FROG? TLC? WBFP? What does the agent MEAN??

Deciphering Real Estate Ads

Over the weekend, I received a plea for help from a friend located in another state.  She'd been searching online for properties, and noticed acronyms that she just couldn't make out.  The one she finally gave in and called me on was FROG.  She was concerned that it was a new decorating style, like the roosters, chefs, or ducks that were popular!

In fact, it's generally a Finished Room Over Garage.

What other acronyms might you run across in real estate ads, why are they used, and what on earth could they mean?  

Originally the purpose of them was due to the high cost for real estate ads and the need to squeeze as much info into as cheap an ad as possible. Another reason was the limited number of characters original MLS systems allowed as well.    Hence the need to shorten terms.  

Here's some frequent ones you may run across:

FP = Fireplace
WBFP = Wood-burning fireplace
GFP = Gas fireplace
Kit = usually kitchen
W/O or WO= Walk-out (as in a walk-out basement)
V/O or VO = View-Out (as in basement, windows are above grade, view out onto yard)
BR = Bedroom
BA = Bathroom
FR = Family Room or Finished Room
BSMT = Basement
TLC = Tender Loving Care (needs work)
FIN or UNFIN = whether a basement is Finished or Unfinished
Det = Detached, as in a building not attached to the house, such as a detached garage
Gar = Garage :)
Mstr = Master, as in Master bath or Master bedroom
Hdwd or wd = generally referring to Hardwood floors or wood floors
Fam Rm = Family Room
Lg = Large
Bldg = Building
HWH = Hot water Heater
HBPP = Home Buyer Protection Plan
Mn Flr = Main Floor
CDS = Cul-de-Sac
Appl or Appl'd = Appliances or Applianced, generally referring to kitchen
DW = Dishwasher
OS = Oversized
Cpt = Carpet
DOM = Days On Market - how long a house has been listed for sale
TFLA, AGLA, BFA = Total Finished Living Area, which is a combination of Above Ground Living Area and Basement Finished Area

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