Sellers want fewer DOM, buyers want to see a CMA before they take possession–and you probably want to know what all of that jargon means. With all of the real estate terms and industry slang out there, buying and selling can get confusing. Wouldn’t it be great if you had your own personal translators to make sense of it all?

Enter: us. We’re here to help you sharpen up on all of those real estate terms and definitions to make your real estate experience even easier. Here are some common real estate terms that you’ll hear from us, and what we’re actually saying:

 


DOM

DOM

Days on Market. When this number is high there is a greater likelihood that the price can be negotiated aggressively.


Possession

Possession

Move in date. Anywhere from 30 to 90 days is standard.


LOT

LOT

Dimensions of the land. If you see a depth of 50 feet you probably aren’t getting a backyard.


Drive

Drive

Driveway. A mutual drive is shared between two properties and can only be used for parking if the owners mutually consent.


Kitchens

Kitchens

Number of kitchens in the property. One kitchen is self-explanatory, but when you see two or 1+1, the property is multi-unit and provides rental income.


Taxes

Taxes

Annual property taxes with the year of calculation noted to the right.


A/C

A/C

Air conditioning – if you see N here, brace yourself for a long summer.


Bldg Amen

Bldg Amen

Building Amenities. If you want that building with the Olympic size pool, basketball court, and arcade, here is where you need to look.


FSBO

FSBO

The property is for sale by owner.


MAINT

MAINT

Monthly Maintenance Fees. What you pay to cover the condoʼs expenditures and reserve fund.


Amortization

Amortization

In real estate, this is the process of paying off your mortgage via monthly payments.


CMA

CMA

Comparative Market Analysis–a comparison of properties that are similar to the one being sold or purchased to help determine the best selling or purchase price.