How To Decipher Real Estate Ad Acronyms
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Experts share with NY1 what all the acronyms in real estate listings can mean. NY1's Real Estate reporter Jill Urban filed the following report. Real estate brokers rely on acronyms in newspapers listings to save space, but readers often have to rely on their imaginations to figure out what they mean. It’s like deciphering a code.
"The code originated back when we used to put everything in print and every line cost money, so they decided to cut the phrasing and make them into little acronyms," says Senior Vice President Victoria Shtainer of Prudential Douglas Elliman.
Some brokers broke down for NY1 a few acronyms commonly found in listings.
"Some of the ones to describe the space would be 'Formal Dining Room' -- FDR, or 'Office' -- OFC, 'Eat-In Kitchen' -- EIK or 'High Ceilings' -- HCLS. Things like that," says Jorden Tepper, the executive director of Century 21 New York Metro.
MBR means "master bedroom" and WIC means "Walk-In Closet."
Other acronyms describe some of the homes' assets.
"You’ll see HW for 'Hardwood,' you’ll see DW for 'Dishwasher,' WD for 'Washer-Dryer,' SS for 'Stainless Steel,'" says Scott Klein, an associate broker for Prudential Douglas Elliman. "Sometimes you see different codes for same thing, like CA or CAC can be 'Central Air Conditioning.' Sometimes 'Views' can be VWS or VUS."
Acronyms are not standardized and are all up to the broker.
Still others describe the status of the listing.
"FSBO -- 'For Sale By Owner,' or OBO -- 'Or Best Offer,' or in case of an owner willing to extend a 'Lease Option,' you’ll see LO," says Tepper. "Or unfortunately in today’s market, you might see REO, which is 'Real Estate-Owned,' and that infers it's been foreclosed on and bank-owned."
OH is for an "Open House" and EXCL is for an "Exclusive" listing.
Some brokers admit they too can be left scratching their heads.
Aside from acronyms, there are also the euphemisms that brokers rely on. They may say "cozy" but mean "small." They may say "retro" but mean old. The next Real Estate report will have the experts decipher that code as well.