys, dishes, magazines, pictures, and other small things.

landscaping - the combination of plants, flowers, trees, grass, and rocks used to make a garden or yard beautiful

Which city parks have the best landscaping?

to show up - to appear; to arrive; to come to a particular event or place

What time did your parents show up at the house?

fact sheet - a piece of paper with detailed information about something

According to this fact sheet, the museum was built in 1924 and has about 4,000 visitors each day.

square footage - the number of square feet in a particular area; the size of a building or a piece of land

I hope our next house has less square footage because I'm tired of cleaning so much space!

lot - the land that a building sits on; the land owned by a homeowner or building owner

They've decided to buy an empty lot and then build their own home on it.

addition - a section of a home or other building that has been added to the original structure

They're saving money for an addition because they want two more bedrooms and an extra bathroom for their growing family.

permitted - with all the necessary permits, permission, and documentation; having followed all the laws, rules, and regulations

My construction crew only works on permitted projects.

upgrade - an improvement in a home, usually replacing an old appliance with a newer appliance, or installing a very nice and expensive countertop or light fixtures

Francine paid extra for all the upgrades, including a marble bathtub and granite countertops.