canadafloridaThe reference manual

Chapter 01 · Topic 01.1 · Before the offer

Bilingual real estate glossary Quebec ↔ Florida — 150 essential terms

Florida real estate speaks English, but really an English shaped by legal, tax, and architectural jargon specific to the State. Here are the 150 terms you'll encounter most often — from FAR/BAR contract to lanai — with their Quebec equivalent where one exists, and the nuance to know when it doesn't translate cleanly.

Published 2026-04-28Last reviewed 2026-04-29Reading time ≈ 22 minAuthor CanadaFlorida Editorial Team

Direct answer · 60-second summary

The 60-second version

This glossary is designed to be consulted during a tour or while reading an MLS sheet, not read end-to-end. It's organized into 9 categories: touring & property types, contract & offer, financing, inspection, closing & title, taxation, condo (HOA), insurance, and Florida architecture. A final section lists the false friends that can cost you.

For each term: the closest French translation, the Quebec equivalent (Centris / OACIQ) where it exists, and a short note on the nuance.

REFERENCE · ACRONYMS USED IN THIS GUIDE

Acronyms used in this guide

MLS — Multiple Listing Service, the regional broker cooperative database that feeds portals like Zillow and Redfin.
NAR — National Association of Realtors, U.S. trade association; members may use the trademarked title "Realtor®".
OACIQ — Organisme d'autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec, the Quebec real estate regulator equivalent to Florida's DBPR.
DBPR — Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the Florida state agency that licenses real estate brokers and sales associates.
FAR/BAR — Florida Realtors / Florida Bar, the joint standard residential purchase contract used in Florida transactions.
EMD — Earnest Money Deposit, the good-faith deposit placed in escrow by the buyer upon acceptance of an offer; typically 1–10 % of the purchase price.
PMI — Private Mortgage Insurance, required when the down payment is under 20 %; Canadian equivalent is CMHC mortgage insurance.
CMHC — Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the federal Crown corporation that insures high-ratio Canadian mortgages.
ARM — Adjustable-Rate Mortgage, a loan whose interest rate changes periodically after an initial fixed period (e.g., 5/1 ARM = fixed 5 years, then adjusts annually).
HOA — Homeowners Association, the elected body governing a residential community; broader than the Quebec condo syndicate concept.
WDO — Wood-Destroying Organisms; a WDO inspection (often called a "termite inspection") checks for termites, carpenter ants, and wood-boring beetles.
NFIP — National Flood Insurance Program, the FEMA-administered federally backed flood insurance available for properties in AE/VE flood zones.
HVAC — Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning; central to Florida property value and operating cost.
FIRPTA — Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, the U.S. statute requiring 15 % withholding on proceeds when a foreign person (including a Canadian) sells U.S. real property.
ITIN — Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, the IRS-issued tax ID for non-residents without a Social Security Number; obtained via Form W-7.
HO-6 — Individual condo owner's insurance policy (covers interior, personal property, and liability), complementing the association's master policy.

Touring & property types

Term (FL EN)	French translation	QC equivalent / Note
Single-Family Home	Maison unifamiliale	Direct equivalent.
Condo / Condominium	Condo	Different legal regime (Florida Condominium Act vs Quebec Civil Code).
Townhouse	Maison en rangée	Quebec townhouse equivalent.
Villa	Villa attachée	In FL often a side-by-side duplex. Not a "villa" in the European sense.
Manufactured / Mobile Home	Maison usinée / mobile	No direct QC equivalent. Built off-site.
Co-op	Coopérative d'habitation	Very rare in FL. You buy shares, not a condo unit.
Condotel	Condo-hôtel	Hybrid condo + hotel. Particular financing restrictions.
Open House	Visite libre	More common in FL than QC.
Showing	Visite sur rendez-vous	Coordinated by the broker.
Listing	Fiche / inscription	Listing contract on the seller side.
Listing Agent / Seller's Agent	Courtier inscripteur	Represents the seller exclusively, unless transactional broker.
Buyer's Agent	Courtier acheteur	Represents the buyer. Since 2024 NAR settlement, compensation is negotiated.
Realtor®	Realtor®	NAR member. Not all FL brokers are Realtors®.
Broker	Courtier (advanced license)	Higher than sales associate, can supervise other agents.
Sales Associate	Agent immobilier	Basic FL license, must work under a broker.
DBPR	Department of Business and Professional Regulation	FL real estate regulator. Functional equivalent of OACIQ.
Waterfront	Bord de l'eau	Water type specified: Oceanfront, Bayfront, Canal, Lake, Intracoastal.
Gated Community	Communauté fermée	With guard or coded gate. Very common in FL.

Contract & offer

Term	French	QC equivalent / Note
FAR/BAR Contract	Contrat FAR/BAR	Florida Realtors / Florida Bar standard contract. Functional equivalent of OACIQ purchase promise.
As-Is Contract	Contrat « tel quel »	FAR/BAR variant without seller-repair clause.
Offer	Offre	A Quebec "promesse d'achat" is called an offer in FL.
Counter-Offer	Contre-offre	Direct equivalent.
Earnest Money Deposit (EMD)	Acompte de bonne foi	Often 1–10 % of price. Held in escrow. QC deposit is less formal.
Escrow	Compte en fidéicommis	Third-party account held by an escrow agent (often a title company).
Contingency	Clause / condition	Inspection, financing, sale of buyer's home, appraisal.
Inspection Period	Période d'inspection	Typically 5–15 days after acceptance.
Financing Contingency	Condition de financement	Window to obtain mortgage commitment.
Appraisal Contingency	Condition d'évaluation	If appraisal < price, buyer can renegotiate or withdraw.
Effective Date	Date d'effet	Date the offer becomes a binding contract (full signatures).
Closing Date	Date de fermeture	Equivalent to QC notarized signing date — but no notary in FL.
Time is of the Essence	Délais de rigueur	Key FAR/BAR clause: any missed deadline = breach.
Liquidated Damages	Dommages-intérêts liquidés	EMD can be retained by seller on buyer default.
Specific Performance	Exécution forcée	Available remedy on both sides in FL.
Riders / Addenda	Annexes	Add-on clauses (HOA, condo, foreign buyer, FIRPTA, etc.).

Financing & mortgage

Term	French	QC equivalent / Note
Mortgage	Hypothèque	Direct equivalent.
Foreign National Loan	Prêt non-résident	Specific category for Canadians and other non-citizens. 30–40 % down typical.
Pre-Qualification	Pré-qualification	Informal estimate.
Pre-Approval	Pré-approbation	Conditional commitment after lender verification.
Loan Estimate	Estimation de prêt	Federal standardized form (TILA-RESPA). Must be issued within 3 days.
Closing Disclosure	Divulgation de fermeture	Federal form, must be received 3 days before closing.
Down Payment	Mise de fonds	20 % minimum US standard; 30–40 % for foreign national.
PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance)	Assurance prêt hypothécaire	Required if down payment < 20 %. Quebec equivalent: CMHC.
Origination Fee	Frais d'ouverture du prêt	Often 0.5–1 % of loan.
Discount Points	Points d'escompte	1 point = 1 % of loan paid upfront to lower rate.
Escrow Account (taxes/insurance)	Compte de réserve	Lender holds monthly to pay taxes and insurance.
Amortization	Amortissement	Direct equivalent.
30-Year Fixed	30 ans à taux fixe	US standard. Quebec's 5-year variable isn't the FL default.
ARM (Adjustable-Rate Mortgage)	Hypothèque à taux variable	Often 5/1, 7/1 (fixed then adjustable).
Refinance	Refinancement	Direct equivalent.
Underwriting	Souscription	Lender validation phase.
Appraisal	Évaluation	By a licensed appraiser (≈ $400–$800).
Wire Transfer	Virement bancaire	US standard for closing funds.

Inspection & due diligence

Term	French	QC equivalent / Note
General Home Inspection	Inspection générale	Equivalent to QC pre-purchase inspection. ≈ $350–$700.
4-Point Inspection	Inspection 4 points	Roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC. Required by FL insurers for 25+ year homes.
Wind Mitigation Inspection	Inspection ouragan	Documents hurricane protections. Earns insurance credits.
WDO / Termite Inspection	Inspection termites	Wood-Destroying Organisms. Often < $100.
Survey	Certificat de localisation	Functional equivalent but simpler. ≈ $350–$600.
Title Search	Recherche de titres	Conducted by the title company.
Due Diligence Period	Période de vérifications	Synonym of inspection period in AS-IS contract.
Walk-Through	Inspection finale	24–48 h before closing, condition check.
Permits Search	Recherche de permis	Verify no open permits remain.
Open Permit	Permis non fermé	Unsigned-off work. Buyer risk.
Seller's Disclosure	Déclaration du vendeur	Functional equivalent of QC DV form.

Closing, title & deed

Term	French	QC equivalent / Note
Closing	Fermeture / signature	In FL, before a closing agent (often a title company), not a notary.
Title Company	Société de titres	Plays several roles of the Quebec notary.
Title Insurance	Assurance de titre	Owner's policy + Lender's policy. Foreign concept in QC.
Owner's Title Policy	Police acheteur	Covers buyer as long as they own.
Lender's Title Policy	Police prêteur	Required if mortgage.
Deed	Acte de vente	Warranty Deed = with warranties. Quitclaim = without.
Warranty Deed	Acte avec garanties	Standard for arm's-length sales.
Quit Claim Deed	Acte de renonciation	No warranties. Often for family transfers.
Lady Bird Deed	Acte « Lady Bird »	FL-specific. Transfers property at death without probate.
Settlement Statement	État des comptes	Itemized fees. Also called HUD-1 or ALTA Settlement Statement.
Recording	Inscription	Filing of the deed at the county registry.
Possession Date	Date de prise de possession	Often closing day. Sometimes deferred.
Closing Costs	Frais de fermeture	Buyer-side: typically 2–5 % of price in FL.
Prorations	Prorations	Pro-rata split of taxes, HOA, etc. at closing date.

Taxation & taxes

Term	French	QC equivalent / Note
Property Tax	Taxe foncière	Equivalent to QC municipal + school tax.
Millage Rate	Taux par millième	1 mill = 0.1 %. A rate of 18 mills = 1.8 % of taxable value.
Assessed Value	Valeur d'évaluation	Set by county property appraiser. Often 80–95 % of sale price.
Just Value / Market Value	Valeur marchande	County estimate of market value.
Taxable Value	Valeur taxable	Assessed value minus exemptions.
Homestead Exemption	Exemption résidentielle	$50,000 deduction. FL permanent residents only.
Save Our Homes	Plafond 3 % par an	Caps homesteaded taxable-value increase at 3 %/year.
Portability	Portabilité	Transfer accumulated Save Our Homes to a new FL residence.
10 % Cap	Plafond 10 %	For non-homestead. Caps annual increase at 10 %.
Doc Stamps / Documentary Stamp Tax	Droits de timbres	0.70 % of price on the deed. Equivalent to QC welcome tax (transfer tax).
Intangible Tax	Taxe sur l'intangible	0.002 % of mortgage amount.
FIRPTA	Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act	15 % withholding on Canadian seller. See our FIRPTA guide.
ITIN	Individual Taxpayer Identification Number	For Canadians without SSN. Form W-7.
1031 Exchange	Échange différé	Defers capital gains tax. Applies only between US properties.
Capital Gain	Gain en capital	Taxed in US and Canada (with foreign tax credit).
1040-NR	US non-resident return	Federal form for Canadians with US income.

Condo, HOA & co-ownership

Term	French	QC equivalent / Note
HOA (Homeowners Association)	Association de propriétaires	Broader than QC. Can cover single-family in gated community.
Condo Association	Syndicat de copropriété	Direct equivalent.
HOA Fees	Frais de copropriété	Monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual.
Special Assessment	Cotisation spéciale	For major work. Crucial post-Surfside and SB 4-D.
Master Policy	Police d'assurance principale	Walls-out vs walls-in (bare walls): crucial difference.
Walls-Out / Walls-In	Avec / sans murs intérieurs	Determines what your HO-6 must cover.
HO-6	Assurance condo individuelle	Complements the master policy.
Reserve Study	Étude des fonds de réserve	Forecast of future predictable costs.
Milestone Inspection	Inspection « jalon »	Required for 30+ year FL condos since SB 4-D 2022.
Condo Docs	Documents du condo	Declaration, Bylaws, Rules, Financials, Reserve Study.
Declaration of Condominium	Déclaration de copropriété	Founding deed of the condominium.
Bylaws	Règlements	Governance rules.
Rules and Regulations	Règlement intérieur	Pets, rentals, common-area use.
Right of First Refusal	Droit de premier refus	Condo can buy in your place. Rare but verify.
Estoppel Letter	Lettre d'estoppel	Confirms HOA / condo account status at closing.

Home & hurricane insurance

Term	French	QC equivalent / Note
Hazard Insurance	Assurance habitation	Standard fire, theft.
Hurricane / Wind Insurance	Assurance ouragan	Often separate deductible (2–10 % of insured value).
Flood Insurance	Assurance inondation	Separate. Often NFIP (FEMA) for AE/VE zones.
NFIP	National Flood Insurance Program	Federal program. Limited caps.
Citizens (Citizens Property Insurance)	Assureur public de dernier recours	When private market refuses.
Wind Mitigation Credit	Crédit ouragan	Premium reduction tied to protections.
Hurricane Deductible	Franchise ouragan	Percentage of insured value, not a fixed amount.
Flood Zone	Zone d'inondation	X (low), AE (moderate), VE (high-energy coastal).
Base Flood Elevation (BFE)	Cote d'inondation de référence	Height in feet above sea level.
Replacement Cost	Coût de remplacement à neuf	Preferable to actual cash value.
Loss of Use	Perte d'usage	Temporary housing if property uninhabitable.

Florida architecture & terminology

Term	French	Note
Lanai	Terrasse couverte	Often screened. FL/Hawaii-specific.
Screened Porch	Galerie moustiquaire	FL standard for outdoor living without mosquitoes.
Florida Room	Pièce vitrée 4 saisons	Often air-conditioned.
Pool Cage	Cage de piscine	Aluminum + screen structure covering the pool.
Carport	Auvent à voiture	Roof without walls.
Lot	Terrain	Lot Size in sqft or acres.
Cul-de-Sac	Cul-de-sac	Accepted in both languages.
Stucco	Stuc / crépi	Very common FL exterior cladding.
Tile Roof	Toiture de tuiles	30–50 year life. Pricier but more durable.
Asphalt Shingle Roof	Bardeaux d'asphalte	15–25 year life. North American standard.
Metal Roof	Toiture métallique	Excellent hurricane resistance.
Hurricane Shutters	Volets ouragan	Manual (panels) or automatic (accordion, roll-down).
Impact Glass	Verre d'impact	Permanent alternative to shutters.
Hurricane Strap	Sangle d'ancrage	Connects roof to walls.
HVAC	Chauffage-climatisation	Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning.
Septic vs Sewer	Septique vs égout	Verify in semi-rural zones.
Well	Puits	Private water, verify quality and capacity.
Driveway	Entrée de garage	Paved, concrete, gravel, or shellrock.

False friends & translation traps

These terms look familiar but mean something else in Florida real estate:

Term	What it means in FL	What it does not mean
"Notarized"	Signed before a notary public (basic sworn officer)	≠ Quebec notarized act (authentic act)
"Closing"	Final signing at the closing agent	≠ Montreal "closing" (which doesn't exist as a term)
"Escrow"	Third-party held account	≠ Quebec banking jargon
"Title"	Property right + chain of title	≠ job title
"Stories"	Floors	≠ narratives
"Acre"	Land measure (4,047 m²)	≠ "acrid"
"Half Bath"	Toilet + sink, no shower	= QC "salle d'eau"
"Master Bedroom"	Primary bedroom	Increasingly being replaced by Primary Bedroom.
"Lot"	Land parcel	≠ "a lot of"
"HOA fees"	Mandatory recurring fees	Don't always cover what QC condo fees cover
"Pending"	Offer accepted, awaiting closing	≠ vague "pending"
"As-Is"	Sold without seller-repair recourse	≠ no inspection (inspection still possible)
"Zoning RS-1"	Single-family residential, low density	FL municipality-specific zoning system
"Title Search"	Property history search	≠ bibliographic title search
"Realtor®"	NAR member (trademarked)	≠ any real estate broker (non-NAR brokers aren't "Realtors")

Editorial team

CanadaFlorida Editorial Team

Research drawn from primary public sources cited at the bottom of every guide: U.S. and Florida statutes, U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, official Florida county and state authorities, and Canadian provincial bodies where applicable.

Every figure, rate, threshold, and deadline in this guide is drawn from a verifiable primary source listed at the bottom of the page. The article is updated whenever the underlying rules change, with a fresh review date stamped at the top.

Sources and references

Glossary compiled from standard Florida real estate sources and customary Quebec translations.

Florida Realtors — glossary and standard forms. floridarealtors.org
The Florida Bar — legal terminology. floridabar.org
OACIQ — Quebec terminology. oaciq.com
NAR — Realtor® terminology. nar.realtor
Florida Statutes Chapter 718 — Condominium Act. flsenate.gov
Florida Statutes Chapter 720 — Homeowners Associations. flsenate.gov
Florida Statutes Chapter 689 — Conveyances. flsenate.gov
Florida DBPR. myfloridalicense.com

Logical next step

With the vocabulary clear, tackle the reference contract: the FAR/BAR.

Read the FAR/BAR guide →

Disclaimer

This glossary is for educational purpose only. Translations are indicative and have no legal weight. For any contractual or legal interpretation, consult a lawyer licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.