Living in a world with abbreviations. First in fairness to disclosure, one of my pet peeves is carrying on communications peppered with abbreviations in writing emails or in blog posts or just in conversation, I find it ‘rude’, ‘condescending’ and most of all ‘annoying’.
Every profession has their ‘short cuts’, Real Estate has more than its share. Here in California we have so many forms that I find it is in bad form when people constantly communicate in abbreviations. I am not going to bore you with all of them, rather I will use just use one as an example.
“…Please return the SVLQF completed so the buyer and his agent can read and execute…” The proper way to communicate with abbreviations is First state the form: Seller’s Vacant Land Questionnaire Form (SVLQF) then in parenthesis use the abbreviations (SVLQF), the first time and after that it is acceptable to use the abbreviations.
I find that by using the above protocol it leaves no confusion and the other party does not feel offended or more so ‘talked’ down to. Keep in mind buyers and sellers generally do not deal with these forms day in and day out, rather just occasionally. I can assure you that the forms change every few years so it will be “new” to a potential buyer or a seller, since the last time they did a transaction.
In case you are wondering what brought this about? Well let me fill you in. Before I decide to cook any meal, I do a cursory check on the internet and glance at various recipes, then I go to my cookbooks and ultimately come up with my own version. Well the other day, I was looking at a recipe for a dish on the Internet. I started reading it and in at least three places I found this ingredient ‘EVOO’. Now keep in mind cooking is a passion for me.
I have many cookbooks and have receive numerous recipes from friend and I have searched the internet more often than I care to admit it, but I have never noticed this ingredient “EVOO”. Now I was intrigued and annoyed at the same time. I started wondering what I could substitute this item, in case I absolutely need to.
I immediately went to my laptop and discovered that EVOO is an abbreviation for Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Now with that said I was more annoyed at the poor form this particular person used in describing her recipe. Ironically it turned out, her recipe was mediocre to lousy at best. I managed to correct and season the dish properly that we all could enjoy it.
So, with that said, if you are looking to properly communicate with your audience, please take the time and use this technique of communication: spell out the word the first time and put in parenthesis the abbreviated version and then and only then use it in the body of your writing.
Now if you are looking for a greater Los Angeles Realtor who will communicate with you clearly. Please reach out to me directly.
If you are considering buying or selling a home, a luxury home, luxury investment real estate, luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, feel free to contact me at310.486.1002 (m) or homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at http://www.endrebarath.com. I am a Pet Friendly Realtor and I contribute a portion of my commission to local animal rescue organizations.
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