PENTHOUSE (PTHSE) - A luxury apartment in a high rise building, on the highest floors of the building.

PIED A TERRE - A French expression; translated literally it means "foot on the earth". It refers to an apartment that someone uses as a second home, usually because their business requires them to spend several days or weeks in New York every month, with their primary residence being too far away for a daily commute. Pied á terre are also kept by those who simply enjoy having a place to stay, of their own, when they visit New York for shopping and social activities.

POST-WAR BUILDING (POST-WAR BLDG) - Typically constructed between the late 1940's through the 1970's, these buildings are usually ten to thirty stories tall and constructed of white, red or brown brick. Most will have a doorman. Post-war buildings often have larger layouts when compared to pre-war or luxury high rise style buildings.

PRE-WAR BUILDING (PRE-WAR BLDG) - Known for their character, pre-war buildings were built prior to World War II. They can be recognized them by their unique architecture and attractive, often ornate exterior and interior details. The apartments typically have higher, beamed ceilings, with some featuring fireplaces and other decorative touches. Laundry facilities can usually be found in the basement. Doormen are common, but a good number will only have an intercom and buzzer system. Most pre-war buildings are co-ops. Pre-war buildings are in great demand and command premium prices.

QUADRAPLEX (QDRPLEX) - An apartment with four levels.

RAILROAD FLAT (RR) - An apartment with all rooms organized in a linear sequence, which requires passing through one room (Bedroom) to get to the next (Kitchen, Bath).

RENTAL BUILDING - A building where the apartments are only rented and not sold.

SHARE - An arrangement whereby one rents an apartment with one or more individuals who already live in the apartment.

STUDIO - A one or two room apartment where living and sleeping areas are combined as a single room. The kitchen is either a separate room or set in a wall off the living area. This type of kitchen is usually referred to as a “Pullman Kitchen”, after the Pullman railroad cars.

SUBLET - An arrangement whereby a legal tenant of an apartment rents part or all of the apartment to someone else. The legal tenant becomes the 'Over-Tenant' acting as landlord to the 'Under-Tenant' (Subletter). The Subletter's relationship is with the 'Over-tenant' only. They pay rent directly to the 'Over-tenant' and have no contact with the original landlord.

TENEMENT - A building with many apartments of which most open into an airshaft.

TRIPLEX (TRPLX) - An apartment with three levels.

TOWNHOUSE (TWNHSE, TH) - A townhouse is a private residence where at least one wall is shared with another residence. In New York City, townhouses are a very popular providing more private way of living.

WALK-UP BUILDING (WLK-UP BLDG) - This term refers to any building that does not have elevator service. It can apply to a brownstone, townhouse or a post-war 3-6 story building. These apartments can also be situated over storefronts located on the avenues or on side streets.

WINGED APARTMENT - You enter a winged apartment through the kitchen. To the left is the door to bedroom #1. Bedroom #2 is to the right. The bathroom is located straight through the kitchen. This kind of floor-plan allows roommates to share with privacy.