Residential real estate is all about homes and housing, but the terms house and home are often used interchangeably and they can mean or imply different things.

In the copywriting article [The seven irrefutable laws of sizzling sales copy [SiteTube]](http://sitetube.com/web-writing/the-seven-irrefutable-laws-of-sizzling-sales-copy.shtml) a number of examples are provided:

“Cost” versus “investment;”
“Beautiful teeth” versus “beautiful smiles;”
“Skinny” versus “slim” or “slender;”
“Products” or “services” versus “solutions;”
“Cost-effective” versus “return on investment;”
And “house” versus “home.”

Again, words are not messages in themselves. They have different meanings to each of us and can be interpreted differently. While many words can be used to communicate a single message, the words you choose can dramatically alter its emotional impact. In copywriting, it is not so much the message that’s important but the meaning behind it that is.

I used a definition of each to illustrate the subtle difference between them. Their use is not mutually exclusive but its important to be aware of their differences.

* [Home](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=home) – A place where one lives; a residence. (Interpretation: There is more of an emotional component to this word and it is more often used when incorporated into selling a property.)

* [House](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=house) – A structure serving as a dwelling for one or more persons, especially for a family. (Interpretation: This is a more clinical description of a physical unit that provides shelter.)

Ever wonder why the NAR uses the word “home” in all their stats like [Existing Home Sales](http://www.realtor.org/research.nsf/pages/EHSPage?OpenDocument) and the Census Bureau uses “house” in their stats like the [New Residential Sales Index (pdf)](http://www.census.gov/const/newressales.pdf) does?