The Internet has made apartment-searching easier than ever before, but if you choose to use your local newspaper or tabloid as a resource, you're going to be met with a few abbreviations which may not ring a bell. Some of these terms are straightforward and relatively self-explanatory, while others are "code words" that could be an attempt to put a positive spin on the drawbacks of the apartment.

Take, for instance, the term "loft." Loft apartments are a hot commodity these days. People tend to associate them with hip, urban areas and unique architecture -- brick walls, exposed beams, wood floors and large windows overlooking the city. We also associate the term "loft" with a unit that has two levels -- a larger downstairs portion as well as an upstairs portion, usually just a single bedroom or sitting area. This layout creates the illusion of more space because the ceiling in such a unit is high in order to accommodate the upstairs area.

Here are a few other translations to help take the confusion out of your apartment search:

"Cozy" means either very small at best, or claustrophobic at worst.

"Alcove" means an area adjacent to the living room that may be used as sleeping quarters, a separate sitting area, home office, dining room, etc.

"Convertible" or "Flex" means that the alcove located off of the living room area is large enough to be used as an additional bedroom, if desired.

"Junior" or "Junior One Bedroom" means that while you do have an alcove adjacent to the living room that may be converted into use as a bedroom, it's a small bedroom (and of course, "small" is a subjective term). You're probably going to be able to fit one bed (single or full-size, queen-size if you're lucky, and definitely not king) and a dresser or nightstand in a junior bedroom. It's an excellent space for guests.

"Studio" technically means a two-room apartment consisting of a kitchen (one room) and the rest of the unit (second room), which serves as your combination living room and bedroom. Some studios actually contain alcoves for the sleeping area. (It's somewhat surprising that according to this definition, a studio is larger than the above-mentioned interpretation of a loft apartment.)

"EIK" means "Eat-In Kitchen." If you don't see this abbreviation in the description of the apartment, you can't guarantee that you'll have one. In that case, you're likely to have a high countertop against which you may place barstools.

"WIC" means "Walk-In Closet." The more WICs, the better. "D/W," of course, means "Dishwasher," and "W/D" means "Washer/Dryer," neither of which you'll want to live without if you can help it. You don't mind hand-washing your dishes and using the Laundromat down the street, you say? Will your answer be the same in six months?

"F/P" means "Fireplace." Unfortunately, you can't assume you'll get one in your unit unless it's directly stated. Even if you get a fireplace in your unit, you could encounter a landlord who forbids you to light fires if you live in a historic building.

"DM" "Doorman Building." That's an expense you'll want to consider assuming in any large city. Buildings with doormen tend to be larger and taller, with elevators. "Reno" means that the unit or the building in general was recently renovated. Be careful. The term "renovation" also is subjective. Don't rent a "reno" sight-unseen. You might be expecting an apartment in like-new condition, but your landlord may have decided that the term "reno" was justifiable after he replaced your bedroom doorknob and left the avocado green carpeting and broken appliances alone.

"Furnished Apartment" means that you'll have the basics covered ... but don't call House Beautiful and tell them to shoot your apartment for next month's cover. You'll have your sofa, your kitchen table and chairs, your bed, a dresser and probably your basic household items. These units are perfect for people who need temporary housing (for a short-term business assignment, for example). More often these days, you'll see corporate housing companies offering their services in major metropolitan markets; corporate housing is probably your best bet in these circumstances, because you can be fairly certain that all of your needs will be met.

A word of caution: All of the above-listed terms are subject to change, depending upon the landlord's own definitions. While many landlords don't deliberately set out to deceive prospective tenants, they may simply define these terms differently than you do. And it's easy in your rush to find an apartment as quickly as possible to put on your rose-colored glasses and assume that "cozy" means homey and not tiny.

The best strategy is to allow yourself as much time as possible to find your new apartment. Don't sign anything until you've walked through the unit and thoroughly inspected it. If you answer an advertisement and enter a unit only to feel that you've been misled or that something isn't quite right, leave immediately. Trust your instincts. If they're telling you that this isn't home in the first five minutes or that the landlord isn't sincere in his pledge to make repairs in the unit (a good tip-off is a landlord's reluctance to put that pledge in writing), you're not going to change your mind later and decide that you really have found the apartment of your dreams.

The apartment market is more active than ever. Take advantage of these hot markets, and comparison shop. You won't regret your decision if you proceed with caution.

Note: This article reflects the opinions of Courtney Ronan only and not necessarily the views of CSRAApartmentfinder.com, or The Augusta Chronicle.