How to Understand a Real Estate Advertisement

Real estate advertisements are essential to home sellers, buyers and real estate agents. They explain information about properties, but sometimes acronyms and abbreviations are used due to space limitations in the publication. A quick lesson in real estate ad speak will put you on your way to understanding real estate ads like a pro.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Learn the real estate language by visiting websites that contain a glossary of terms, such as Realtor.com or the Marie Burroughs School of Real Estate website. WIC (walk-in closet), SF (square feet) and AEK (all-electric kitchen) are important acronyms to know.

2. Ask a real estate agent to explain certain descriptions. Many times, descriptions are deceiving, and the seller is trying to lure a buyer.

3. Look for the things listed that interest you, such as the number of bedrooms (BR) and bathrooms (BA), fireplace (FP) and formal dining room (FDR).

4. Notice if the property is listed with an agent or for sale by owner (FSBO) and whether or not it has assumable financing (Assum. Fin.).

5. Read the ads carefully and compare descriptions with other property advertisements.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't take all the descriptions at face value. A "cozy cottage" could be real estate ad speak for a tumbledown shack.

Resources

• Realtor.com has a guide to real estate lingo.
• The Marie Burroughs School of Real Estate website contains a list of real estate lingo from A to Z.
• The Texas Best website has an extensive glossary of terms, abbreviations and acronyms.