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Understanding Real Estate ‘Lingo’

Terry Riffe | May 12, 2015

Understanding Real Estate 'Lingo'If you are not familiar with real estate ‘lingo’, searching through listings may seem as though you are reading greek. Most real estate agents use abbreviations in describing their properties. Once you understand these abbreviations, you will be reading through them with confidence. There are many abbreviations but the following list includes the more common ones in use.

~ac, a/c – air conditioning
~aek -all electric kitchen
~appls – appliances
~ba – bathroom
~br – bedroom
~ca, cac – central air conditioning
~cath ceil – cathedral ceiling
~c-d-s – cul de sac
~c/h – central heat
~c/vac – central vacuum
~cp – carport
~d/d – dishwasher and a garbage disposal
~dk – deck
~det – detached garage
~dr/fdr – dining room or a formal dining room
~fag – forced air gas
~f/fin bsmt – fully finished basement
~fp, fplc or frplc – fireplace
~fsbo – for sale by owner
~gar – garage
~gard – garden
~grmet kit – gourmet kitchen
~grt rm – great room
~hdw, hwf, hdwd – hardwood floors
~hi ceils – high ceilings
~kit – kitchen
~la – living area
~lr – living room
~ofc – office
~osp – off street parking is available
~pl, sp or s/p – swimming pool
~pvt – private
~pwdr rm – powder room or half bath
~q pos – quick possession
~smart – this means a computer controls some electronic devices like heating and cooling, alarms and lights
~spac – spacious
~upr – upper floor
~vw, vws, vu, vus – view or views
~wd, w/d – washer and dryer
~wic – walk in closet

For Buyers, there are a few abbreviations or catch phrases that may stand for something you do not want. Following is a list that you may want to pay special attention to.

~close to or convenient to – things are too close
~compact, cottage or modest – very small
~DIY or fixer upper – needs a lot of work
~efficiency kitchen – barely room for one person
~intimate – very small
~interesting, unique or retro – this could mean big bucks to remodel or at least repaint unless you like shag carpet or avocado green appliances
~mature garden – it’s never been pruned or weeded
~manageable yard – owners didn’t spend much time on it

Okay, so that last part may have been a little ‘tongue in cheek’, but it probably got your attention. It is important that you understand what is being listed in real estate ads you are viewing. This will save you a lot of time and aggravation. If you have any questions, or if I can be of any further assistance – please feel free to phone me at (407) 800-0888 or email an@orlandovacationrealty.com.