Translating Realtor-Speak

English, Please!

LL/BR is non-conforming. Lkbx on Bk dr. Frnt prch/crftsmn wdwrk/ tiled bath/gleaming Maple flrs/HVAC-elect '05, oven '09/lrg walkin closet/maint-free ext./prof lndscpng/gorgeous 3 seas porch! Wkshp in gar.

--Excerpt from actual MLS listing

With only 256 characters and spaces in MLS's Agent and Public remarks fields, there is natually a temptation to try to cram too much information in.

One way to do that is truncated words and abbreviations; another is acronymns.

However, as the excerpt above shows, less can sometimes be, well, less.

For those who don't know Realtor-speak, here is a translation of the verbiage above, taken from an actual listing:

The lower level Bedroom is non-conforming (it's not legally finished square feet because it's lacking the requisite 7 feet height, a closet, heat source, and/or egress window).

The lockbox is on the back door.

Highlights include a front porch; Craftsman woodwork; tiled bath; gleaming Maple floors.

Also: the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning were replaced in 2005; the oven in 2009.

There is a large walk-in closet.

Other highlights: a maintenance-free exterior; professional landscaping; and a gorgeous, three-season porch.

There is a workshop in the garage.

There!

That wasn't so hard . . . .