Abbreviations

Residential real estate abbreviations are neccesary in order to fit important information in the limited amount of space provided in classified ads or MLS data sheets.

While some abbreviations are obvious and easy to translate, others will challenge the limits of your imagination.

An exaggerated example of a classified ad you might encounter:

Irvington - 4 BR, 2.5 BTH, CH COL, LR W/FPL CC & SKYLT, FDR, MEIK, MBR W/BTH W/WHRLPL, FIN BSMT, CAC, AT-2 CAR GAR

The following is a list of abbreviations commonly found in ads & on MLS data sheets in the New York area.

This "glossary" should enable you to interpret even the most ridiculous ads ... like the one above.

1 CAR GAR: 1 car garage
A/C: air conditioning
AT-GAR: attached garage
BALC: balcony
BR: bedroom
BSMT: basement
BTH: bath (full bath)
CAC (CEN A/C): central air conditioning
CAHS: carriage house
CC (CATH CLGS): cathedral ceilings
CFAN: ceiling fan
CH COL: center hall colonial
COL: colonial
DA: dining area
DCK: deck
DISP: garbage disposal
DR: dining room
DR OPENER: garage door opener
DRYR: clothes dryer
DT-GAR: detached garage
DW: dishwasher
EH: entry hall
EIK: eat-in kitchen
EST SQFT: estimated square footage
FDR: formal dining room
FIN BSMT: finished basement
FPL (FPLC): fireplace
FR (FAM RM): family room
FDR: formal dining room
GRDN: garden
GRHSE: greenhouse
GUES COT: guest cottage
H/HA: heat: forced hot air
H/HW (HWTR): heat: hot water
HND/ACC: handicapped accessible
HW FLRS: hardwood floors
ICOM: intercom
LIB: library
LITE FXT: light fixture
LNDRY: laundry
LR: living room
MBR: master bedroom
MEIK: modern eat-in kitchen
PIC WNDW: picture window
PKG (PRKG): parking
PR (PWDRM): powder room (1/2 bath)
PRVT private
RVR VW river view
SCRN: window screens
SGD: sliding glass door
SKYLT: skylight
SPLT LVL: split level
SPRKL SY: sprinkler system
SROCK: sheet rock
STRM: storm windows
W/ : with
W/W : wall to wall carpeting
WBFPL: wood burning fireplace
WHRLPL: whirlpool (Jacuzzi)
WIC: walk-in closet
WLKOUT BSMT: walk-out basement
WNDTRMT: window treatment
WNDW: window
WSHR: clothes washer

William Boeckelman