Whether you’re looking at homes online yourself or working with a Realtor® to find listings, there may be terms you see in a listing that aren't familiar to you. Each region of the country refers to various parts of the home using terms which may be completely familiar to locals but not to someone from another area. Here are some terms that are local to the Florida region.
Lanai
Although this isn’t only used in Florida, it’s most commonly used in tropical locations to refer to any covered and screened-in area. Some listings may mention a lanai-enclosed pool which means the pool is also screened in. Some even refer to the screened pool enclosure as a cage. To those moving from northern areas, this could sound quite odd, but it’s the most common way of enclosing a pool in the area.
Split Floor Plan
Because many homes throughout the Tampa Bay area and all of Florida are single level, many are built with a split floor plan. This means the master suite is on one side of the main living area while the rest of the bedrooms are on the other side, splitting the bedroom areas, hence the name.
High Volume Ceiling
In homes with ceilings taller than eight feet, the listing agent may slip in the little-known term high volume ceiling. These ceilings aren’t vaulted and don’t necessarily have any special finishes like a tray or coffered decoration, but they’re simply more than eight feet. Further details may reveal they have crown molding or another feature in addition to the height.
Executive Pool
If you’re looking for a home with a pool, you may wonder what the difference is between a pool and an executive pool. There isn’t a true official definition of this, but you’ll find that most executive pools include an attached hot tub with a spill-over feature. Some may also include a tanning shelf.
Let Your Realtor® Help
Your Realtor® knows the various terms used by their peers in the listings and can help you decode the them even over the phone. If you’re not yet working with a local Realtor®, call Jason Duraj at (813) 992-7771. His Future Home Realty team has vast experience with Tampa Bay area neighborhoods, and they can help you find the perfect home for your family today.
