The Great Debate: Should Floor Plans Be on Every Real Estate Listing?

Have you ever thought about how much technology is changing the way we buy and sell homes these days? It’s wild, and today we’re diving into something that’s stirring up debate in the real estate world: should floor plans be on every single listing?

You might think it’s only relevant if you’re house hunting right now, but the trends we’re unpacking today have implications that go way beyond that. As a home inspector, I've seen firsthand how adding floor plans can be beneficial, but also how it could present challenges. Let’s break it down.

The Case for Floor Plans

The Case for Floor Plans Many argue that the U.S. is behind compared to other countries when it comes to making floor plans a standard part of real estate listings. In places like Australia, the U.K., and Scandinavian countries, floor plans are a given. Buyers expect to see them, and not having them available is seen as holding the market back.

Including floor plans adds an extra layer of transparency that benefits everyone—buyers, sellers, and agents alike. But why are floor plans such a big deal? And why have we decided to offer this as a new service?

Think about how you look at houses online. You scroll through photos, trying to piece together the layout in your mind. Does the living room connect well with the kitchen? Will your couch fit in that space? It's a guessing game, and that's where floor plans can make a world of difference. They provide a clear picture of the flow of the house, room sizes, and how everything connects—cutting through the guesswork and making the whole process more efficient. By offering floor plan services, we're aiming to provide this valuable information to our clients and help streamline the home buying and selling process.

The Demand for Transparency

Surveys of homebuyers consistently show that floor plans are one of the top features people want to see on listings. The demand is there, but the U.S. real estate market has been slow to adapt.

Several groups could help make floor plans a standard feature. Real estate photographers, for instance, are already at the property taking photos—adding a floor plan wouldn’t be a huge extra step. Real estate agents also have a role to play. Including floor plans can help listings stand out and provide buyers with valuable information upfront, saving everyone time. It’s about giving a higher level of service and making the house hunting process as smooth as possible.

Finally, Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) could support the movement by promoting transparency and making floor plans a standard part of listings. It’s not enough for just a handful of agents or photographers to adopt this—if the change is going to happen, it has to be widespread.

Potential Downsides of Too Much Transparency

Of course, there are potential downsides. More information isn’t always better if it highlights aspects of a home that might turn buyers away before they even see the place in person. A quirky layout, an odd-shaped room, or a flow that’s a little different can look worse on paper than it feels in person. Sometimes those unique features are what give a home its charm, but if buyers are put off by a floor plan, they might miss out on seeing the potential in person.

Plus, a floor plan is just a flat image—it doesn’t show the light in a room, the height of the ceilings, or the overall feel of the space. It’s a useful tool, but it’s not the complete picture. Buyers still need to visit a property to fully understand its character.

The Bigger Picture

Whether floor plans on every listing become the standard remains to be seen, but the bigger point here is about how technology is shaping the real estate market. As technology evolves, so does the buying and selling process, and we need to think about how these changes affect us.

Next time you’re browsing listings, pay attention to what’s included—and what’s missing. Would a floor plan make your decision easier? Would it give you a clearer picture of whether a house is right for you? These are the questions that will help shape the future of home buying.

Until next time, happy house hunting and keep those brains buzzing!