-What do all of those real estate acronyms in the ads mean?

If you find yourself stumbling over weird acronyms in a real estate listing, don't be alarmed. There is method to the madness of this shorthand (which is mostly adopted by sellers to save money in advertising charges). Here are some abbreviations and the meaning of each, taken from a recent newspaper classified section:

1. assum. fin. -- assumable financing
   
2. dk -- deck
   
3. gar -- garage (garden is usually abbreviated "gard")
   
4. expansion pot'l -- may be extra space on the lot, or possibly vertical potential for a top floor or room addition. Verify actual potential by checking local zoning restrictions prior to purchase.
   
5. fab pentrm -- fabulous pentroom, a room on top, underneath the roof, that sometimes has views
   
6. FDR -- formal dining room (not the former president)
   
7. frplc, fplc, FP -- fireplace
   
8. grmet kit -- gourmet kitchen
   
9. HDW, HWF, Hdwd -- hardwood floors
   
10. hi ceils -- high ceilings
    
11. In-law potential -- potential for a separate apartment. Sometimes, local zoning codes restrict rentals of such units so be sure the conversion is legal first.
    
12. large E-2 plan -- this is one of several floor plans available in a specific building
    
13. lsd pkg. -- leased parking area, may come with an additional cost
    
14. lo dues -- find out just how low these homeowner's dues are, and in comparison to what?
    
15. nr bst schls -- near the best schools
    
16. pvt -- private
17. pwdr rm -- powder room, or half-bath
    
18. upr- upper floor
    
19. vw, vu, vws, vus -- view(s)
    
20. Wow! -- better check this one out.
    

Resources:

* "Real Estate's Ambiguous Language You Oughtta Understand," Glennon H. Neubauer, Ethos Group Publishing, Diamond Bar, CA; 1993.