Real Estate Abbreviations

Does real estate sometimes seem like a bowl of alphabet soup?  Here's a handy guide to deciphering all the abbreviations.  Now you can sound like a pro, too!

Real Estate Financing and Contract Terms

APR - Annual Percentage Rate
ARM - Adjustable Rate Mortgage
CCR - Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions
CFD - Contract for Deed
CLTV - Combined Loan To Value
CAP - Capitalization Rate
DBA - Doing Business As
DOS - Due On Sale Clause
DOT - Deed of Trust
FCRA - Fair Credit Reporting Act
LOC - Line of Credit
LOI - Letter of Intent
LPOA - Limited Power of Attorney
MAO - Maximum Allowable Offer
PMI - Private Mortgage Insurance
POA - Power of Attorney
Sub2 - Subject to existing financing
TIL - Truth In Lending

Real Estate Investing Abbreviations

ARV - After Repair Value
CMA - Comparative Market Analysis
COCR - Cash on Cash Return (also ConC)
COF - Cost of Funds
CRE - Creative Real Estate
DCR - Debt Coverage Ratio
DSCR - Debt Service Coverage Ration (same as DSR above)
FHA - Federal Housing Administration
FMR - Fair Market Rent
FMV - Fair Market Value
FSBO - For Sale by Owner
GRM - Gross Rent Multiplier
HML - Hard Money Lender
HOA - Homeowners Association
HUD - Housing and Urban Development
IRR - Internal Rate of Return
L/O - Lease Option
LLC - Limited Liability Company
LLP - Limited Liability Partnership
LTV - Loan to Value
MAO - Maximum Allowable Offer
MLS - Multiple Listing Service
NNN - Triple Net Lease
NOI - Net Operating Income
NOO - Non-Owner Occupied
OO - Owner Occupied
O/F - Owner Finance
P&S - Purchase and Sale
PCF - Price to Cash Flow (ratio)
PITI - Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance
PUD - Planned Unit Development
REI - Real Estate Investing
REIA - Real Estate Investors Association
REO - Real Estate Owned
ROI - Return On Investment
RTO - Rent to Own
SFH - Single Family House
SFR - Single Family Residence
VA - Department of Veterans Affairs / Veterans Administration  

Real Estate Agent Terms

ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative
CBR - Certified Buyer Representative
CHMS - Certified Home Marketing Specialist
CLHMS - Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist
CNS - Certified Negotiation Specialist
CRB - Certified Real Estate Broker
CRS - Certified Residential Specialist
e-PRO - Internet Professional Realtor designation
GRI - Graduate Realtor Institute
NAR - National Association of Realtors
REALTOR® - Member of the National Association of Realtors
SRES - Senior Real Estate Specialist