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Translating MLS-ese into English

By Eileen Landau

Real Estate Agent with BAIRD & WARNER, NAPERVILLE

September 19, 2006 12:30 PM

So, we get comfortable with all the abbreviations that are on our MLS. Our buyers don't.

Here's an actual email from a confused buyer:

"What does 2.2 bathrooms mean?"

Hi Shontel,

2.2 means 2 full bathrooms (shower or tub)

2 powder rooms (NO shower/tub)

2.1 is what most homes have

I bet that the half bath is in the basement. That's where I'd put mine.

"Thank you! I would have never figured that one out! I thought it was a typo-LOL!! HAAHAHAH"

So, we should never take anything for granted, should we?

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Ben Kakimoto

Keller Williams Greater Seattle - Seattle, WA

Seattle Condo Specialist

Our MLS has strange calculations for bathrooms as well. Say a house as 1 full bath, a 3/4 bath and a 1/2 bath...we need to enter 2.25 bath rooms (1 + .75 + .5). When buyer's see that, they always ask what's a 1/4 bath.

Sep 19, 2006 03:00 PM

Bonnie Erickson

Tangletown Realty - Saint Paul, MN

Every MLS is different. Our MLS requires we input how many full baths (sink, toilet, and tub), 3/4 (sink, toilet, shower), half baths (sink, toilet), and 1/4 baths (usually a toilet in the basement). The program then calculates the total number based on the total number of baths (2 - 3/4 baths + 2 - 1/2 baths = 4 baths). The most questions I get from clients is "What is a 1/4 bath?" It is funny when you see one . . . many times it's a stool sitting in the middle of an old basement with no walls to make it private! But, if "ya gotta go, ya gotta go!"

Sep 19, 2006 04:41 PM

Eileen Landau

BAIRD & WARNER, NAPERVILLE - Naperville, IL

ABR, CRS, e-PRO

Oh Bonnie,

we had a 1/4 "bath." We lived in an old home (built in 1906) in Des Moines...and right under the stairs was this potty.

And, yeah, when the second floor potty was being used...trust me you ran down those stairs quickly!

Sep 20, 2006 04:09 AM