Atlanta Real Estate

4 B/2B -- four bedrooms and two bathrooms. "Bedroom" usually means a sleeping area with a window and a closet, but the definition varies in different places. A "full bathroom" is a room with a toilet, a sink and a bathtub. A "half bathroom" or powder room has only a toilet and a sink.

C losing Costs: This has different meanings in different states, in Georgia a transaction is not consider "closed" until the documents record with the county recorder which is the public official who keeps records of transactions that affect real property in the area. The "closing" is a meeting where all of the documents are signed and money changes hands, costs -- the entire package of miscellaneous expenses paid by the buyer and the seller when the real estate deal closes.

C MA -- comparative market analysis or competitive market analysis. A CMA is a report that shows prices of homes that are comparable to a subject home and that were recently sold, are currently on the market or were on the market, but not sold within the listing period.

C ontingency -- a provision of an agreement that keeps the agreement from being fully legally binding until a certain condition is met. One example is a contract which is an oral or written agreement to do or not to do a certain thing.

d k -- Most often refers to a deck

E xpansion pot'l -- expansion potential mean that there's extra space on the lot or the possibility of adding a room or even an upper level, subject to local zoning restrictions.

F DR -- formal dining room

F ixture -- anything of value that is permanently attached to or a part of the home which is land and appurtenances, including anything of a permanent nature such as structures, trees, minerals, and the interest, benefits, and inherent rights thereof, . (Real estate is legally called "real property," while movables are called "personal property") Examples of fixtures include installed wall-to-wall carpeting, light fixtures, window coverings, or landscaping. Fixtures are a frequent subject of buyer and seller disputes. When in doubt, get it in writing.

F rplc, fplc, FP -- fireplace

G ar -- garage (garden is usually abbreviated as "gard.")

G rmet kit -- gourmet kitchen

H DW, HWF, Hdwd -- hardwood floors

H i ceils -- high ceilings

I n-law potential -- potential for a separate apartment, subject to local zoning restrictions

L isting -- an agreement between a real estate broker and a home owner that allows the real estate broker to market and arrange for the sale of the owner's home. The word "listing" is also used to refer to the home itself.

L ock box -- locked key-holding device affixed to a for-sale home so real estate professionals can gain entry into the home after obtaining permission from the listing agent

M LS -- Multiple Listing Service. An MLS is an organization that collects, compiles and distributes information about homes listed for sale by its members. Membership isn't open to the general public, although selected MLS data may be sold to real estate listings Web sites. MLSs are local or regional. There is no MLS covering the whole country.

P ot'l -- potential

P vt -- private

P wdr rm -- half bathroom or powder room