Low risksex

Can you say "man cave / she shed" in a real estate listing?

Low risk, but gendered terms can read as a preference. A neutral term is easy.

Why it gets flagged

"Man cave", "she shed" and "bachelor pad" attach a room or a property to a gender. They are rarely the basis of a formal complaint, but they add nothing a neutral description does not, and they can make some readers feel the home is not meant for them.

Name the space by what it is: bonus room, workshop, studio, game room.

Instead of

The finished basement makes a great man cave.

Write

The finished basement makes a great bonus space.

What to say instead

  • bonus space
  • game room
  • workshop
  • finished basement with a flexible layout

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Related phrases

7 phrases to stop using in listings

A one-page guide with the neutral wording to use instead.

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General information, not legal advice. Fair Housing rules, MLS rules and local law vary; your broker and an attorney are the authorities. The phrase check is rule-based and cannot catch everything.