Real Estate abbreviations you need to know…
One of the most common questions I get asked when touring buyers through homes is “what are elfs and why are they coming with the house?”
Realtors only have a limited number of characters for fields on listings, so when there’s a long list of features that come with a house, we have to get creative in how we list that on MLS. Here’s a quick overview of some of the most common abbreviations Realtors use. If you’ve come across one and it’s not listed here, please comment!
ELFs – electric light fixtures
B/I – “built in”
W/D – washer and dryer
SS – stainless steel (ususally used before the rest of the kitchen abbreviations:)
- ELFs – electric light fixtures
- B/I – “built-in” (usually used before the dishwasher or bookshelves)
- W/D – washing machine and dryer
- SS – Stainless steel (usually used before listing the kitchen appliances)
- F, S, D/W, MI – fridge, stove, dishwasher, microwave. Range hoods generally aren’t listed and are not guaranteed to be included.
- CAC – central air conditioning
- CVAC (and att) – central vacuum and attachments
- GDO+R – Garage door opener(s) and remote(s)
- HWT – hot water tank – occasionally you’ll find these owned by the homeowner and not rented
- R/I – “roughed in”, meaning the wiring/plumbing is there, but the item needs to be installed, like a basement bathroom
- Owner is RREA or LA is related to RREA – The listing realtor is the home owner, or the listing agent is related to the homeowner. This is important to note as the realtor has an emotional attachment and/or might not be making much – if anything – as a commission on the sale.
- UFFI – Ureaformaldehyde – it was a type of spray insulation used in many homes built in the 70′s that was proven to emit a harmful toxin over time that homeowners were inhaling. Removal is costly and dangerous. Prolonged exposure of formaldehyde leads to a variety of “allergen”-type conditions, but was also proven to cause cancer in some cases. Generally, most UFFI in homes that hasn’t been removed today has likely stopped emitting formaldehyde and is safe, but still a concern – and costly to remove – nonetheless. Talk to your Realtor and home inspector for more information
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