If you are new to real estate investing, you may often encounter 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 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. To help save us from the trouble, I have started compiling a list of local real estate related acronyms and what they stand for, as most often used here in the Philippines.

AP – Asking price

APT – Apartment

ARV – After Repair Value

AV – Appraised Value

BR – Bedroom

CAR – Certificate authorizing registration

CCR – Cash on Cash Return

CCT – Condominium Certificate of Title

CF – Cost Factor

CG – Car Garage

CGT – Capital Gains Tax

CLOP – Contract of Lease with Option to Purchase

COS – Certificate Of Sale

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

DST – Documentary Stamps Tax

FMV – Fair market Value

FSBO – For Sale By Owner

HOA – Home Owners Association

HVAC – Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning

ISP – Indicative selling Price

LOI – Letter Of Intent

LTV – Loan To Value

MA – Monthly Amortization

MAO – Maximum Allowable Offer

MBP – Minimum Bid Price

MC – Manager’s Check

MR – Maids Room

MRI – Mortgage Redemption Insurance

MV – Market Value

NOI – Net Operating Income

OP – Over Pricing

PITI – Principal Interest Taxes and Insurance

PC – Purchase Contract

PS – Parking Slot

RD – Registry of Deeds

RA – Republic Act

REB – Real Estate Broker

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

T&B – Toilet and Bath

TCT – Transfer Certificate of Title

TT – Transfer Tax

VAT – Value Added Tax

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.

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