How to Read Home Listings

Does it ever seem like you need an interpreter to translate a real estate listing acronyms and abbreviations? Don't worry, help is here when you need to understand home listings.

There's a good reason real estate listings are often devoid of vowels and full of odd abbreviations and acronyms. They're written with quite a few abbreviations to save space.

Case in point: an ad that says "Prvt 3bd, 2ba, fdr, ofc, wbfp, CAC" costs a lot less than "Private, three bedroom, two bathroom house with a formal dining room, office, wood-burning fireplace and central air conditioning."

Use our translation guide to help decode the lingo:

  • AC or A/C: air conditioning
  • aek: all electric kitchen
  • appls: appliances
  • ba: bathroom
  • br: bedroom
  • 4/3: four bedrooms, three bathrooms (could also appear as 4B/3B, or as 4/3/2 for four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a two-car garage)
  • CA, CAC, CH and C/VAC: central air, central air conditioning, central heat and central vacuum
  • cath ceil: cathedral ceiling
  • c-d-s: cul de sac
  • cp: carport
  • d/d: dishwasher and garbage disposal unit
  • det: detached
  • dr/fdr: dining room, formal dining room
  • DIY: do-it-yourselfer or fixer-upper
  • eff kit: efficiency kitchen
  • eh: house with ensuite
  • eik: eat-in kitchen
  • fag: forced air gas
  • f/fin bsmt: fully finished basement
  • fin w/o: finished walk-out
  • fplc/fp or wbfp: fireplace, wood-burning fireplace
  • FSBO: for sale by owner
  • grmet kit: gourmet kitchen
  • grt rm: great room
  • hdwd or h/w: hardwood floors
  • HUD: Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • la: living area
  • lr: living room
  • neg: price is negotiable
  • ofc: office
  • oh: open house
  • osp: off-street parking
  • owc: owner will compromise
  • pl, sp or s/p: swimming pool
    prvt: private or secluded
  • q pos: quick possession
  • rf: roof
  • sf: square feet
  • smart: a computer controls the lights, appliances, heat, cooling and alarm
  • spac: spacious
  • w/d or wd: washer/dryer
  • wic: walk-in closet
  • vus: views
Related Life123 Articles

If you're moving to a new city, do some homework ahead of time to find the location and the home that's right for you and follow a few house buying tips.

House hunting is a lot easier when you search online for a home listing. But searching for an online real estate listing can also help you do much more than find the right house to buy. It can also be a valuable resource if you're thinking about selling your home or even if you aren't thinking about moving at all.

Frequently Asked Questions on Ask.com
More Related Life123 Articles

Buying into a good neighborhood is the best way to ensure that a home is likely to retain its value. But besides location, there are the other factors that ensure a home with good resale value.

When shopping for a new home stay within your budget, find a location close to work, find a house that your can call home, and choose features wisely.

Are you planning on buying a home in another part of the country? If so, check out the top six real estate sites for buying a home. Web sites for buying real estate might save you time and effort.

Answers Partner Sites: Ask Answers  |  Kids Answers  |  Ask How-To  |  Reference Answers  |  Life123 Answers  |  GardenandHearth Answers
Partner Sites: Insider Pages  |  MerchantCircle  |  Urbanspoon  |  Ask Kids  |  Thesaurus
© 2012 Life123, Inc. All rights reserved. An IAC Company