Descriptive Terms In Real Estate Ads - Even More Definitions
By Raynor James, Fri Dec 9th
If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good youstruggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Hereare explanations and definitions for more terms.
"Living Room" & "Family Room"
When a home has both a living room and a family room, we knowwhich is which. It used to be that when an ad mentioned a familyroom, we could assume it also had a living room. Now somebuilders are building houses with something akin to the firstuse of "Great Room"
above and calling it the "Family Room" onthe floor plan. Thus houses and their terminology seem to beevolving. I suppose in the new builder speak we should justthink of the room as an informal family living room.
"Patio" & "Terrace"
Both are outdoor living areas paved with something like slate orbrick. A patio is level with the ground around it. A terrace hasadjoining areas of ground which are higher, or lower, or perhapsboth.
"Solarium," "Sun Room," "Florida Room"
These terms are used to describe rooms with lots of windows(often on three sides). Many times these areas also haveskylights. The choice of what to call them seems purelypersonal. They tend to be charming, bright, sunny places inwhich to over winter plants and sit in the garden in chilly ordownright cold weather.
"Jack and Jill Bath"
A bathroom with two doors into it. It is frequently situatedbetween two bedrooms with doors to each. Sometimes the doors areinto a bedroom and into a hallway.
"Waterfront" vs. "Water View"
Waterfront property actually has a common boundary with(frontage on) the water. Sometimes the property line actuallygoes into the water. Water view just means water can be seenfrom the property. Sometimes there is a beautiful view.Sometimes it means the water can be seen from one upstairswindow when the leaves are off the trees! Also, many times a newstructure might block the view at some time in the future unlessthere is a protective covenant or something to prevent it.
If you can get the verbiage down, you'll be way ahead in thereal estate game. Look for future articles on this subject orvisit our site to read more terms.
About the author:Raynor James is with the FSBO site - http://www.fsboamerica.org- FSBO homes For Sale By Owner. Visit our "sell my home" page -http://www.fsboamerica.org/seller.cfm - to sell your houseyourself with a free 1 month listing.
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