Understanding the Apartment Market Lingo

Apartment listings often describe available units using ambiguous language, including head-spinning industry jargon and abbreviations that are hard to decipher.

For instance, do you know what “Gar” really means? Maybe it’s a garage, but what if it’s a garden? What about the abbreviation,” DR?” Perhaps it stands for a dryer or a dining room?

And what about those colorful listings that describe a unit using words like “fantastic,” “cozy,” and “unique?”It turns out that these words are real estate agent-speak for an apartment that actually does not have many or any particular attributes worth describing.

It’s also not uncommon for an apartment listing to richly illustrate a spectacular-sounding apartment that, in reality, translates to something entirely different, according to a recent article written collaboratively by Apartments.com and HuffPost.

Whether you’re preparing to become a renter for the first time or a seasoned renter looking for a new living space, it’s essential to learn how to “decode” apartment listings to find the best place that suits your needs.

Shedding Light on Rental Language

With so many phrases and words thrown around in the rental world, from the basics to more complex terms, it can make the apartment-hunting process more complicated than it needs to be.

Here is a list of popular abbreviations (and what they really mean):

• incl (included)
• elec (electricity)
• a/c (air conditioning)
• w/w (wall-to-wall carpeting)
• h/w (hardwood floors)
• dw (dishwasher)
• furn (furnished)
• cpt (carpeted)
• eff (efficiency, a.k.a. a studio)
• immed (available immediately)

Below is a brief guide to help you better understand a few common apartment rental terms during your search:

• Amenity Fees. Some buildings with many amenities (think workout areas and pools) charge a monthly or annual fee to apartment owners to use these conveniences.
• 2/2 (or 3/2, or 1/1.5). This complex fraction reflects the total number of bedrooms and bathrooms in an apartment. The first number represents the number of bedrooms; the latter, the number of bathrooms. Of special note: if the second number features a decimal, it is describing a “half bath,” or a bathroom with a toilet and sink only.
• This term typically refers to any specialized elements of a unit, such as hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, or other high-end fixtures.
• Junior One Bedroom. This type of apartment falls somewhere between a studio and a one-bedroom floor plan. It typically translates to a defined, mostly walled-in space that a renter can use as a bedroom, including a full kitchen; however, the space is not closed off from the apartment’s main living area by an actual door.
• Commonly found in a bachelor-style apartment, this term describes a kitchen area that is not fully equipped, often lacking full-sized appliances or some appliances altogether, such as an oven.
• Walk-Up Apartment. This term refers to a unit located on a floor above ground level in a building that does not have a working elevator.
• In-Unit. If you see this phrase, it means that a particular feature is located inside the apartment, as opposed to a shared community amenity, such as public washers and dryers.
• W/D Connections. If you see this phrase in a listing, it refers to a space that includes the hookups to install a washer and dryer but does not include the actual machines.

Punctuation Matters!

Industry pros warn against spending quality time pursuing a listing that includes an exclamation point – this scenario is a red flag that conceals flaws or something less impressive with excessive enthusiasm.

Take a Test Drive; Consider All Costs

Google map the units you want to pursue, and actually take the time to drive around a neighborhood, rather than relying on the listing agent’s word, to see how long your work commute will be and to confirm it’s in an ideal location for your specific needs.

Keep in mind, while you may be targeting a community because of its “affordability,” it could end up costing you more money to get to work. A longer commute means spending more on gas and car maintenance, or public transportation costs. It can also mean more time spent in your car and less time enjoying your new apartment.

The Bottom Line

If you are actively searching for a new apartment, take your time and carefully read through each rental listing. Also, understand that a lot of the language is typical “marketing speak.”

Don’t let the clock – or your patience level – take over your efforts to find a new place to live. Unfortunately, they can lead to a poor choice. Remember, renting an apartment is a significant decision, and the more you educate yourself about the process, the easier it will be to make the right choice.

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