Know the Lingo: Tips for Reading Real Estate Listings

This glossary may help ease some of the confusion. It includes terms and definitions suggested by Mary L. Chamberlin, President of the Upper Valley Board of REALTORS®. Now as you scope out a new listing, you’ll know what it all means. In fact, you might want to print this out and tuck it with your home-search materials.      

• ARM: Adjustable Rate Mortgage is a type of loan where the interest rate varies according to market conditions.
• Bathrooms: A full bathroom has a toilet, sink, and bathtub, a three-quarter bathroom has a toilet, sink, and shower, and a half bathroom has only a toilet and sink. (Pwdr rm refers to a powder room or half bathroom.)
• Closing costs: Miscellaneous expenses paid by the buyer and seller when the home’s sale is complete; these include the brokerage commission, mortgage-related fees, the attorney’s settlement charges, transfer taxes, recording fees, and title insurance.
• CMA: A Comparable Market Analysis is a report put together by your Realtor® that shows the prices of recently sold houses or houses for sale that are comparable to the one you’re interested in buying (also known as “comps”).
• Contingency: Provisions that need to be met (such as a home inspection) before the sales agreement becomes legally binding.
• Dk: Deck
• EIK: Eat-in kitchen
• FDR: Formal dining room.
• FRM: Fixed rate mortgage, when the interest rate does not change for the life of the mortgage.
• Fixture: Anything permanently attached to or a part of the property, such as carpeting, light fixtures, window coverings, and landscaping.
• FP, frplc, fplc: Fireplace
• FSBO: For sale by owner
• Gar: Garage
• Grmet kit: Gourmet kitchen
• HDW: Hardwood floors
• Hi ceils: High ceilings
• HOA: Home Owners Association
• Home Warranty: A type of insurance that covers certain home-system repairs (heating and air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, appliances, for example) if they break down.
• In-law pot’l: There is potential for the creation of a separate apartment depending on local zoning restrictions.
• Loan Origination Fee: The fee charged by a lender for processing a new loan. The fee can vary from lender to lender.
• LR: Living room
• Lsd pkg: Leased parking area
• MLS: Multiple Listing Service is an organization that compiles information about homes listed for sale by its real estate broker members.
• Pot’l: Potential
• Pvt: Private
• REALTOR®: A real estate broker or sales associate who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. Not all real estate agents are REALTORS®.
• Short Sale: A property where the homeowner’s lender is helping them avoid foreclosure by allowing them to sell the house for less than what is owed on the mortgage.
• Title Insurance: A policy that protects against any claims made on the property’s title.
• W/D: Washer and dryer
• W/W crpt: Wall-to-wall carpeting       

Test your lingo, check out these 3 local listings!

7 Weatherby Road Hanover, NH 03755

($895,000) Four bedroom, five bath contemporary home in original vintage located in the highly desirable west end of downtown Hanover. This one-level residence has been freshly painted, boasts a convenient mudroom/laundry area, large eat-in kitchen with center island and breakfast nook with VT Castings gas stove, light filled living/dining room with expansive windows, wet bar and wood burning fireplace, and master suite with large walk in closet. Separate wing with two additional bedrooms (one with fireplace), family room with kitchenette and second entrance. Attached two-car garage with a one-bedroom apartment above. This west-end home is situated on just over a half acre lot with privacy hedges, lawn, brick patio for outdoor entertaining, stonewalls, and local southeasterly views. Property abuts the preserved Mink Brook West land that links to the 112-acre Mink Brook Nature Preserve. Just a short walk to Hanover’s Main Street, restaurants and shops. This home is ready for move in with modifications or chose to build your dream home in this highly desirable location.

108 Blueberry Hill Drive Hanover, NH 03755

($459,000) Delightfully practical home in wonderful residential neighborhood. Two large living spaces, newly renovated gourmet kitchen, sunset views to the west. First floor master, and a total of four bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a large office and expansion potential. Walkout lower level and super deck for summer dining. Neighborhood abuts trails. Paved roads. Subject to Blueberry Hill covenant.

138 Etna Road Hanover, NH 03755

 

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All images courtesy of Realtor.com.