How to Read Real Estate listings like a pro

If you’re in the market for a home, you’ve probably spent your fair share of time pouring over real estate listings online or in newspapers. As a buyer, it’s very important to understand the lingo involved in listing a home so you know exactly what you are looking at. Instead of being surprised on the walkthrough, you can know the situation ahead of time.

Closing costs – This is an important term for all buyers to know. The closing costs are various expenses that need to be paid by the buyer and seller when the home comes out of escrow. These include things like the commissions, settlement fees and taxes.

Fixture – Fixtures are anything that are a permanent part of the property. Lights, wall to wall carpet, doors and window frames are all examples of fixtures on a property.

Lock Box – The lock box is a device that holds a key to the property. By getting the open code from the selling agent, a buying agent can access the home at anytime to show their clients the property.

Expansion pon’tl – Expansion potential is the ability for a home to be expanded at some point, whether through a convertible attic or extra space on the property for an addition to the home.

Since most newspaper ads and some online ads have character limits, real estate agents frequently use acronyms to save on space. These acronyms are important to understand.

CMA – This stands for comparative market analysis or competitive market analysis. The CMA report shows the prices of other homes in the area that have comparable stats. They were recently sold so it gives both parties an estimate of how much the house in question should be worth.

4B/2B – This particular version of this acronym stands for 4 bedrooms and 2 baths, but this can be used with any numbers to represent how many bedrooms and bathrooms a home has. A half bath has a toilet and sink and a ¾ bath has a toilet, sink and shower.

FDR – This is a formal dining room which differs from an eat-in kitchen where the dining area is attached to the kitchen.

HDW, HWF, Hdwd – These are all acronyms for hardwood floors, a very popular feature.

In addition to acronyms, you’ll also find abbreviations in listings that will help you determine qualities and amenities of the home.

Upr – This stands for upper floor.

Vw, vu, vws, vus – All of these mean that the house has a great view or views of the area.

Pvt – This means private.

Pwdr rm – This stands for powder room, another term for a half bath.

Frplc, fplc, FP – These are all acronyms for fireplace.

Gar - This is short for garage.

Gard – Not to be confused with gar, this term means garden.

Grmt kitchen – This stands for gourmet kitchen

Hi Ceils – These are high ceilings, a great feature of a home for sale.

All of these terms will help you understand and interpret real estate listings better. When you know exactly what you are looking at, it will make it a lot easier to decide whether or not you want to go forward with an official walkthrough. By arming yourself with this information you’ll be able to read listings like a pro.