If you are new to real estate investing, you may often encounter a lot of real estate acronyms when skimming through classified ads, while discussing with banks/brokers/other seasoned real estate professionals, or even while driving past a house that has a for sale sign.
While some real estate acronyms can be easily deciphered, others may take some serious searching to find what they stand for.
I know how it feels to be the only person in a discussion that does not know what something means, it can be a dead giveaway that you are a newbie when it comes to real estate investing or real estate in general.
To help save us from the trouble and embarrasment, I have started compiling a list of local real estate acronyms and what they stand for, as most often used here in the Philippines.
Real Estate Acronyms commonly used in the Philippines
AP – Asking price
APT – Apartment
ARV – After Repair Value
AV – Appraised Value
BLLM – Bureau of Lands Location Monument
BR – Bedroom
BSMT – Basement
CAR – Certificate Authorizing Registration
CCR – Cash on Cash Return
CCT – Condominium Certificate of Title
CF – Cost Factor
CG – Car Garage
CLOP – Contract of Lease with Option to Purchase
COMP – Comparable
COMM – Commission
CONC – Concrete
COS – Certificate Of Sale
CR – Comfort Room
CRB – Certified Real estate Broker
CRESR – Comprehensive Real Estate Seminar and Review
CTC -Community Tax Certificate
CTS – Contract-To-Sell
CWT – Creditable Withholding Tax
DBO – Direct Buyers Only
DOAS – Deed Of Absolute Sale
DOM – Deed Of Mortgage
DP – Down Payment
DR – Door
EOP – Exclusive Option to Purchase
FA – Floor Area
FIP – Foreclosure Investing Philippines
FMV – Fair Market Value
FSBO – For Sale By Owner
GF – Ground Floor
GFI – Government Financial Institution
HL – House and Lot
HOA – Home Owners Association
HVAC – Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning
ISP – Indicative Selling Price
LA – Lot Area
LARES – LAand REgiStration
LOG – Letter Of Guarantee
LOI – Letter Of Intent
LRA – Land Registration Authority
LTCP – Land Titling Computerization Project
LTS – License To Sell
LTV – Loan To Value
MA – Monthly Amortization
MAO – Maximum Allowable Offer
MBP – Minimum Bid Price
MBR – Masters Bed Room
MC – Manager’s Check
MLS – Multiple Listing Service
MOA – Memorandum Of Agreement
MR – Maids Room
MRI – Mortgage Redemption Insurance
MV – Market Value
NEOP – Non Exclusive Option to Purchase
NOI – Net Operating Income
NROC – Non Refundable Option Consideration
OCT – Original Certificate of Title
OP – Over Pricing, Option to Purchase
PITI – Principal Interest Taxes and Insurance
PC – Purchase Contract
PS – Parking Slot
RD – Registry of Deeds, Roof Deck
RA – Republic Act
RE – Real Estate
REB – Real Estate Broker
REI – Real Estate Investing
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
REM – Real Estate Mortgage
RESA – Real Estate Service Act
REO – Real Estate Owned
RFO – Ready For Occupancy
RM – Room
ROI – Return On Investment or Return Of Investment
ROPA – Real and Other Properties Acquired
ROPOA – Real and Other Properties Owned or Acquired
RPT – Real Property Tax
RTO – Rent-To-Own
SQM – SQuare Meters
TB or T&B – Toilet and Bath
TCT – Transfer Certificate of Title
TH – Town House
TT – Transfer Tax
VAT – Value Added Tax
ZV – Zonal Value
I have also added useful links to more detailed explanations for acronyms and terms and I shall continue to add new links as they become available.
This is a work in progress so if you can’t find an acronym in this list, or if you need more details for an acronym or term, just leave a comment and I’ll ask around from friends and contacts who are veterans in the real estate business, then I’ll include them here.

















