Real Answers

Q: What do the acronyms and abbreviations mean in the home- for-sale newspaper ads?

A: The adage that a picture is worth a thousand words certainly holds true when home buyers are trying to decipher home listings.

While the writer of a recent newspaper classified advertisement was generous enough to describe their home as “impeccably maintained,” others in the same paper save space (and advertising charges) by relying on the words clean, rmdl or updates. Note that such terms do not convey the same meaning, so be sure to ask exactly what is meant by the seller.

Here are some abbreviations and the meaning of each, taken from a recent newspaper classified section.

--assum. fin.: Assumable financing.

--dk: Deck.

--expansion pot’l: May be extra space on the lot, or possibly vertical potential exists for a top floor.

--fab pentrm: Fabulous pentroom, a room on top, underneath the roof, that sometimes has views.

--FDR: Formal dining room.

--FSBO: Home is offered for sale by the owner, not through a realty agent.

--grmet kit: Gourmet kitchen.

--HDW, HWF, Hdwd: Hardwood floors.

--hi ceils: High ceilings.

--In-law potential: Potential for a separate apartment.

--lsd pkg.: Leased parking area, may come with an additional cost.

--lo dues: Find out just how low these homeowner’s dues are.

--pvt: Private.

--pwdr rm: Powder room or half-bath.

--upr: Upper floor.

--vw, vu, vws, vus: View(s).

--Wow!: Better check this one out.