I have no idea what you are talking about. None.
The frivolous use of acronyms in real estate marketing needs to end now.
Sadly, many will read the list below and do nothing.
They will scoff at how goofy this industry black eye is, but will not take action and eliminate the acronyms from their own marketing.
Everything that doesn’t add to your marketing subtracts from it.
Business cards, email signatures, direct mail, websites and more are currently littered with letters.
Letters that are meaningless to those you hope to attract.
I am asking those of you that are reading this to look at your current online and offline marketing and cut the fat.
By doing so, you will get people’s much desired and difficult to attain attention on the things that matter more like your phone number, email address, website and listings.
As a rule of thumb, it is always a good marketing tactic to speak the same language as your target consumer.
There seem to be two primary categories of acronyms in real estate:
Industry Designations/Jargon
Property Descriptions
The following list was crowd sourced using a popular Facebook Group where technology is discussed daily.
DISCLAIMER: I am in no way saying that the knowledge attained in the process of achieving any of these designations is useless. If you think that after reading what I wrote above you missed the point.
DISCLAIMER: I know there are often times due to lack of characters allowed by an MLS you are forced to use an acronym, the point here is when your not forced to, don’t do it.
TIP: Consider dedicating a page on your website where you explain in detail exactly what it is about each designation or certification that will make working with you better for the consumer. Explaining these face to face at a listing appointment could also be very effective.
Acronyms that should be eliminated from consumer facing marketing immediately:
ABR – Accredited Buyer’s Representative
ARM – Adjustable Rate Mortgage
BA – Bathroom
BATVAD – Buyer’s agent to verify all data
BR – Bedroom
BTVEBCOE – Buyer to verify everything before close of escrow
CCRM – Certified California Residential Manager
CE – Continued Education
CIPS – Certified International Property Specialist
CMA – Competitive Market Analysis
CNE – Certified Negotiation Expert
CO – Certificate of Occupancy
CRB – Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers
CRS – Council of Residential Specialists
DOM – Days On Market
DPA – Down Payment Assistance
e-Pro – Electronic Professional
EAL – Exclusive Agency Listing
FC – Foreclosure
FDR – Formal Dining Room
FHA – Federal Housing Administration
FM RM – Family Room
FROG – Finished Room Over Garage
FSBO – For Sale By Owner
GFE – Good Faith Estimate
GRE – Graduate Record Exam
GRI – Graduate, Realtor Institute
GYWRFTK – Giant Yard With Room For The Kids
HOA – Home Owners’ Association
HUD – (Department of) Housing and Urban Development
HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
KTB – Known to Broker
MLS – Multiple Listing Service
MVA – Market Value Analysis
NHBC – National House Building Council
NNN – Triple Net (Lease)
OBO – Or Best Offer
PHA – Public Housing Administration
PITI – Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance
PMDT – Purchase Money Deed of Trust
PMI – Private Mortgage Insurance
POT – Possession on Title
PUD – Planned Unit Development
PW – Present Worth
REO – Real Estate Owned
SRES – Senior Real Estate Specialist
SS – Short Sale
WCR – Women’s Council of Realtors
WIC – Walk In Closet
If you agree with the goal of this article please take a moment to share it on Facebook and Twitter now.
Did I miss an acronym that you would include?
Do you disagree in any way?
