Decoding an MLS Listing
Decoding an MLS Listing
Before computers, realtors used to meet at their local association’s offices to share information about properties for sale and offer to share part of their commission. Today, most homes are listed through the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), an online database of detailed information about properties for sale. Many of the popular websites, including Weichert®, use this service to find and share information for homes listed by other Realtors®. By consolidating the listing information, more homes are made available to every buyer.
The MLS listing should give the basics about a home: the price, taxes, types of utilities, and square footage. It may also give the breakdown of the number of floors, size of the rooms and their location within the home. There are often additional notes with details that don’t fit into the standard listing formula.
The MLS listing sheets can be hard to read because they are full of acronyms to describe the features of a home. Although this information reads as a second language to realtors, it can be confusing to a buyer. Here’s some help for decoding an MLS listing.
| Abreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| #-zone H/A | Zoned heating and air conditioning, separate units |
| ½, .5 or .1 Bath | A bathroom, with only a commode and sink |
| A/C or AC | Air Conditioning |
| A/G PL | Above Ground Pool |
| ACR | Acre |
| AMENIT | Amenities listing for a condominium complex or gated community |
| APT | Apartment |
| ATFN | Attic Fan |
| ATT | Attached |
| BA | Bathroom |
| BALC | Balcony |
| BCH | Beach |
| BKPORCH | Back porch |
| BKYD | Backyard |
| BLDR | Builder |
| BLT | Built-In |
| BR | Bedroom |
| BRK | Brick |
| BSMT | Basement |
| BUNG | Bungalow |
| C H/A | Central heat and air |
| C/VAC, CVAC | Central vacuum |
| CAC, C/AC | Central Air Conditioning |
| CAPE | Cape Cod |
| CBL | Cable |
| CDOM | Combined days on the market. All of the days on the market, even if the the home has been relisted |
| CER | Ceramic |
| CFAN | Ceiling Fan |
| CLBHS | Clubhouse |
| CNR | Corner |
| COL | Colonial |
| CRPRT | Carport |
| CRWL | Crawl Space |
| CTH | Cathedral Ceiling |
| D/W, DW | Dishwasher |
| DOM | Number of days the property has been on the market |
| DR | Dining Room |
| DSP | Disposal |
| EIK | Eat-in Kitchen |
| ELE | Electric |
| ELV | Elevator |
| END | End Unit |
| FBMT | Finished Basement |
| FDR | Formal Dining Room |
| FIN | Finished |
| FLOOR | Type of flooring will be listed here - hardwood, carpet, tile, etc. |
| FLR | Floor |
| FP, FPL, FPLC | Fireplace |
| FR | Family Room |
| FSBO | For Sale by Owner |
| GAR | Garage |
| GFPL | Gas Fireplace |
| HEAT | Type of heat: radiant, central, forced, etc. |
| HIST | Historical |
| HOD | Homeowners dues, for condos, gated communities, etc. |
| HTUB | Hot Tub |
| HVAC | Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning |
| HW | Hot Water |
| IGSP | In-Ground Sprinkler |
| INLW | In-Law Suite |
| LAUNDRY | For apartments or condo, will list if the laundry is inside of the unit |
| LD | List date. The date the property was put on the market. |
| LL | Lower Level |
| LP | List price |
| LP/SF | List price per sq. ft. |
| LR | Living Room |
| LRG | Large |
| LV | Levels |
| MAR | Marble |
| MB | Master Bedroom |
| NGS | Natural Gas |
| OFC | Office |
| OVER | Oversized |
| PAN | Pantry |
| PAT | Patio |
| PGS | Propane Gas |
| PICK | Picket Fence |
| PL | Swimming Pool |
| PLAY | Playground |
| PMP | Pump |
| POA | Prop Owners Association |
| POR, POR-S | Porch/Screened |
| PROP HT | Propane Heat |
| PRQ | Parquet |
| PRTL | Partial |
| PVCY | Privacy |
| RAD | Radiant Heat |
| RDR | Radiator |
| REC | Recreation Room |
| REF | Refrigerator |
| RNCH | Ranch |
| RV PRKG | RV Parking |
| SAT | Satellite Dish |
| SCRND | Screened |
| SD/W | Storm Doors and Windows |
| SECDEP | Security Deposit |
| SECSYS | Security System |
| SEW, SWR | Sewer |
| SHNG | Shingle |
| SKY | Skylights |
| SLT | Slate |
| SMP | Sump Pump |
| SN | Senior |
| SP/SF | Sales price per sq. ft. |
| SPKLR | Sprinkler System |
| SPLT | Split Level |
| SQFT | Square Feet |
| STOR | Storage |
| TOWN, TH | Town House |
| TRAD | Traditional |
| TRC | Trash Compactor |
| UL | Upper Level |
| UNO | Unit Number |
| UTCL | Utility Closet |
| UTRM | Utility Room |
| VYL, VIN | Vinyl |
| W/D | Washer/Dryer |
| W/D HKUP | Washer/Dryer Hookup |
| W/O | Walk Out or Without |
| W/W CPT | Wall To Wall Carpet |
| WAR | Warranty |
| WB | Wet bar |
| WBFP | Wood Burning Fireplace |
| WBS | Wood Burning Stove |
| WD PNL | Wood Paneling |
| WF | Waterfront |
| WIC | Walk-in closet |
| WIN | Window |
| WINT | Window Treatment |
| WTR | Water |
| YB | Year built |
| YD | Yard |
Why is there Incomplete Information?
If the information is incomplete, it is likely because it was never submitted with the original listing. If the missing information cannot be found by going to the home directly, contact the listing agent. If it is information about the zoning or survey, contact the local municipality for more details.