Are you confused about real estate abbreviations or listing terminology? Do you feel like real estate agents are trying to confuse you with real estate terms and real estate acronyms?
Are real estate acronyms and abbreviations confusing you?
If you’re working with real estate brokers in the search of a new home, most likely you are receiving MLS® real estate listings via the new Keystone Matrix® system. My buyers are always asking me to explain what some of the real estate abbreviations or real estate terminology stands for, so I thought I might create this post to help everyone out.
Generally from the top of the listing sheet on down, here is the list of abbreviations
Real Estate Abbreviations List
DOM: Days On Market reflects how many days since the home has been listed by the agent
RD = Residential Detached. This is the most common type of house, the one most people think of when looking at homes.
SA = Single Attached (Side by Side). These are two residences which share one common wall. They are cheaper to build, and therefor less expensive to purchase as well
TH = Townhouse. Usually found in rows of 4, 6 or even more. One long building which has a number of separate homes. The end units share one wall, while all interior units actually share 2 common walls.
MH = Mobile Home. Generally means a home which is located in a mobile home park. Careful here, as a ‘mobile home’ might actually be firmly attached to a foundation, and thus become real property.
TAX AMOUNT: This is supposed to be the TOTAL GROSS property taxes, including all Education Taxes, Local Improvements etc. As an owner-occupant, you would qualify for a $700 Provincial Rebate
RMA: Means Rooms Above Ground level. This indicates the total number of rooms such as any formal dining room, kitchen and living room, but NOT bathrooms or powder room, etc.
BDA: Bedrooms Above Ground. Includes the master bedroom and all secondary bedrooms located above ground level
TBD: Total Bedrooms (including basement bedrooms). This is how you can tell how many bedrooms are in the basement. Simply subtract the BDA from the TBD and see that the basement has 2 bedrooms, for example. Careful here: Just because a property sellers are listing it as a bedroom, does not necessarily mean it fits the legal description of a bedroom.
FB: Number of full Bathrooms (a “FULL” bathroom has at least 3 pieces, so for example: toilet, sink and shower, or toilet, sink and tub)
HB: Number of half Bathrooms (a half bath might have only 1 piece, such as a toilet, or just a sink, but most often has 2 pieces)
EN: Ensuite, which refers to a bathroom that is accessible from a bedroom directly
Exterior: Refers to the exterior surface of the home’s walls. Most common in Winnipeg is stucco, but could also include brick, siding (including vinyl and aluminum siding) and wood.
Foundation: Most common is concrete, but older homes often feature STONE or sometimes Cinderblock or even brick. In the 1980s there was a fad for ‘Preserved Wood’ foundations.
Heating: Most common is ‘forced air’ which indicates central heat (preferred). Other options might be Hot Water (radiators) or electric (baseboard heaters).
Basement: Full. This means that the area size of the foundation is the same as the main floor. It does not mean the basement is finished, as this is indicated in another section.
Unfinished basement
Other options for the basement category are: crawl, slab, half and 3/4. Real estate professionals should be able to point out the differences, benefits and shortcomings, of each type of basement construction.
Square Feet: I’ve had clients try to add up all the room measurements of a listing, and come to the conclusion that the 1,200 ft home is really just 850 square feet. While they are correct, this is not how buildings are measured and advertised.
The proclaimed total square footage of a house is the OUTSIDE measurements which includes all 4-season living space, excluding the garage. It includes ONLY the areas above ground, so for example the main floor, second floor and third floor if there is one. It does NOT include the basement, UNLESS there is a crawl space under that part of the basement.
For further explanation, see this article on how homes are measured. and remember that different provinces and states might have different rules.
Garage – AT or DT. This refers to the car garage which can be either attached or detached. Confusion here sometimes as an ‘attached garage’ might be physically attached, but not have a direct door leading into the house.
S/S: Showings Start date. NO showings can occur BEFORE that date
OTP: Offer To Purchase date. That the is FIRST date when offers can be considered.
In addition to the above listing terms, you will probably come across many of the next acronyms used by the listing agent in their advertisements
Real Estate Acronyms
A/C or C/Air: Central Air Conditioning
APPL: Appliances (personal property)
ATT or DT: Attached or Detached also refers to single-family home vs. attached home.
CLG: Ceiling
C/Vac: Central Vacuum
CC: Clothes Closet or possibly “WICC” as in Walk-In Clothes Closet
AT/2 or DT/2: Attached double or detached double (as in garage)
HWFS and HWDS: Hardwood floors and simply Hardwoods
S/S or SS indicating stainless steel (as in appliances)
WDW: Windows
WDWK: Woodwork (as referring to baseboards and window casings)
Im hoping that this list of most common terms is of great value to you.
If you’re thinking of buying a house or a condo in Winnipeg, call me for a free buyer consultation. There is a lot of information which is difficult to convey in a blog post but I’d be happy to discuss in person.
Confused our stumped by other real estate listings abbreviations? Ask me in the comments, or email me anytime
Bo Kauffmann is a residential real estate agent with over 18 yrs experience in helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals. Inducted into the REMAX Hall of Fame in 2010 and receiving the REMAX Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Bo has sold over 500 houses and condos in the Greater Winnipeg market. He is an accredited buyer representative (A.B.R.) and a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist.
Bo provides exceptional service to First-Time Home-Buyers, Seniors looking to downsize and Home Sellers of all ages.
He can be reached easily By E-Mail or call/text him Call/Text Here Our Latest Web-Stories
Never miss an episode of our real estate podcast.
Install our FREE Podcast App available on iOS and Android.
For your Apple Devices, click here to install our iOS App.
For your Android Devices, click here to install our Android App.
Check my videos on Youtube
Effective and helpful tips to increase your property value. Whether you’re selling your home now, or in the future, finding ways to increase property value is in every home owners best interest. There are many renovations and improvements that will help, here are 5 effective things a seller can do to increase value…
It’s an often-reported fact that Winnipeg‘s population is aging, and as such, 55-plus condos were becoming quite popular. In fact, there are numerous advantages to owning a condo. However, the recent changes to the Condominium Act have made bylaws, which restrict ownership based on age, obsolete.
These were units with bylaws which state that the owner/occupant of the unit must be at least 55 years of age. (Some 55-plus condos have dropped this age requirement down to 50 yrs, in an effort to attract more buyers). Even though they are no longer technically allowed to discriminate based on age, there are still a number of condos where ownership is mostly the mature, even elderly persons. See the list at the bottom of this post.
For the right person, there are a number of advantages to these (formerly called) 55-plus condos. Here are a few:
1) Security
Many of these 55-plus condos are built with security in mind, sometimes with security cameras but almost always with good secure locks on well-lit entry ways.
2) Handicap accessible
Many buildings feature wider-than-normal hallways, doors and bathrooms, to allow access via wheelchair or walker.
3) “Community Spirit”
Quite often, the residents organize weekly pot-luck dinners, shopping trips, card-games and other outings.
4) “Birds of a Feather”
Since everyone in the building is 55 yrs or older, and most often retired, residents tend to have a lot in common, and friendships are made easily…. if you WANT to do so.
5) Conveniences
Local grocery stores often arrange weekly bus-trip to their shops. Some condos arrange for a local nurse to attend monthly, or bi-monthly for a general visit.
Amenities in 55-plus condos often include common rooms
6) Amenities
55-plus condominiums often feature amenities not found in regular condos. Things such as a library, a meeting room, a lounge with kitchen, a fitness room and more.
List of former 55-plus condos in Winnipeg
Although not officially able to maintain a 55-plus restriction, these condo communities should have a majority of elderly owners.
Home-owners who are thinking of selling their houses for a variety of reasons (want to travel, no more yardwork, security issues), but don’t feel they are ready for a retirement community, might well consider checking out a 55-plus Condominium. There are a growing number of such communities in Winnipeg. For a sample list of addresses which feature “age-restricted’ condos, click on 55 plus condominiums.
Bo Kauffmann at Remax Performance Realty 204-333-2202. If you’re thinking of selling your current home, or thinking about 55 plus condominiums and wish to discuss your options, please call me anytime.
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About the Publisher
Bo Kauffmann is a residential real estate agent with over 18 yrs experience in helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals. Inducted into the REMAX Hall of Fame in 2010 and receiving the REMAX Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Bo has sold over 500 houses and condos in the Greater Winnipeg market. He is an accredited buyer representative (A.B.R.) and a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist.
Bo provides exceptional service to First-Time Home-Buyers, Seniors looking to downsize and Home Sellers of all ages.
He can be reached easily  By E-Mail or call/text him  Call/Text Here Our Latest Web-Stories
Never miss an episode of our real estate podcast.
Install our FREE Podcast App available on iOS and Android.
For your Apple Devices, click here to install our iOS App.
For your Android Devices, click here to install our Android App.
Check my videos on Youtube
Protect your home foundation from shifting and cracking
Winnipeg home owners love their basement rec-rooms.  But several problems, including flooding basements, cracking and shifting foundations are always a concern.  Normally, our main concern is during wet weather, when sump pumps can become overwhelmed by the water, and tiny cracks in concrete basement walls allow water to seep into our prized man-caves and game rooms.
cracking and shifting foundations
However, there are several causes of shifting and cracking foundation walls:
Extended drought causes foundations issues
Extended dry periods, such as what we’re experiencing this summer (2021), will cause the ground to dry up and crack, shifting soil all along your foundation walls.
Severe droughts can affect soil moisture levels even deep into the ground. If it goes deep enough, and affects the clay around the foundation footings, the impact can be severe.
Drying clay will shrink, causing vacant pockets around and underneath the footings. This will increase the chances of the footings shifting or dropping.
Prevention: Water your foundation on a regular basis. Â When watering your lawn, make sure your sprinklers work right up to the basement walls, to keep the soil nice and moist.
While it is commonly believed that, if a house is beyond a certain age, it will have ‘settled as far as it’s gonna settle’, I know of cases where houses have shifted after 30 years of relative stability.
Sudden changes in soil moisture levels
I read once that a fully grown birch cluster can take 8 bath-tubs full of water out of the soil every single day. Â If you have several large trees close to your home, and suddenly remove them, the moisture levels around your home will suddenly change. Â This can affect homefoundations, and can cause severe shifting and settling.
Sudden, or even gradual changes in soil moisture are quite often the culprit of these issues with foundations.
Tree roots effect foundations
Tree, planted too close to foundations, can over time develop roots that are big enough to crack concrete. Â As prevention, don’t plant trees or even large shrubs too close to the house. Â However, if your home already has several large trees around it, don’t be too hasty in removing them, because this can cause another, equally severe issue…
About the Publisher
Bo Kauffmann is a residential real estate agent with over 18 yrs experience in helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals. Inducted into the REMAX Hall of Fame in 2010 and receiving the REMAX Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Bo has sold over 500 houses and condos in the Greater Winnipeg market. He is an accredited buyer representative (A.B.R.) and a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist.
Bo provides exceptional service to First-Time Home-Buyers, Seniors looking to downsize and Home Sellers of all ages.
He can be reached easily  By E-Mail or call/text him  Call/Text Here Our Latest Web-Stories
Never miss an episode of our real estate podcast.
Install our FREE Podcast App available on iOS and Android.
For your Apple Devices, click here to install our iOS App.
For your Android Devices, click here to install our Android App.
Check my videos on Youtube
Wall tiles have always been popular because of the huge range of styles and colours available and the fact that they have so many uses. Think of wall tiles in the home and a lot of people will instant think of the bathroom, but that isn’t the only room in your home where they can be used and will look great.
Many benefits of wall tiling
Obviously the bathroom is the most popular room in the home for wall tiles because not only do they look great but they are also impenetrable to water, meaning that they can be used in showers and on the wall between the top of your bath tub and the ceiling to provide a waterproof barrier. They can also be used as a splash-back behind wash basins as this area can often get wet and wall tiles are better for dealing with this than painted walls, even if bathroom specific paint has been used. As these three areas are usually covered with wall tiles in a lot of homes, people decorating will often tile all remaining walls in a bathroom to give continuity and also because wall tiles are so easy to clean, are hard wearing and long lasting.
Importance of waterproofing
Showers have become increasingly popular in modern homes over the past 20 to 30 years, with more and more people seeing them as a quick and convenient alternative to a bath. A lot of homes now have a shower that is combined with the bath tub as this is cheaper than having a separate shower cubicle installed. It is also a space saver in a room which is normally the smallest room in the house. If you have a shower in your bathroom then it is essential that you completely waterproof the area that will be in contact with water. Failing to do this can have disastrous consequences. Flooding into downstairs rooms is common in homes where bathrooms haven’t been properly insulated and leaks can also affect wooden joists causing them to rot and making the structure of your home unsafe. Ceramic wall tiles combined with waterproof grout and waterproof sealant specifically made for baths and showers is the most cost effective way of making this area completely waterproof.
Bo Kauffmann is a residential real estate agent with over 18 yrs experience in helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals. Inducted into the REMAX Hall of Fame in 2010 and receiving the REMAX Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Bo has sold over 500 houses and condos in the Greater Winnipeg market. He is an accredited buyer representative (A.B.R.) and a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist.
Bo provides exceptional service to First-Time Home-Buyers, Seniors looking to downsize and Home Sellers of all ages.
He can be reached easily  By E-Mail or call/text him  Call/Text Here Our Latest Web-Stories
Never miss an episode of our real estate podcast.
Install our FREE Podcast App available on iOS and Android.
For your Apple Devices, click here to install our iOS App.
For your Android Devices, click here to install our Android App.
Check my videos on Youtube
Located on Royal Mint Dr. in Southland Park, you can find the Lake Park Estates Condominiums. A set of 16 condos in 8 buildings, built by Randall Homes, these are 2-storey side-by-side units.
Year Built: Â ca. 2004
Total Condos:
Built by Randall Homes in 2004, the condo project is comprised of 8 buildings, each containing 2 condos (side-by-side). Each unit is 1753 sq feet (top 2 levels), plus the basement. Units feature 3 BR’s, 2.5 baths (plus any additionals bedrooms or baths added in the basement). Units feature double attached garages, large front drives and east-facing decks, looking towards the man-made lake.
Condo Restrictions:
Just the usual condo-restrictions, such as “No Laundry to be hung from the balcony” etc.  Pets are allowed, so long as they don’t pose a nuisance to other owners. As is common with these types of condos, the building of fences and outbuildings, such as tool sheds, is NOT permitted.
Property Taxes
Gross Property Taxes are currently at $4,700 per year. Â Of course, as an owner who actually lives in their unit, you would qualify for the Provincial Home Owners Assistance Rebate, similar to when you own a house.>
Condo Fees
Condo fees are currently at $275.00 per month. This includes professional management, snow clearing, grass cutting and contribution to a common reserve fund.
Laundry and Parking
All units have their own insuite laundry room, and attached double garages. Added parking is on the driveways.
Amenities
There is no common elements room, fitness room or anything of the type. This project backs onto a park, and has view of a lake beyond that.
During the 2 yr period of 2018-2019, condos at Lake Park Estates have sold for bet. $365,000 and $410,000 approximately  (MLS® stats)
If you are looking for a condo in Winnipeg, whether an apartment, townhouse or stand-alone units, call Bo Kauffmann at 204-333-2202
About the Publisher
Bo Kauffmann is a residential real estate agent with over 18 yrs experience in helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals. Inducted into the REMAX Hall of Fame in 2010 and receiving the REMAX Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Bo has sold over 500 houses and condos in the Greater Winnipeg market. He is an accredited buyer representative (A.B.R.) and a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist.
Bo provides exceptional service to First-Time Home-Buyers, Seniors looking to downsize and Home Sellers of all ages.
He can be reached easily  By E-Mail or call/text him  Call/Text Here Our Latest Web-Stories
Never miss an episode of our real estate podcast.
Install our FREE Podcast App available on iOS and Android.
For your Apple Devices, click here to install our iOS App.
For your Android Devices, click here to install our Android App.
Check my videos on Youtube
Tips and advice on how to measure your home. 🏡You might be surprised that home measurements include all walls, hallways and even closets. Here are ways to measure the different styles of homes.
Roofs represent one of the 5 main parts of a home: foundation, windows, plumbing, electrical and the roof. Preventative Maintenance is actually quite cheap, but fixing a roof that has gone to disrepair can present serious problems. Spotting problems is not always easy: even great looking shingles can hide some defects. Home inspections are advised, and hiring a good roofer is important. Call me for a referral.
Fun article on how a dark home because a light-filled retreat. Located off coast of B.C. Photos and description to give you ideas for your home renovation.
A well done bathroom renovation can add significant value to your home. But bathroom renos are no small jobs, and should be tackled only after a lot of planning. Here are some essential tips to help you make this major home improvement as easy as possible. Bathroom renovations done right…
Real estate investing can provide steady secure income for property owners. Winnipeg is one of the country’s best places to invest: low property costs, couples with low vacancy rates. Buying a rental property in Winnipeg? Here is a list of steps to take in your quest to become a successful real estate investor.
Plumbing systems are a major part of any home, along with foundation, electrical and roofing. Here are a few tips on how to check for potential plumbing problems before buying a home.
Home renovations are a great way to add value to your property. But not all renos add equally. Here are the top 4 home improvements you should consider.
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