Navigating the world of real estate can be overwhelming, with a plethora of jargon and technical terms that can add confusion to the already complex process of buying or selling a home. To aid in your understanding and planning, we’ve created a comprehensive resource to help demystify the language of real estate. Our constantly expanding list of real estate terms covers everything you need to know and is organized by category. With clear and easy to understand explanations of each term, arranged in alphabetical order, you’ll be able to speak the language of real estate with confidence.
ABANDONMENT — The failure to occupy and use property that may result in a loss of rights.
ABATEMENT OF NUISANCE — Extinction or termination of a nuisance.
ABSOLUTE OWNERSHIP — See FEE SIMPLE ESTATE.
ABSTRACT OF JUDGMENT — A condensation of the essential provisions of a court judgment.
ABSTRACT OF TITLE — A summary or digest of all transfers, conveyances, legal proceedings, and any other facts relied on as evidence of title, showing continuity of ownership, together with any other elements of record which may impair title.
ABSTRACTION — A method of valuing land. The indicated value of the improvement is deducted from the sale price.
ACCELERATED COST RECOVERY SYSTEM — The system for figuring depreciation (cost recovery) for depreciable real property acquired and placed into service after January 1, 1981. (ACRS)
ACCELERATED DEPRECIATION — A method of cost write-off in which depreciation allowances are greater in the first few years of ownership than in subsequent years. This permits an earlier recovery of capital and a faster tax write-off of an asset.
ACCELERATION CLAUSE — A condition in a real estate financing instrument giving the lender the power to declare all sums owing lender immediately due and payable upon the happening of an event, such as sale of the property, or a delinquency in the repayment of the note.
ACCEPTANCE — The act of agreeing or consenting to the terms of an offer thereby establishing the “meeting of the minds” that is an essential element of a contract.
ACCESS RIGHT — The right of an owner to have ingress and egress to and from owner’s property over adjoining property.
ACCESSION — An addition to property through the efforts of man or by natural forces.
ACCRETION — Accession by natural forces, e.g., alluvium.
ACCRUED DEPRECIATION — The difference between the cost of replacement new as of the date of the appraisal and the present appraised value.
ACCRUED ITEMS OF EXPENSE — Those incurred expenses which are not yet payable. The seller’s accrued expenses are credited to the purchaser in a closing statement.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT — A formal declaration made before an authorized person, e.g., a notary public, by a person who has executed an instrument stating that the execution was his or her free act. In this state an acknowledgment is the statement by an officer such as a notary that the signatory to the instrument is the person represented to be.
ACOUSTICAL TILE — Blocks of fiber, mineral or metal, with small holes or rough-textured surface to absorb sound, used as covering for interior walls and ceilings.
ACQUISITION — The act or process by which a person procures property.
ACRE — A measure of land equaling 160 square rods, or 4,840 square yards, or 43,560 square feet, or a tract about 208.71 feet square.
ACTUAL AUTHORITY — Authority expressly given by the principal or given by the law and not denied by the principal.
ACTUAL FRAUD — An act intended to deceive another, e.g., making a false statement, making a promise without intending to perform it, suppressing the truth.
ADDENDUM — Additional pages of material that are added to and become part of a contract.
ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE (ARM) — A mortgage loan which bears interest at a rate subject to change during the term of the loan, predetermined or otherwise.
ADJUSTMENTS — In appraising, a means by which characteristics of a residential property are regulated by dollar amount or percentage to conform to similar characteristics of another residential property.
ADMINISTRATOR — A person appointed by the probate court to administer the estate of a deceased person who died intestate. (Administratrix, the feminine form.)
ADR — See ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
AD VALOREM — A Latin phrase meaning “according to value.” Usually used in connection with real estate taxation.
ADVANCE — Transfer of funds from a lender to a borrower in advance on a loan.
ADVANCE COMMITMENT — The institutional investor’s prior agreement to provide long-term financing upon completion of construction; also known as a “take-out” loan commitment.
ADVANCE FEES — A fee paid in advance of any services rendered. Sometimes unlawfully charged in connection with that illegal practice of obtaining a fee in advance for the advertising of property or businesses for sale, with no intent to obtain a buyer, by persons representing themselves as real estate licensees, or representatives of licensed real estate firms.
ADVERSE POSSESSION — A method of acquiring title to real property through possession of the property for a statutory period under certain conditions by a person other than the owner of record.
AFFIANT — One who makes an affidavit or gives evidence.
AFFIDAVIT — A statement or declaration reduced to writing sworn to or affirmed before some officer who has authority to administer an oath or affirmation.
AFFIDAVIT OF TITLE — A statement, in writing, made under oath by seller or grantor, acknowledged before a Notary Public in which the affiant identifies himself or herself and affiant’s marital status certifying that since the examination of title on the contract date there are no judgments, bankruptcies or divorces, no unrecorded deeds, contracts, unpaid repairs or improvements or defects of title known to affiant and that affiant is in possession of the property.
AFFIRM — To confirm, to aver, to ratify, to verify. To make a declaration.
AGENCY — The relationship between principal and the principal’s agent which arises out of a contract, either expressed or implied, written or oral, wherein the agent is employed by the principal to do certain acts dealing with a third party.
AGENT — One who acts for and with authority from another called the principal.
AGREEMENT — An exchange of promises, a mutual understanding or arrangement; a contract.
AGREEMENT OF SALE — A written agreement or contract between seller and purchaser in which they reach a “meeting of minds” on the terms and conditions of the sale. The parties concur; are in harmonious opinion.
AIR RIGHTS — The rights in real property to the reasonable use of the air space above the surface of the land.
ALIENATION — The transferring of property to another; the transfer of property and possession of lands, or other things, from one person to another.
ALIENATION CLAUSE — A clause in a contract giving the lender certain rights in the event of a sale or other transfer of mortgaged property.
ALLODIAL TENURE — A real property ownership system where ownership may be complete except for those rights held by the government. Allodial is in contrast to feudal tenure.
ALLUVIUM — The gradual increase of the earth on a shore of an ocean or bank of a stream resulting from the action of the water.
ALTA OWNER’S POLICY — An owner’s extended coverage policy that provides buyers and owners the same protection the ALTA policy gives to lenders.
ALTA TITLE POLICY — (American Land Title Association) A type of title insurance policy issued by title insurance companies which expands the risks normally insured against under the standard type policy to include unrecorded mechanic’s liens; unrecorded physical easements; facts a physical survey would show; water and mineral rights; and rights of parties in possession, such as tenants and buyers under unrecorded instruments.
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR) — The resolution of disputes by various means including, but not limited to negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
AMENITIES — Satisfaction of enjoyable living to be derived from a home; conditions of agreeable living or a beneficial influence from the location of improvements, not measured in monetary considerations but rather as tangible and intangible benefits attributable to the property, often causing greater pride in ownership.
AMORTIZATION — The liquidation of a financial obligation on an installment basis; also, recovery over a period of cost or value.
AMORTIZED LOAN — A loan to be repaid, interest and principal, by a series of regular payments that are equal or nearly equal, without any special balloon payment prior to maturity. Also called a Level Payments Loan.
ANNEXATION — The attaching of personal property to land so that the law views it as part of the real property (a fixture). Annexation can be actual or constructive.
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE — The relative cost of credit as determined in accordance with Regulation Z of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for implementing the Federal Truth in Lending Act.
ANNUITY — A sum of money received at fixed intervals, such as a series of assured equal or nearly equal payments to be made over a period of time, or it may be a lump sum payment to be made in the future. The installment payments due to the landlord under a lease is an annuity. So are the installment payments due to a lender.
ANTICIPATION, PRINCIPLE OF — Affirms that value is created by anticipated benefits to be derived in the future.
APPELLANT — A party appealing a court decision or ruling.
APPRAISAL — An estimate of the value of property resulting from an analysis of facts about the property. An opinion of value.
APPRAISER — One qualified by education, training and experience who is hired to estimate the value of real and personal property based on experience, judgment, facts, and use of formal appraisal processes.
APPROPRIATION OF WATER — The taking, impounding or diversion of water flowing on the public domain from its natural course and the application of the water to some beneficial use personal and exclusive to the appropriator.
APPURTENANCE: That which belongs to something, but not immemorially; all those rights, privileges, and improvements which belong to and pass with the transfer of the property, but which are not necessarily a part of the actual property. Appurtenances to real property pass with the real property to which they are appurtenant, unless a contrary intention is manifested. Typical appurtenances are rights-of-way, easements, water rights, and any property improvements.
APPURTENANT — Belonging to; adjunct; appended or annexed to. For example, the garage is appurtenant to the house, and the common interest in the common elements of a condominium is appurtenant to each apartment. Appurtenant items pass with the land when the property is transferred.
APR — See ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE.
ARBITRATION — A neutral third party who listens to each party’s position and makes a final binding decision.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE — Generally the appearance and character of a building’s design and construction.
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION — An instrument setting forth the basic rules and purposes under which a private corporation is formed.
ARTIFICIAL PERSON — Persons created by law; a corporation.
ASSESSED VALUATION — A valuation placed upon a piece of property by a public authority as a basis for levying taxes on the property.
ASSESSMENT — The valuation of property for the purpose of levying a tax or the amount of the tax levied. Also, payments made to a common interest subdivision homeowners- association for maintenance and reserves.
ASSESSOR — The official who has the responsibility of determining assessed values.
ASSIGNMENT — A transfer to another of any property in possession or in action, or of any estate or right therein. A transfer by a person of that person’s rights under a contract.
ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS — A provision in a deed of trust (or mortgage) under which the beneficiary may, upon default by the trustor, take possession of the property, collect income from the property and apply it to the loan balance and the costs incurred by the beneficiary.
ASSIGNOR — One who assigns or transfers property.
ASSIGNS, ASSIGNEES — Those to whom property or interests therein shall have been transferred.
ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT — An undertaking or adoption of a debt or obligation primarily resting upon another person.
ASSUMPTION FEE — A lender’s charge for changing over and processing new records for a new owner who is assuming an existing loan.
ASSUMPTION OF MORTGAGE — The taking of a title to property by a grantee wherein grantee assumes liability for payment of an existing note secured by a mortgage or deed of trust against the property, becoming a co-guarantor for the payment of a mortgage or deed of trust note.
ATTACHMENT — The process by which real or personal property of a party to a lawsuit is seized and retained in the custody of the court for the purpose of acquiring jurisdiction over the property, to compel an appearance before the court, or to furnish security for a debt or costs arising out of the litigation.
ATTEST — To affirm to be true or genuine; an official act establishing authenticity.
ATTORNEY IN FACT — One who is authorized by another to perform certain acts for another under a power of attorney; power of attorney may be limited to a specific act or acts or be general.
AVULSION — A sudden and perceptible loss of land by the action of water as by a sudden change in the course of a river.
BACKFILL — The replacement of excavated earth into a hole or against a structure.
BALANCE SHEET — A statement of the financial condition of a business at a certain time showing assets, liabilities, and capital.
BALLOON PAYMENT — An installment payment on a promissory note – usually the final one for
discharging the debt – which is significantly larger than the other installment payments provided under the terms of the promissory note.
BARGAIN AND SALE DEED — Any deed that recites a consideration and purports to convey the real estate; a bargain and sale deed with a covenant against the grantor’s act is one in which the grantor warrants that grantor has done nothing to harm or cloud the title.
BASE AND MERIDIAN — Imaginary lines used by surveyors to find and describe the location of private or public lands. In government surveys, a base line runs due east and west, meridians run due north and south, and are used to establish township boundaries.
BASIS — (1) Cost Basis—The dollar amount assigned to property at the time of acquisition under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code for the purpose of determining gain, loss and depreciation in calculating the income tax to be paid upon the sale or exchange of the property. (2) Adjusted Cost Basis—The cost basis after the application of certain additions for improvements, etc., and deductions for depreciation, etc.
BEARING WALL — A wall or partition which supports a part of a building, usually a roof or floor above.
BENCH MARK — A monument used to establish the elevation of the point, usually relative to Mean Sea Level, but often to some local datum.
BENEFICIARY — (1) One entitled to the benefit of a trust; (2) One who receives profit from an estate, the title of which is vested in a trustee; (3) The lender on the security of a note and deed of trust.
BEQUEATH — To give or hand down by will; to leave by will.
BEQUEST — Personal property given by the terms of a will.
BETTERMENT — An improvement upon property which increases the property value and is considered as a capital asset as distinguished from repairs or replacements where the original character or cost is unchanged.
BILL OF SALE — A written instrument given to pass title of personal property from vendor to the vendee.
BINDER — An agreement to consider a down payment for the purchase of real estate as evidence of good faith on the part of the purchaser. Also, a notation of coverage on an insurance policy, issued by an agent, and given to the insured prior to issuing of the policy.
BLANKET MORTGAGE — A single mortgage which covers more than one piece of real property.
BLIGHTED AREA — A district affected by detrimental influences of such extent or quantity that real property values have seriously declined as a result of adverse land use and/or destructive economic forces; characterized by rapidly depreciating buildings, retrogression and no recognizable prospects for improvement. However, renewal programs and changes in use may lead to resurgence of such areas.
BLOCKBUSTING — The practice on the part of unscrupulous speculators or real estate agents of inducing panic selling of homes at prices below market value, especially by exploiting the prejudices of property owners in neighborhoods in which the racial make-up is changing or appears to be on the verge of changing.
BONA FIDE — In good faith; without fraud or deceit; authentic.
BOND — Written evidence of an obligation given by a corporation or government entity. A surety instrument.
BOOK VALUE — The current value for accounting purposes of an asset expressed as original cost plus capital additions minus accumulated depreciation.
BREACH — The breaking of a law, or failure of duty, either by omission or commission.
BROKER — A person employed for a fee by another to carry on any of the activities listed in the license law definition of a broker.
BROKER-SALESPERSON RELATIONSHIP AGREEMENT — A written agreement required by the regulations of the Real Estate Commissioner setting forth the material aspects of the relationship between a real estate broker and each salesperson and broker performing licensed activities in the name of the supervising broker.
B.T.U. — British thermal unit. The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
BUILDING CODE — A systematic regulation of construction of buildings within a municipality established by ordinance or law.
BUILDING LINE — A line set by law a certain distance from a street line in front of which an owner cannot build on the owner’s lot. A setback line.
BUILDING, MARKET VALUE OF — The sum of money which the presence of that structure adds to or subtracts from the value of the land it occupies. Land valued on the basis of highest and best use.
BUILDING RESTRICTIONS — Zoning, regulatory requirements or provisions in a deed limiting the type, size and use of a building.
BUNDLE OF RIGHTS — All of the legal rights incident to ownership of property including rights of use, possession, encumbering and disposition.
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT — A federal bureau within the Department of the Interior which manages and controls certain lands owned by the United States.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY — The assets for an existing business enterprise including its goodwill. As used in the Real Estate Law, the term includes “the sale or lease of the business and goodwill of an existing business enterprise or opportunity.”
BUYDOWN — See Subsidy BUYDOWN.
BUYER’S MARKET — The condition which exists when a buyer is in a more commanding position as to price and terms because real property offered for sale is in plentiful supply in relation to demand.
BYLAWS — Rules for the conduct of the internal affairs of corporations and other organizations.
CAL-VET PROGRAM — A program administered by the State Department of Veterans Affairs for the direct financing of farm and home purchases by eligible California veterans of the armed forces.
CC&Rs — Covenants, conditions and restrictions. The basic rules establishing the rights and obligations of owners (and their successors in interest) of real property within a subdivision or other tract of land in relation to other owners within the same subdivision or tract and in relation to an association of owners organized for the purpose of operating and maintaining property commonly owned by the individual owners.
CCIM — Certified Commercial Investment Member.
CPM© — Certified Property Manager, a designation of the Institute of Real Estate Management.
CAPACITY — The legal ability to perform some act, such as enter into a contract or execute a deed or will.
CAPITAL ASSETS — Assets of a permanent nature used in the production of an income, such as land, buildings, machinery and equipment, etc. Under income tax law, it is usually distinguishable from “inventory” which comprises assets held for sale to customers in ordinary course of the taxpayer’s trade or business.
CAPITAL GAIN — At resale of a capital item, the amount by which the net sale proceeds exceed the adjusted cost basis (book value). Used for income tax computations. Gains are called short or long term based upon length of holding period after acquisition. Usually taxed at lower rates than ordinary income.
CAPITALIZATION — In appraising, determining value of property by considering net income and percentage of reasonable return on the investment. The value of an income property is determined by dividing annual net income by the Capitalization Rate.
CAPITALIZATION RATE — The rate of interest which is considered a reasonable return on the investment, and used in the process of determining value based upon net income. It may also be described as the yield rate that is necessary to attract the money of the average investor to a particular kind of investment. In the case of land improvements which depreciate, to this yield rate is added a factor to take into consideration the annual amortization factor necessary to recapture the initial investment in improvements. This amortization factor can be determined in various ways — (1) straight-line depreciation method, (2) Inwood Tables and (3) Hoskold Tables. (To explore this subject in greater depth, the student should refer to current real estate
appraisal texts.)
CAP RATE — See LIFE OF LOAN CAP.
CARRYBACK LOAN — The extension of credit from the seller to the buyer to finance the purchase of the property, accepting a deed of trust or mortgage instead of cash. Sometimes called a purchase money loan.
CASEMENT WINDOWS — Frames of wood or metal which swing outward.
CASH FLOW — The net income generated by a property before depreciation and other noncash expenses.
CAVEAT EMPTOR — Let the buyer beware. The buyer must examine the goods or property and buy at his or her own risk, absent misrepresentation.
CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY — Issued by Department of Veterans Affairs – evidence of individual’s eligibility to obtain VA loan.
CERTIFICATE OF REASONABLE VALUE (CRV) — The Federal VA appraisal commitment of property value.
CERTIFICATE OF TAXES DUE — A written statement or guaranty of the condition of the taxes on a certain property made by the County Treasurer of the county wherein the property is located. Any loss resulting to any person from an error in a tax certificate shall be paid by the county which such treasurer represents.
CERTIFICATE OF TITLE — A written opinion by an attorney that ownership of the particular parcel of land is as stated in the certificate.
CHAIN — A unit of measurement used by surveyors. A chain consists of 100 links equal to 66 feet.
CHAIN OF TITLE — A history of conveyances and encumbrances affecting the title from the time the original patent was granted, or as far back as records are available, used to determine how title came to be vested in the current owner.
CHANGE, PRINCIPLE OF — Holds that it is the future, not the past, which is of prime importance in estimating value. Change is largely the result of cause and effect.
CHARACTERISTICS — Distinguishing features of a (residential) property.
CHATTEL MORTGAGE — A claim on personal property (instead of real property) used to secure or guarantee a promissory note. (See definition of Security Agreement and Security Interest.)
CHATTEL REAL — An estate related to real estate, such as a lease on real property.
CHATTELS — Goods or every species of property movable or immovable which are not real property. Personal property.
CHOSE IN ACTION — A personal right to something not presently in the owner’s possession, but recoverable by a legal action for possession.
CIRCUIT BREAKER — (l) An electrical device which automatically interrupts an electric circuit when an overload occurs; may be used instead of a fuse to protect each circuit and can be reset. (2) In property taxation, a method for granting property tax relief to the elderly and disadvantaged qualified taxpayers by rebate, tax credits or cash payments. Usually limited to homeowners and renters.
CLOSING — (l) Process by which all the parties to a real estate transaction conclude the details of a sale or mortgage. The process includes the signing and transfer of documents and distribution of funds. (2) Condition in description of real property by courses and distances at the boundary lines where the lines meet
to include all the tract of land.
CLOSING COSTS — The miscellaneous expenses buyers and sellers normally incur in the transfer of ownership of real property over and above the cost of the property.
CLOSING STATEMENT — An accounting of funds made to the buyer and seller separately. Required by law to be made at the completion of every real estate transaction.
CLOUD ON TITLE — A claim, encumbrance or condition which impairs the title to real property until disproved or eliminated as for example through a quitclaim deed or a quiet title legal action.
CODE OF ETHICS — A set of rules and principles expressing a standard of accepted conduct for a professional group and governing the relationship of members to each other and to the organization.
COLLATERAL — Marketable real or personal property which a borrower pledges as security for a loan. In mortgage transactions, specific land is the collateral. (See definition of Security Interest. )
COLLATERAL SECURITY — A separate obligation attached to a contract to guarantee its performance; the transfer of property or of other contracts, or valuables, to insure the performance of a principal agreement.
COLLUSION — An agreement between two or more persons to defraud another of rights by the forms of law, or to obtain an object forbidden by law.
COLOR OF TITLE — That which appears to be a good title but which is not in fact.
COMMERCIAL ACRE — A term applied to the remainder of an acre of newly subdivided land after the area devoted to streets, sidewalks and curbs, etc., has been deducted from the acre.
COMMERCIAL LOAN — A personal loan from a commercial bank, usually unsecured and short term, for other than mortgage purposes.
COMMERCIAL PAPER — Negotiable instruments such as promissory notes, letters of credit and bills of lading. Instruments developed under the law of merchants.
COMMINGLING — The illegal mixing of personal funds with money held in trust on behalf of a client. See CONVERSION.
COMMISSION — An agent’s compensation for performing the duties of the agency; in real estate practice, a percentage of the selling price of property, percentage of rentals, etc. A fee for services.
COMMITMENT — A pledge or a promise or firm agreement to do something in the future, such as a loan company giving a written commitment with specific terms of mortgage loan it will make.
COMMON AREA — An entire common interest subdivision except the separate interests therein.
COMMON INTEREST SUBDIVISION — Subdivided lands which include a separate interest in real property combined with an interest in common with other owners. The interest in common may be through membership in an association. Examples are condominiums and stock cooperatives.
COMMON LAW — The body of law that grew from customs and practices developed and used in England “since the memory of man runneth not to the contrary.”
COMMON STOCK — That class of corporate stock to which there is ordinarily attached no preference with respect to the receipt of dividends or the distribution of assets on corporate dissolution.
COMMUNITY PROPERTY — Property acquired by husband and/or wife during a marriage when not acquired as the separate property of either spouse. Each spouse has equal rights of management, alienation and testamentary disposition of community property.
COMPACTION — Whenever extra soil is added to a lot to fill in low places or to raise the level of the lot, the added soil is often too loose and soft to sustain the weight of the buildings. Therefore, it is necessary to compact the added soil so that it will carry the weight of buildings without the danger of their tilting, settling or cracking.
COMPARABLE SALES — Sales which have similar characteristics as the subject property and are used for analysis in the appraisal process. Commonly called “comparables”, they are recent selling prices of properties similarly situated in a similar market.
COMPARISON APPROACH — A real estate comparison method which compares a given property with similar or comparable surrounding properties; also called market comparison.
COMPETENT — Legally qualified.
COMPETITION, PRINCIPLE OF — Holds that profits tend to breed competition and excess profits tend to breed ruinous completion.
COMPOUND INTEREST — Interest paid on original principal and also on the accrued and unpaid interest which has accumulated as the debt matures.
CONCLUSION — The final estimate of value, realized from facts, data, experience and judgment, set out in an appraisal. Appraiser’s certified conclusion.
CONDEMNATION — The act of taking private property for public use by a political subdivision upon payment to owner of just compensation. Declaration that a structure is unfit for use.
CONDITION — In contracts, a future and uncertain event which must happen to create an obligation or which extinguishes an existent obligation. In conveyances of real property conditions in the conveyance may cause an interest to be vested or defeated.
CONDITION PRECEDENT — A qualification of a contract or transfer of property, providing that unless and until a given event occurs, the full effect of a contract or transfer will not take place.
CONDITION SUBSEQUENT — A condition attached to an already-vested estate or to a contract whereby the estate is defeated or the contract extinguished through the failure or non-performance of the condition.
CONDITIONAL COMMITMENT — A commitment of a definite loan amount for some future unknown purchaser of satisfactory credit standing.
CONDITIONAL ESTATE — Usually called, in California, Fee Simple Defeasible. An estate that is granted subject to a condition subsequent. The estate is terminable on happening of the condition.
CONDITIONAL SALE CONTRACT — A contract for the sale of property stating that delivery is to be made to the buyer, title to remain vested in the seller until the conditions of the contract have been fulfilled. (See definition of Security Interest.)
CONDOMINIUM — An estate in real property wherein there is an undivided interest in common in a portion of real property coupled with a separate interest in space called a unit, the boundaries of which are described on a recorded final map, parcel map or condominium plan. The areas within the boundaries may be filled with air, earth, or water or any combination and need not be attached to land except by easements for access and support.
CONDOMINIUM DECLARATION — The document which establishes a condominium and describes the property rights of the unit owners.
CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT — An entry of judgment upon the debtor’s voluntary admission or confession.
CONFIRMATION OF SALE — A court approval of the sale of property by an executor, administrator, guardian or conservator.
CONFISCATION — The seizing of property without compensation.
CONFORMITY, PRINCIPLE OF — Holds that the maximum of value is realized when a reasonable degree of homogeneity of improvements is present. Use conformity is desirable, creating and maintaining higher values.
CONSERVATION — The process of utilizing resources in such a manner which minimizes their depletion.
CONSIDERATION — Anything given or promised by a party to induce another to enter into a contract, e.g., personal services or even love and affection. It may be a benefit conferred upon one party or a detriment suffered by the other.
CONSTANT — The percentage which, when applied directly to the face value of a debt, develops the annual amount of money necessary to pay a specified net rate of interest on the reducing balance and to liquidate the debt in a specified time period. For example, a 6% loan with a 20 year amortization has a constant of approximately 8 1/2%. Thus, a $10,000 loan amortized over 20 years requires an annual payment of approximately $850.00.
CONSTRUCTION LOAN — A loan made to finance the actual construction or improvement on land. Funds are usually dispersed in increments as the construction progresses.
CONSTRUCTIVE EVICTION — Breach of a covenant of warranty or quiet enjoyment, e.g., the inability of a lessee to obtain possession because of a paramount defect in title or a condition making occupancy hazardous.
CONSTRUCTIVE FRAUD — A breach of duty, as by a person in a fiduciary capacity, without an actual fraudulent intent, which gains an advantage to the person at fault by misleading another to the other’s prejudice. Any act of omission declared by law to be fraudulent, without respect to actual fraud.
CONSTRUCTIVE NOTICE — Notice of the condition of title to real property given by the official records of a government entity which does not require actual knowledge of the information.
CONTIGUOUS — In close proximity.
CONTOUR — The surface configuration of land. Shown on maps as a line through points of equal elevation.
CONTRACT — An agreement to do or not to do a certain thing. It must have four essential elements — parties capable of contracting, consent of the parties, a lawful object, and consideration. A contract for sale of real property must also be in writing and signed by the party or parties to be charged with performance.
CONTRACT, BILATERAL — A contract in which each party promises to do something.
CONTRACT, EXECUTED — 1) A contract in which both parties have completely performed their contractual obligations. 2) A signed contract.
CONTRACT, EXECUTORY — A contract in which one or both parties have not yet completed performance of their obligations.
CONTRACT, EXPRESS — A contract that has been put into words, either spoken or written.
CONTRACT, IMPLIED — An agreement that has not been put into words, but is implied by the actions of the parties.
CONTRACT, UNILATERAL — When one party promises to do something if the other party performs a certain act, but the other party does not promise to perform it; the contract is formed only if the other party does perform the requested act.
CONTRIBUTION, PRINCIPLE OF — A component part of a property is valued in proportion to its contribution to the value of the whole. Holds that maximum values are achieved when the improvements on a site produce the highest (net) return, commensurate with the investment.
CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE — A mortgage securing a loan made by investors without governmental underwriting, i.e., which is not FHA insured or VA guaranteed. The type customarily made by a bank or savings and loan association.
CONVERSION — (1) Change from one legal form or use to another, as converting an apartment building to condominium use. (2) The unlawful appropriation of another’s property, as in the conversion of trust funds.
CONVEYANCE — An instrument in writing used to transfer (convey) title to property from one person to another, such as a deed or a trust deed.
COOPERATIVE (apartment) — An apartment building, owned by a corporation and in which tenancy in an apartment unit is obtained by purchase of shares of the stock of the corporation and where the owner of such shares is entitled to occupy a specific apartment in the building. In California, this type of ownership is called a “stock cooperative.”
CORNER INFLUENCE TABLE — A statistical table that may be used to estimate the added value of a corner lot.
CORPORATION — An entity established and treated by law as an individual or unit with rights and liabilities, or both, distinct and apart from those of the persons composing it. A corporation is a creature of law having certain powers and duties of a natural person. Being created by law it may continue for any length of time the law prescribes.
CORPOREAL RIGHTS — Possessory rights in real property.
CORRECTION LINES — A system for compensating inaccuracies in the Government Rectangular Survey
System due to the curvature of the earth. Every fourth township line, 24 mile intervals, is used as a correction line on which the intervals between the north and south range lines are remeasured and corrected to a full 6 miles.
CORRELATION — A step in the appraisal process involving the interpretation of data derived from the three approaches to value (cost, market and income) leading to a single determination of value. Also frequently referred to as “reconciliation.”
CO-SIGNER — A second party who signs a promissory note together with the primary borrower.
COST APPROACH — One of three methods in the appraisal process. An analysis in which a value estimate of a property is derived by estimating the replacement cost of the improvements, deducting therefrom the estimated accrued depreciation, then adding the market value of the land.
CO TENANCY — Ownership of an interest in a particular parcel of land by more than one person; e.g. tenancy in common, joint tenancy.
COUNTER OFFER — A response to an offer to enter into a contract, changing some of the terms of the terms of the original offer. A counter offer is a rejection of the offer (not a form of acceptance), and does not create a binding contract unless accepted by the original offeror.
COVENANT — An agreement or promise to do or not to do a particular act such as a promise to build a house of a particular architectural style or to use or not use property in a certain way.
CRAWL SPACE — Exterior or interior opening permitting access underneath building, as required by building codes.
CRE — Counselor of Real Estate, Member of American Society of Real Estate Counselors.
CREDIT — A bookkeeping entry on the right side of an account, recording the reduction or elimination of an asset or an expense, or the creation of or addition to a liability or item of equity or revenue.
CURABLE DEPRECIATION — Items of physical deterioration and functional obsolescence which are customarily repaired or replaced by a prudent property owner.
CURRENT INDEX — With regard to an adjustable rate mortgage, the current value of a recognized index as calculated and published nationally or regionally. The current index value changes periodically and is used in calculating the new note rate as of each rate adjustment date.
CURTAIL SCHEDULE — A listing of the amounts by which the principal sum of an obligation is to be reduced by partial payments and of the dates when each payment will become payable.
DAMAGES — The indemnity recoverable by a person who has sustained an injury, either in his or her person,property, or relative rights, through the act or default of another. Loss sustained or harm done to a person or property.
DATA PLANT — An appraiser’s file of information on real estate.
DEBENTURE — Bonds issued without security, an obligation not secured by a specific lien on property.
DEBIT — A bookkeeping entry on the left side of an account, recording the creation of or addition to an asset or an expense, or the reduction or elimination of a liability or item of equity or revenue.
DEBT — That which is due from one person or another; obligation, liability.
DEBTOR — A person who is in debt; the one owing money to another.
DECLINING BALANCE DEPRECIATION — A method of accelerated depreciation allowed by the IRS in certain circumstances. Double Declining Balance Depreciation is its most common form and is computed by using double the rate used for straight line depreciation.
DECREE OF FORECLOSURE — Decree by a court ordering the sale of mortgaged property and the payment of the debt owing to the lender out of the proceeds.
DEDICATION — The giving of land by its owner to a public use and the acceptance for such use by authorized officials on behalf of the public.
DEED — Written instrument which when properly executed and delivered conveys title to real property from one person (grantor) to another (grantee).
DEED IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE — A deed to real property accepted by a lender from a defaulting borrower to avoid the necessity of foreclosure proceedings by the lender.
DEED OF TRUST — (See Trust Deed.)
DEED RESTRICTIONS — Limitations in the deed to a property that dictate certain uses that may or may not be made of the property.
DEFAULT — Failure to fulfill a duty or promise or to discharge an obligation; omission or failure to perform any act.
DEFEASANCE CLAUSE — The clause in a mortgage that gives the mortgagor the right to redeem mortgagor’s property upon the payment of mortgagor’s obligations to the mortgagee.
DEFEASIBLE FEE — Sometimes called a base fee or qualified fee; a fee simple absolute interest in land that is capable of being defeated or terminated upon the happening of a specified event.
DEFENDANT — A person against whom legal action is initiated for the purpose of obtaining criminal sanctions (criminal defendant) or damages or other appropriate judicial relief (civil defendant) .
DEFERRED MAINTENANCE — Existing but unfulfilled requirements for repairs and rehabilitation. Postponed or delayed maintenance causing decline in a building’s physical condition.
DEFERRED PAYMENT OPTIONS — The privilege of deferring income payments to take advantage of statutes affording tax benefits.
DEFICIENCY JUDGMENT — A judgment given by a court when the value of security pledged for a loan is insufficient to pay off the debt of the defaulting borrower.
DELEGATION OF POWERS — The conferring by an agent upon another of all or certain of the powers that have been conferred upon the agent by the principal.
DEPOSIT RECEIPT — A term used by the real estate industry to describe the written offer to purchase real property upon stated terms and conditions, accompanied by a deposit toward the purchase price, which becomes the contract for the sale of the property upon acceptance by the owner.
DEPRECIATION — Loss of value of property brought about by age, physical deterioration or functional or economic obsolescence. The term is also used in accounting to identify the amount of the decrease in value of an asset that is allowed in computing the value of the property for tax purposes.
DEPTH TABLE — A statistical table that may be used to estimate the value of the added depth of a lot.
DESIST AND REFRAIN ORDER — An order directing a person to stop from committing an act in violation of the Real Estate Law.
DETERMINABLE FEE — An estate which may end on the happening of an event that may or may not occur.
DEVISE — A gift or disposal of real property by last will and testament.
DEVISEE — One who receives a gift of real property by will.
DEVISOR — One who disposes of real property by will.
DIRECTIONAL GROWTH — The location or direction toward which the residential sections of a city are destined or determined to grow.
DISCOUNT — To sell a promissory note before maturity at a price less than the outstanding principal balance of the note at the time of sale. Also an amount deducted in advance by the lender from the nominal principal of a loan as part of the cost to the borrower of obtaining the loan.
DISCOUNT POINTS — The amount of money the borrower or seller must pay the lender to get a mortgage at a stated interest rate. This amount is equal to the difference between the principal balance on the note and the lesser amount which a purchaser of the note would pay the original lender for it under market conditions. A point equals one percent of the loan.
DISCRETIONARY POWERS OF AGENCY — Those powers conferred upon an agent by the principal which empower the agent in certain circumstances to make decisions based on the agent’s own judgment.
DISINTERMEDIATION — The relatively sudden withdrawal of substantial sums of money savers have deposited with savings and loan associations, commercial banks, and mutual savings banks. This term can also be considered to include life insurance policy purchasers borrowing against the value of their policies. The essence of this phenomenon is financial intermediaries losing within a short period of time billions of dollars as owners of funds held by those institutional lenders exercise their prerogative of taking them out of the hands of these financial institutions.
DISPOSABLE INCOME — The after-tax income a household receives to spend on personal consumption.
DISPOSSESS — To deprive one of the use of real estate.
DOCUMENTARY TRANSFER TAX — A state enabling act allows a county to adopt a documentary transfer tax to apply on all transfers of real property located in the county. Notice of payment is entered on face of the deed or on a separate paper filed with the deed.
DOCUMENTS — Legal instruments such as mortgages, contracts, deeds, options, wills, bills of sale, etc.
DONEE — A person who receives a gift.
DONOR — A person who makes a gift.
DOUBLE DECLINING BALANCE DEPRECIATION — (See DECLINING BALANCE DEPRECIATION.)
DRAW — Usually applies to construction loans when disbursement of a portion of the mortgage is made in advance, as improvements to the property are made.
DUAL AGENCY — An agency relationship in which the agent acts concurrently for both of the principals in a transaction.
DUE ON SALE CLAUSE — An acceleration clause granting the lender the right to demand full payment of the mortgage upon a sale of the property.
DURESS — Unlawful constraint exercised upon a person whereby he or she is forced to do some act against his or her will.
EARNEST MONEY — Down payment made by a purchaser of real estate as evidence of good faith. A deposit or partial payment.
EASEMENT — A right, privilege or interest limited to a specific purpose which one party has in the land of another.
ECONOMIC LIFE — The period over which a property will yield a return on the investment over and above the economic or ground rent due to land.
ECONOMIC OBSOLESCENCE — A loss in value due to factors away from the subject property but adversely affecting the value of the subject property.
ECONOMIC RENT — The reasonable rental expectancy if the property were available for renting at the time of its valuation.
EFFECTIVE AGE OF IMPROVEMENT — The number of years of age that is indicated by the condition of the structure, distinct from chronological age.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF VALUE — The specific day the conclusion of value applies.
EFFECTIVE INTEREST RATE — The percentage of interest that is actually being paid by the borrower for the use of the money, distinct from nominal interest.
EMBLEMENTS — The crops and other annual plantings considered to be personal property of the cultivator.
EMINENT DOMAIN — The right of the government to acquire property for necessary public or quasi-public use by condition; the owner must be fairly compensated and the right of the private citizen to get paid is spelled out in the 5th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
ENCROACHMENT — An unlawful intrusion onto another’s adjacent property by improvements to real property, e.g. a swimming pool built across a property line.
ENCUMBRANCE — Anything which affects or limits the fee simple title to or value of property, e.g., mortgages or easements.
EQUITY — The interest or value which an owner has in real estate over and above the liens against it. Branch of remedial justice by and through which relief is afforded to suitors in courts of equity.
EQUITY BUILD-UP — The increase of owner’s equity in property due to mortgage principal reduction and value appreciation.
EQUITY PARTICIPATION — A mortgage transaction in which the lender, in addition to receiving a fixed rate of interest on the loan acquires an interest in the borrower’s real property, and shares in the profits derived from the real property.
EQUITY OF REDEMPTION — The right to redeem property during the foreclosure period, such as a mortgagor’s right to redeem within either 3 months or 1 year as may be permitted after foreclosure sale.
EROSION — The wearing away of land by the act of water, wind or glacial ice.
ESCALATION — The right reserved by the lender to increase the amount of the payments and/or interest upon the happening of a certain event.
ESCALATOR CLAUSE — A clause in a contract providing for the upward or downward adjustment of certain items to cover specified contingencies, usually tied to some index or event. Often used in long term leases to provide for rent adjustments, to cover tax and maintenance increases.
ESCHEAT — The reverting of property to the State when heirs capable of inheriting are lacking.
ESCROW — The deposit of instruments and/or funds with instructions with a third neutral party to carry out the provisions of an agreement or contract.
ESCROW AGENT — The neutral third party holding funds or something of value in trust for another or others.
ESTATE — As applied to real estate, the term signifies the quantity of interest, share, right, equity, of which riches or fortune may consist in real property. The degree, quantity, nature and extent of interest which a person has in real property.
ESTATE OF INHERITANCE — An estate which may descend to heirs. All freehold estates are estates of inheritance, except estates for life.
ESTATE FOR LIFE — A possessory, freehold estate in land held by a person only for the duration of his or her life or the life or lives of another.
ESTATE FROM PERIOD TO PERIOD — An interest in land where there is no definite termination date but the rental period is fixed at a certain sum per week, month, or year. Also called a periodic tenancy.
ESTATE AT SUFFERANCE — An estate arising when the tenant wrongfully holds over after the expiration of the term. The landlord has the choice of evicting the tenant as a trespasser or accepting such tenant for a similar term and under the conditions of the tenant’s previous holding. Also called a tenancy at sufferance.
ESTATE AT WILL — The occupation of lands and tenements by a tenant for an indefinite period, terminable by one or both parties.
ESTATE FOR YEARS — An interest in lands by virtue of a contract for the possession of them for a definite and limited period of time. May be for a year or less. A lease may be said to be an estate for years.
ESTIMATE — A preliminary opinion of value. Appraise, set a value.
ESTIMATED REMAINING LIFE — The period of time (years) it takes for the improvements to become valueless.
ESTOPPEL — A legal theory under which a person is barred from asserting or denying a fact because of the person’s previous acts or words.
ETHICS — That branch of moral science, idealism, justness, and fairness, which treats of the duties which a member of a profession or craft owes to the public, client or partner, and to professional brethren or members. Accepted standards of right and wrong. Moral conduct, behavior or duty.
ET UX — Abbreviation for “et uxor.” Means “and wife.”
EVICTION — Dispossession by process of law. The act of depriving a person of the possession of lands in pursuance of the judgment of a court.
EXCEPTIONS — Matters affecting title to a particular parcel of real property which are included from coverage of a title insurance policy.
EXCHANGE — A means of trading equities in two or more real properties, treated as a single transaction through a single escrow.
EXCLUSION — General matters affecting title to real property excluded from coverage of a title insurance policy.
EXCLUSIVE AGENCY LISTING — A listing agreement employing a broker as the sole agent for the seller of real property under the terms of which the broker is entitled to a commission if the property is sold through any other broker, but not if a sale is negotiated by the owner without the services of an agent.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO SELL LISTING — A listing agreement employing a broker to act as agent for the seller of real property under the terms of which the broker is entitled to a commission if the property is sold during the duration of the listing through another broker or by the owner without the services of an agent.
EXECUTE — To complete, to make, to perform, to do, to follow out; to execute a deed, to make a deed, including especially signing, sealing and delivery; to execute a contract is to perform the contract, to follow out to the end, to complete.
EXECUTOR — A man named in a will to carry out its provisions as to the disposition of the estate of a deceased person. (A woman is an executrix.)
EXECUTORY CONTRACT — A contract in which something remains to be done by one or both of the parties.
EXPENSES — Certain items which appear on a closing statement in connection with a real estate sale.
FACADE — The front of a building, often used to refer to a false front and as a metaphor.
FAIR MARKET VALUE — This is the amount of money that would be paid for a property offered on the open market for a reasonable period of time with both buyer and seller knowing all the uses to which the property could be put and with neither party being under pressure to buy or sell.
FANNIE MAE — An acronymic nickname for Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA).
FARMERS HOME ADMINISTRATION — An agency of the Department of Agriculture. Primary
responsibility is to provide financial assistance for farmers and others living in rural areas where financing is not available on reasonable terms from private sources.
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION — (FDIC) Agency of the federal government which insures deposits at commercial banks, savings banks and savings and loans.
FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION — An independent stock company which creates a secondary market in conventional residential loans and in FHA and VA loans by purchasing mortgages.
FEDERAL HOUSING ADMINISTRATION — (FHA) An agency of the federal government that insures private mortgage loans for financing of new and existing homes and home repairs.
FEDERAL LAND BANK SYSTEM — Federal government agency making long term loans to farmers.
FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION — (FNMA) “Fannie Mae” a quasipublic agency converted into a private corporation whose primary function is to buy and sell FHA and VA mortgages in the secondary market.
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM — The federal banking system of the United States under the control of the central board of governors (Federal Reserve Board) involving a central bank in each of twelve geographical districts with broad powers in controlling credit and the amount of money in circulation.
FEE — An estate of inheritance in real property.
FEE SIMPLE — The maximum possible estate in land in which the owner holds unconditional power of disposition; an estate freely transferable and inheritable.
FEE SIMPLE DEFEASIBLE — An estate in fee subject to the occurrence of a condition subsequent whereby the estate may be terminated.
FEE SIMPLE ESTATE — The greatest interest that one can have in real property. An estate that is unqualified, of indefinite duration, freely transferable and inheritable.
FEUDAL TENURE — A real property ownership system in which ownership rests with a sovereign who may grant lesser interests in return for service or loyalty. This is in contrast to allodial tenure.
FHLMC — See FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION.
FIDELITY BOND — A security posted for the discharge of an obligation of personal services.
FIDUCIARY — A person in a position of trust and confidence, as between principal and broker; broker as fiduciary owes certain loyalty which cannot be breached under the rules of agency.
FIDUCIARY DUTY — That duty owed by an agent to act in the highest good faith toward the principal and not to obtain any advantage over the latter by the slightest misrepresentation, concealment, duress or pressure.
FILTERING — The process whereby higher-priced properties become available to lower income buyers.
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY — Financial institutions such as commercial banks, savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks and life insurance companies which receive relatively small sums of money from the public and invest them in the form of large sums. A considerable portion of these funds are loaned on real estate.
FINANCING PROCESS — The systematic 5 step procedure followed by major institutional lenders in analyzing a proposed loan, which includes — filing of application by a borrower; lender’s analysis of borrower and property; processing of loan documentation; closing (paying) the loan; and servicing (collection and record keeping).
FINANCING STATEMENT — The instrument which is filed in order to give public notice of the security interest and thereby protect the interest of the secured parties in the collateral. (See definition of Security Interest and Secured Party.)
FIRST MORTGAGE — A legal document pledging collateral for a loan (See “mortgage”) that has first priority over all other claims against the property except taxes and bonded indebtedness. That mortgage is superior to any other.
FIRST TRUST DEED — A legal document pledging collateral for a loan (See “trust deed”) that has first priority over all other claims against the property except taxes and bonded indebtedness. That trust deed is superior to any other.
FISCAL CONTROLS — Federal tax revenue and expenditure policies used to control the level of economic activity.
FISCAL YEAR — A business or accounting year as distinguished from a calendar year.
FIXITY OF LOCATION — The physical characteristic of real estate that subjects it to the influence of its surroundings.
FIXTURES — Appurtenances attached to the land or improvements, which usually cannot be removed without agreement as they become real property; examples — plumbing fixtures, store fixtures built into the property, etc.
FORECLOSURE — Procedure whereby property pledged as security for a debt is sold to pay the debt in event of default in payments or terms.
FORFEITURE — Loss of money or anything of value, due to failure to perform.
FRANCHISE — A specified privilege awarded by a government or business firm which awards an exclusive dealership.
FRAUD — The intentional and successful employment of any cunning, deception, collusion, or artifice, used to circumvent, cheat or deceive another person whereby that person acts upon it to the loss of property and to legal injury. (Actual Fraud — A deliberate misrepresentation or representation made in reckless disregard of its truth or its falsity, the suppression of truth, a promise made without the intention to perform it, or any other act intended to deceive.)
FRAUDS, STATUTE OF — (See Statute of Frauds.)
“FREDDIE MAC” — (See FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION.)
FREEHOLD ESTATE — An estate of indeterminable duration, e.g., fee simple or life estate.
FRONTAGE — A term used to describe or identify that part of a parcel of land or an improvement on the land which faces a street. The term is also used to refer to the lineal extent of the land or improvement that is parallel to and facing the street, e.g., a 75-foot frontage.
FRONT FOOT — Property measurement for sale or valuation purposes; the property measured by the front linear foot on its street line—each front foot extending the depth of the lot.
FRONT MONEY — The minimum amount of money necessary to initiate a real estate venture, to get the transaction underway.
FROSTLINE — The depth of frost penetration in the soil. Varies in different parts of the country. Footings should be placed below this depth to prevent movement.
FULLY INDEXED NOTE RATE — As related to adjustable rate mortgages, the index value at the time of application plus the gross margin stated in the note.
FUNCTIONAL OBSOLESCENCE — A loss of value due to adverse factors from within the structure which affect the utility of the structure, value and marketability.
FUTURE BENEFITS — The anticipated benefits the present owner will receive from the property in the future.
GABLE ROOF — A pitched roof with sloping sides.
GAIN — A profit, benefit, or value increase.
GAMBREL ROOF — A curb roof, having a steep lower slope with a flatter upper slope above.
GENERAL LIEN — A lien on all the property of a debtor.
GIFT DEED — A deed for which there is no consideration.
GOODWILL — An intangible but salable asset of a business derived from the expectation of continued public patronage.
GOVERNMENT NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION — An agency of HUD, which functions in the secondary mortgage market, primarily in social housing programs. Commonly called by the acronymic nickname “Ginnie Mae” (GNMA).
GOVERNMENT SURVEY — A method of specifying the location of parcel of land using prime meridians, base lines, standard parallels, guide meridians, townships and sections.
GRADE — Ground level at the foundation.
GRADUATED LEASE — Lease which provides for a varying rental rate, often based upon future
determination; sometimes rent is based upon the result of periodical appraisals; used largely in long-term leases.
GRADUATED PAYMENT MORTGAGE — Providing for partially deferred payments of principal at start of loan. (There are a variety of plans.) Usually after the first five years of the loan term the principal and interest payment are substantially higher, to make up the principal portion of payments lost at the beginning of the loan. (See Variable Interest Rate.)
GRANT — A technical legal term in a deed of conveyance bestowing an interest in real property on another. The words “convey” and “transfer” have the same effect.
GRANT DEED — A limited warranty deed using the word “grant” or like words that assures a grantee that the grantor has not already conveyed the land to another and that the estate is free from encumbrances placed by the grantor.
GRANTEE — A person to whom a grant is made.
GRANTOR — A person who transfers his or her interest in property to another by grant.
GRATUITOUS AGENT — A person not paid by the principal for services on behalf of the principal, who cannot be forced to act as an agent, but who becomes bound to act in good faith and obey a principal’s instructions once he or she undertakes to act as an agent.
GRID — A chart used in rating the borrower risk, property and the neighborhood.
GROSS INCOME — Total income from property before any expenses are deducted.
GROSS MARGIN — With regard to an adjustable rate mortgage, an amount expressed as percentage points, stated in the note which is added to the current index value on the rate adjustment date to establish the new note rate.
GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT (GNP) — The total value of all goods and services produced in an economy during a given period of time.
GROSS RATE — A method of collecting interest by adding total interest to the principal of the loan at the outset of the term.
GROSS RENT MULTIPLIER — A number which, times the gross income of a property, produces an estimate of value of the property. Example — The gross income from an unfurnished apartment building is $200,000 per annum. If an appraiser uses a gross multiplier of 7%, then it is said that based on the gross multiplier the value of the building is $1,400,000.
GROUND LEASE — An agreement for the use of the land only, sometimes secured by improvements placed on the land by the user.
GROUND RENT — Earnings of improved property credited to earnings of the ground itself after allowance is made for earnings of improvements; often termed economic rent.
HABENDUM CLAUSE — The “to have and to hold” clause which may be found in a deed.
HEIR — One who inherits property at the death of the owner of the land, if the owner has died without a will.
HIGHEST AND BEST USE — An appraisal phrase meaning that use which at the time of an appraisal is most likely to produce the greatest net return to the land and/or buildings over a given period of time; that use which will produce the greatest amount of amenities or profit. This is the starting point for appraisal.
HIP ROOF — A pitched roof with sloping sides and ends.
HOLDER IN DUE COURSE — One who has taken a note, check or bill of exchange in due course:
1. before it was overdue;
2. in good faith and for value; and
3. without knowledge that it has been previously dishonored and without notice of any defect at the time it was negotiated to him or her.
HOLDOVER TENANT — Tenant who remains in possession of leased property after the expiration of the lease term.
HOMESTEAD — (exemption) — A statutory protection of real property used as a home from the claims of certain creditors and judgments up to a specified amount.
HOUSING FINANCIAL DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 1977 (Holden Act) — California Health and Safety Code Section 35800, et seq., designed primarily to eliminate discrimination in lending practices based upon the character of the neighborhood in which real property is located. (See Redlining.)
HUD — The Department of Housing and Urban Development which is responsible for the implementation and administration of U.S. government housing and urban development programs.
HUNDRED PERCENT LOCATION — A city retail business location which is considered the best available for attracting business.
HYPOTHECATE — To pledge a thing as security without the necessity of giving up possession of it.
IMPERATIVE NECESSITY — Circumstances under which an agent has expanded authority in an emergency, including the power to disobey instructions where it is clearly in the interests of the principal and where there is no time to obtain instructions from the principal.
IMPOUNDS — A trust type account established by lenders for the accumulation of borrowers funds to meet periodic payment of taxes, FHA mortgage insurance premiums, and/or future insurance policy premiums, required to protect their security. Impounds are usually collected with the note payment. The combined principal, interest, taxes and insurance payment is commonly termed a PITI payment.
INCOME (CAPITALIZATION) APPROACH — One of the three methods of the appraisal process generally applied to income producing property, and involves a three-step process— (1) find net annual income, (2) set an appropriate capitalization rate or “present worth” factor, and (3) capitalize the income dividing the net income by the capitalization rate.
INCOMPETENT — One who is mentally incompetent, incapable; any person who, though not insane, is, by reason of old age, disease, weakness of mind, or any other cause, unable, unassisted, to properly manage and take care of self or property and by reason thereof would be likely to be deceived or imposed upon by artful or designing persons.
INCORPOREAL RIGHTS — Nonpossessory rights in real estate, rising out of ownership, such as rents.
INCREMENT — An increase. Most frequently used to refer to the increase of value of land that accompanies population growth and increasing wealth in the community. The term “unearned increment” is used in this connection since values are supposed to have increased without effort on the part of the owner.
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT — An agreement by the maker of the document to repay the addressee of the agreement up to the limit stated for any loss due to the contingency stated on the agreement.
INDENTURE — A formal written instrument made between two or more persons in different interests, such as a lease.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR — A person who acts for another but who sells final results and whose methods of achieving those results are not subject to the control of another.
INDORSEMENT — The act of signing one’s name on the back of a check or note, with or without further qualification.
INITIAL NOTE RATE — With regard to an adjustable rate mortgage, the note rate upon origination. This rate may differ from the fully indexed note rate.
INITIAL RATE DISCOUNT — As applied to an adjustable rate mortgage, the index value at the time of loan application plus the margin less the initial note rate.
INJUNCTION — A writ or order issued under the seal of a court to restrain one or more parties to a suit or proceeding from doing an act which is deemed to be inequitable or unjust in regard to the rights of some other party or parties in the suit or proceeding.
INSTALLMENT NOTE — A note which provides for a series of periodic payments of principal and interest, until the amount borrowed is paid in full. This periodic reduction of principal amortizes the loan.
INSTALLMENT REPORTING — A method of reporting capital gains by installments for successive tax years to minimize the impact of the totality of the capital gains tax in the year of the sale.
INSTALLMENT SALES CONTRACT — Commonly called contract of sale or “land contract.” Purchase of real estate wherein the purchase price is paid in installments over a long period of time, title is retained by seller, and upon default by buyer (vendee) the payments may be forfeited.
INSTITUTIONAL LENDERS — A financial intermediary or depository, such as a savings and loan association, commercial bank, or life insurance company, which pools money of its depositors and then invests funds in various ways, including trust deed and mortgage loans.
INSTRUMENT — A written legal document; created to affect the rights of the parties, giving formal expression to a legal act or agreement for the purpose of creating, modifying or terminating a right. Real estate lenders’ basic instruments are — promissory notes, deeds of trust, mortgages, installment sales contracts, leases, assignments.
INTEREST — A portion, share or right in something. Partial, not complete ownership. The charge in dollars for the use of money for a period of time. In a sense, the “rent” paid for the use of money.
INTEREST EXTRA LOAN — A loan in which a fixed amount of principal is repaid in installments along with interest accrued each period on the amount of the then outstanding principal only.
INTEREST ONLY LOAN — A straight, non-amortizing loan in which the lender receives only interest during the term of the loan and principal is repaid in a lump sum at maturity.
INTEREST RATE — The percentage of a sum of money charged for its use. Rent or charge paid for use of money, expressed as a percentage per month or year of the sum borrowed.
INTERIM LOAN — A short-term, temporary loan used until permanent financing is available, e.g., a construction loan.
INTERMEDIATION — The process of pooling and supplying funds for investment by financial institutions called intermediaries. The process is dependent on individual savers placing their funds with these institutions and foregoing opportunities to directly invest in the investments selected.
INTERPLEADER — A court proceeding initiated by the stakeholder of property who claims no proprietary interest in it for the purpose of deciding who among claimants is legally entitled to the property.
INTERVAL OWNERSHIP — A form of timeshare ownership. (See Timeshare Ownership.)
INTESTATE — A person who dies having made no will, or one which is defective in form, is said to have died intestate, in which case the estate descends to the heirs at law or next of kin.
INVOLUNTARY LIEN — A lien imposed against property without consent of an owner; example — taxes, special assessments, federal income tax liens, etc.
IRREVOCABLE — Incapable of being recalled or revoked, unchangeable.
IRRIGATION DISTRICTS — Quasi-political districts created under special laws to provide for water services to property owners in the district; an operation governed to a great extent by law.
JOINT NOTE — A note signed by two or more persons who have equal liability for payment.
JOINT TENANCY — Undivided ownership of a property interest by two or more persons each of whom has a right to an equal share in the interest and a right of survivorship, i.e., the right to share equally with other surviving joint tenants in the interest of a deceased joint tenant.
JOINT VENTURE — Two or more individuals or firms joining together on a single project as partners.
JUDGMENT — The final determination of a court of competent jurisdiction of a matter presented to it; money judgments provide for the payment of claims presented to the court, or are awarded as damages, etc.
JUDGMENT LIEN — A legal claim on all of the property of a judgment debtor which enables the judgment creditor to have the property sold for payment of the amount of the judgment.
JUNIOR MORTGAGE — A mortgage recorded subsequently to another mortgage on the same property or made subordinate by agreement to a later-recorded mortgage.
JURISDICTION — The authority by which judicial officers take cognizance of and decide causes; the power to hear and determine a cause; the right and power which a judicial officer has to enter upon the inquiry.
LACHES — Delay or negligence in asserting one’s legal rights.
LAND — The material of the earth, whatever may be the ingredients of which it is composed, whether soil, rock, or other substance, and includes free or unoccupied space for an indefinite distance upwards as well as downwards.
LAND CONTRACT — A contract used in a sale of real property whereby the seller retains title to the property until all or a prescribed part of the purchase price has been paid. Also commonly called a conditional sales contract, installment sales contract or real property sales contract. (See REAL PROPERTY SALES CONTRACT for statutory definition.)
LAND AND IMPROVEMENT LOAN — A loan obtained by the builder-developer for the purchase of land and to cover expenses for subdividing.
LANDLORD — One who rents his or her property to another. The lessor under a lease.
LATE CHARGE — A charge assessed by a lender against a borrower failing to make loan installment payments when due.
LATER DATE ORDER — The commitment for an owner’s title insurance policy issued by a title insurance company which covers the seller’s title as of the date of the contract. When the sale closes the purchaser orders the title company to record the deed to purchaser and bring down their examination to cover this later date so as to show purchaser as owner of the property.
LATERAL SUPPORT — The support which the soil of an adjoining owner gives to a neighbor’s land.
LEASE — A contract between owner and tenant, setting forth conditions upon which tenant may occupy and use the property and the term of the occupancy. Sometimes used as an alternative to purchasing property outright, as a method of financing the right to occupy and use real property.
LEASEHOLD ESTATE — A tenant’s right to occupy real estate during the term of the lease. This is a personal property interest.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION — A land description recognized by law; a description by which property can be definitely located by reference to government surveys or approved recorded maps.
LESSEE — One who contracts to rent, occupy, and use property under a lease agreement; a tenant.
LESSOR — An owner who enters into a lease agreement with a tenant; a landlord.
LEVEL-PAYMENT MORTGAGE — A loan on real estate that is paid off by making a series of equal (or nearly equal) regular payments. Part of the payment is usually interest on the loan and part of it reduces the amount of the unpaid principal balance of the loan. Also sometimes called an “amortized mortgage” or “installment mortgage.”
LEVERAGE — The use of debt financing of an investment to maximize the return per dollar of equity invested.
LEVY — To impose a tax.
LIEN — A form of encumbrance which usually makes specific property security for the payment of a debt or discharge of an obligation. Example — judgments, taxes, mortgages, deeds of trust, etc.
LIFE ESTATE — An estate or interest in real property, which is held for the duration of the life of some certain person. It may be limited by the life of the person holding it or by the life of some other person.
LIFE OF LOAN CAP (CAP RATE) — With regard to an adjustable rate mortgage, a ceiling the note rate cannot exceed over the life of the loan.
LIMITATIONS, STATUTE OF — The commonly used identifying term for various statutes which require that a legal action be commenced within a prescribed time after the accrual of the right to seek legal relief.
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP — A partnership consisting of a general partner or partners and limited partners in which the general partners manage and control the business affairs of the partnership while limited partners are essentially investors taking no part in the management of the partnership and having no liability for the debts of the partnership in excess of their invested capital.
LINTEL — A horizontal board that supports the load over an opening such as a door or window.
LIQUIDATED DAMAGES — A sum agreed upon by the parties to be full damages if a certain event occurs.
LIQUIDATED DAMAGES CLAUSE — A clause in a contract by which the parties by agreement fix the damages in advance for a breach of the contract.
LIQUIDITY — Holdings in or the ability to convert assets to cash or its equivalent. The ease with which a person is able to pay maturing obligations.
LIS PENDENS — A notice filed or recorded for the purpose of warning all persons that the title or right to the possession of certain real property is in litigation; literally “suit pending;” usually recorded so as to give constructive notice of pending litigation.
LISTING — An employment contract between principal and agent authorizing the agent to perform services for the principal involving the latter’s property; listing contracts are entered into for the purpose of securing persons to buy, lease, or rent property. Employment of an agent by a prospective purchaser or lessee to locate property for purchase or lease may be considered a listing.
LIVERY OF SEISIN (SEIZIN) — The appropriate ceremony at common law for transferring the possession of lands by a grantor to a grantee.
LOAN ADMINISTRATION — Also called loan servicing Mortgage bankers not only originate loans, but also “service” them from origination to maturity of the loan through handling of loan payments, delinquencies, impounds, payoffs and releases.
LOAN APPLICATION — The loan application is a source of information on which the lender bases a decision to make the loan; defines the terms of the loan contract, gives the name of the borrower, place of employment, salary, bank accounts, and credit references, and describes the real estate that is to be mortgaged. It also stipulates the amount of loan being applied for and repayment terms.
LOAN CLOSING — When all conditions have been met, the loan officer authorizes the recording of the trust deed or mortgage. The disbursal procedure of funds is similar to the closing of a real estate sales escrow. The borrower can expect to receive less than the amount of the loan, as title, recording, service, and other fees may be withheld, or can expect to deposit the cost of these items into the loan escrow. This process is sometimes called “funding” the loan.
LOAN COMMITMENT — Lender’s contractual commitment to make a loan based on the appraisal and underwriting.
LOAN-TO-VALUE RATI0 — The percentage of a property’s value that a lender can or may loan to a borrower. For example, if the ratio is 80% this means that a lender may loan 80% of the property’s appraised value to a borrower.
MAI — Member of the Appraisal Institute. Designates a person who is a member of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers.
MARGIN OF SECURITY — The difference between the amount of the mortgage loan (s) and the appraised value of the property.
MARGINAL LAND — Land which barely pays the cost of working or using.
MARKET DATA APPROACH — One of the three methods in the appraisal process. A means of comparing similar type properties, which have recently sold, to the subject property. Commonly used in comparing residential properties.
MARKET PRICE — The price paid regardless of pressures, motives or intelligence.
MARKET VALUE — The highest price in terms of money which a property will bring in a competitive and open market and under all conditions required for a fair sale, i.e., the buyer and seller acting prudently, knowledgeably and neither affected by undue pressures.
MARKETABLE TITLE — Title which a reasonable purchaser, informed as to the facts and their legal importance and acting with reasonable care, would be willing and ought to accept.
MATERIAL FACT — A fact is material if it is one which the agent should realize would be likely to affect the judgment of the principal in giving his or her consent to the agent to enter into the particular transaction on the specified terms.
MATURITY DATE — The date by which a loan is to be paid in full.
MECHANIC’S LIEN — A lien created by statute which exists against real property in favor of persons who have performed work or furnished materials for the improvement of the real property.
MEDIATION CLAUSE — A clause in a contract requiring mediation in the event of a dispute.
MERIDIANS — Imaginary north-south lines which intersect base lines to form a starting point for the measurement of land.
MESNE PROFITS — Profit from land use accruing between two periods as for example moneys owed to the owner of land by a person who has illegally occupied the land after the owner takes title, but before taking possession.
METES AND BOUNDS — A term used in describing the boundary lines of land, setting forth all the boundary lines together with their terminal points and angles. Metes (length or measurements) and Bounds (boundaries) description is often used when a great deal of accuracy is required.
MILE — 5,280 feet.
MINOR — A person under 18 years of age.
MISPLACED IMPROVEMENTS — Improvements on land which do not conform to the most profitable use of the site.
MISREPRESENTATION — A false or misleading statement or assertion.
MOBILE HOME — As defined in Business and Professions Code Section 10131.6(c), “mobilehome” means a structure transportable in one or more sections, designed and equipped to contain not more than two dwelling units to be used with or without a foundation system. “Mobilehome” does not include a recreational vehicle, as defined in Section 18010.5 of the Health and Safety Code, a commercial coach, as defined in Section 18012 of the Health and Safety Code, or factory-built housing, as defined in Section 19971 of the Health and Safety Code.
MODULAR — A system for the construction of dwellings and other improvements to real property through the on-site assembly of component parts (modules) that have been mass produced away from the building site.
MOLDINGS — Usually patterned strips used to provide ornamental variation of outline or contour, such as cornices, bases, window and door jambs.
MONETARY CONTROLS — Federal Reserve tools for regulating the availability of money and credit to influence the level of economic activity, such as adjusting discount rates, reserve requirements, etc.
MONUMENT — A fixed object and point established by surveyors to establish land locations.
MORATORIUM — The temporary suspension, usually by statute, of the enforcement of liability of debt. Temporary suspension of development or utilities connections imposed by local government.
MORTGAGE — An instrument recognized by law by which property is hypothecated to secure the payment of a debt or obligation; a procedure for foreclosure in event of default is established by statute.
MORTGAGE BANKER — A person whose principal business is the originating, financing, closing, selling and servicing of loans secured by real property for institutional lenders on a contractual basis.
MORTGAGE CONTRACTS WITH WARRANTS — Warrants make the mortgage more attractive to the lender by providing both the greater security that goes with a mortgage, and the opportunity of a greater return through the right to buy either stock in the borrower’s company or a portion of the income property itself.
MORTGAGE GUARANTY INSURANCE — Insurance against financial loss available to mortgage lenders from private mortgage insurance companies (PMICs).
MORTGAGE INVESTMENT COMPANY — A company or group of private investors that buys mortgages for investment purposes.
MORTGAGE LOAN DISCLOSURE STATEMENT — The statement on a form approved by the Real Estate Commissioner which is required by law to be furnished by a mortgage loan broker to the prospective borrower of loans of a statutorily-prescribed amount before the borrower becomes obligated to complete the loan.
MORTGAGEE — One to whom a mortgagor gives a mortgage to secure a loan or performance of an obligation; a lender or creditor. (See definition of secured party.)
MORTGAGOR — One who gives a mortgage on his or her property to secure a loan or assure performance of an obligation; a borrower.
JURISDICTION — The authority by which judicial officers take cognizance of and decide causes; the power to hear and determine a cause; the right and power which a judicial officer has to enter upon the inquiry.
LACHES — Delay or negligence in asserting one’s legal rights.
LAND — The material of the earth, whatever may be the ingredients of which it is composed, whether soil, rock, or other substance, and includes free or unoccupied space for an indefinite distance upwards as well as downwards.
LAND CONTRACT — A contract used in a sale of real property whereby the seller retains title to the property until all or a prescribed part of the purchase price has been paid. Also commonly called a conditional sales contract, installment sales contract or real property sales contract. (See REAL PROPERTY SALES CONTRACT for statutory definition.)
LAND AND IMPROVEMENT LOAN — A loan obtained by the builder-developer for the purchase of land and to cover expenses for subdividing.
LANDLORD — One who rents his or her property to another. The lessor under a lease.
LATE CHARGE — A charge assessed by a lender against a borrower failing to make loan installment payments when due.
LATER DATE ORDER — The commitment for an owner’s title insurance policy issued by a title insurance company which covers the seller’s title as of the date of the contract. When the sale closes the purchaser orders the title company to record the deed to purchaser and bring down their examination to cover this later date so as to show purchaser as owner of the property.
LATERAL SUPPORT — The support which the soil of an adjoining owner gives to a neighbor’s land.
LEASE — A contract between owner and tenant, setting forth conditions upon which tenant may occupy and use the property and the term of the occupancy. Sometimes used as an alternative to purchasing property outright, as a method of financing the right to occupy and use real property.
LEASEHOLD ESTATE — A tenant’s right to occupy real estate during the term of the lease. This is a personal property interest.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION — A land description recognized by law; a description by which property can be definitely located by reference to government surveys or approved recorded maps.
LESSEE — One who contracts to rent, occupy, and use property under a lease agreement; a tenant.
LESSOR — An owner who enters into a lease agreement with a tenant; a landlord.
LEVEL-PAYMENT MORTGAGE — A loan on real estate that is paid off by making a series of equal (or nearly equal) regular payments. Part of the payment is usually interest on the loan and part of it reduces the amount of the unpaid principal balance of the loan. Also sometimes called an “amortized mortgage” or “installment mortgage.”
LEVERAGE — The use of debt financing of an investment to maximize the return per dollar of equity invested.
LEVY — To impose a tax.
LIEN — A form of encumbrance which usually makes specific property security for the payment of a debt or discharge of an obligation. Example — judgments, taxes, mortgages, deeds of trust, etc.
LIFE ESTATE — An estate or interest in real property, which is held for the duration of the life of some certain person. It may be limited by the life of the person holding it or by the life of some other person.
LIFE OF LOAN CAP (CAP RATE) — With regard to an adjustable rate mortgage, a ceiling the note rate cannot exceed over the life of the loan.
LIMITATIONS, STATUTE OF — The commonly used identifying term for various statutes which require that a legal action be commenced within a prescribed time after the accrual of the right to seek legal relief.
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP — A partnership consisting of a general partner or partners and limited partners in which the general partners manage and control the business affairs of the partnership while limited partners are essentially investors taking no part in the management of the partnership and having no liability for the debts of the partnership in excess of their invested capital.
LINTEL — A horizontal board that supports the load over an opening such as a door or window.
LIQUIDATED DAMAGES — A sum agreed upon by the parties to be full damages if a certain event occurs.
LIQUIDATED DAMAGES CLAUSE — A clause in a contract by which the parties by agreement fix the damages in advance for a breach of the contract.
LIQUIDITY — Holdings in or the ability to convert assets to cash or its equivalent. The ease with which a person is able to pay maturing obligations.
LIS PENDENS — A notice filed or recorded for the purpose of warning all persons that the title or right to the possession of certain real property is in litigation; literally “suit pending;” usually recorded so as to give constructive notice of pending litigation.
LISTING — An employment contract between principal and agent authorizing the agent to perform services for the principal involving the latter’s property; listing contracts are entered into for the purpose of securing persons to buy, lease, or rent property. Employment of an agent by a prospective purchaser or lessee to locate property for purchase or lease may be considered a listing.
LIVERY OF SEISIN (SEIZIN) — The appropriate ceremony at common law for transferring the possession of lands by a grantor to a grantee.
LOAN ADMINISTRATION — Also called loan servicing Mortgage bankers not only originate loans, but also “service” them from origination to maturity of the loan through handling of loan payments, delinquencies, impounds, payoffs and releases.
LOAN APPLICATION — The loan application is a source of information on which the lender bases a decision to make the loan; defines the terms of the loan contract, gives the name of the borrower, place of employment, salary, bank accounts, and credit references, and describes the real estate that is to be mortgaged. It also stipulates the amount of loan being applied for and repayment terms.
LOAN CLOSING — When all conditions have been met, the loan officer authorizes the recording of the trust deed or mortgage. The disbursal procedure of funds is similar to the closing of a real estate sales escrow. The borrower can expect to receive less than the amount of the loan, as title, recording, service, and other fees may be withheld, or can expect to deposit the cost of these items into the loan escrow. This process is sometimes called “funding” the loan.
LOAN COMMITMENT — Lender’s contractual commitment to make a loan based on the appraisal and underwriting.
LOAN-TO-VALUE RATI0 — The percentage of a property’s value that a lender can or may loan to a borrower. For example, if the ratio is 80% this means that a lender may loan 80% of the property’s appraised value to a borrower.
MAI — Member of the Appraisal Institute. Designates a person who is a member of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers.
MARGIN OF SECURITY — The difference between the amount of the mortgage loan (s) and the appraised value of the property.
MARGINAL LAND — Land which barely pays the cost of working or using.
MARKET DATA APPROACH — One of the three methods in the appraisal process. A means of comparing similar type properties, which have recently sold, to the subject property. Commonly used in comparing residential properties.
MARKET PRICE — The price paid regardless of pressures, motives or intelligence.
MARKET VALUE — The highest price in terms of money which a property will bring in a competitive and open market and under all conditions required for a fair sale, i.e., the buyer and seller acting prudently, knowledgeably and neither affected by undue pressures.
MARKETABLE TITLE — Title which a reasonable purchaser, informed as to the facts and their legal importance and acting with reasonable care, would be willing and ought to accept.
MATERIAL FACT — A fact is material if it is one which the agent should realize would be likely to affect the judgment of the principal in giving his or her consent to the agent to enter into the particular transaction on the specified terms.
MATURITY DATE — The date by which a loan is to be paid in full.
MECHANIC’S LIEN — A lien created by statute which exists against real property in favor of persons who have performed work or furnished materials for the improvement of the real property.
MEDIATION CLAUSE — A clause in a contract requiring mediation in the event of a dispute.
MERIDIANS — Imaginary north-south lines which intersect base lines to form a starting point for the measurement of land.
MESNE PROFITS — Profit from land use accruing between two periods as for example moneys owed to the owner of land by a person who has illegally occupied the land after the owner takes title, but before taking possession.
METES AND BOUNDS — A term used in describing the boundary lines of land, setting forth all the boundary lines together with their terminal points and angles. Metes (length or measurements) and Bounds (boundaries) description is often used when a great deal of accuracy is required.
MILE — 5,280 feet.
MINOR — A person under 18 years of age.
MISPLACED IMPROVEMENTS — Improvements on land which do not conform to the most profitable use of the site.
MISREPRESENTATION — A false or misleading statement or assertion.
MOBILE HOME — As defined in Business and Professions Code Section 10131.6(c), “mobilehome” means a structure transportable in one or more sections, designed and equipped to contain not more than two dwelling units to be used with or without a foundation system. “Mobilehome” does not include a recreational vehicle, as defined in Section 18010.5 of the Health and Safety Code, a commercial coach, as defined in Section 18012 of the Health and Safety Code, or factory-built housing, as defined in Section 19971 of the Health and Safety Code.
MODULAR — A system for the construction of dwellings and other improvements to real property through the on-site assembly of component parts (modules) that have been mass produced away from the building site.
MOLDINGS — Usually patterned strips used to provide ornamental variation of outline or contour, such as cornices, bases, window and door jambs.
MONETARY CONTROLS — Federal Reserve tools for regulating the availability of money and credit to influence the level of economic activity, such as adjusting discount rates, reserve requirements, etc.
MONUMENT — A fixed object and point established by surveyors to establish land locations.
MORATORIUM — The temporary suspension, usually by statute, of the enforcement of liability of debt. Temporary suspension of development or utilities connections imposed by local government.
MORTGAGE — An instrument recognized by law by which property is hypothecated to secure the payment of a debt or obligation; a procedure for foreclosure in event of default is established by statute.
MORTGAGE BANKER — A person whose principal business is the originating, financing, closing, selling and servicing of loans secured by real property for institutional lenders on a contractual basis.
MORTGAGE CONTRACTS WITH WARRANTS — Warrants make the mortgage more attractive to the lender by providing both the greater security that goes with a mortgage, and the opportunity of a greater return through the right to buy either stock in the borrower’s company or a portion of the income property itself.
MORTGAGE GUARANTY INSURANCE — Insurance against financial loss available to mortgage lenders from private mortgage insurance companies (PMICs).
MORTGAGE INVESTMENT COMPANY — A company or group of private investors that buys mortgages for investment purposes.
MORTGAGE LOAN DISCLOSURE STATEMENT — The statement on a form approved by the Real Estate Commissioner which is required by law to be furnished by a mortgage loan broker to the prospective borrower of loans of a statutorily-prescribed amount before the borrower becomes obligated to complete the loan.
MORTGAGEE — One to whom a mortgagor gives a mortgage to secure a loan or performance of an obligation; a lender or creditor. (See definition of secured party.)
MORTGAGOR — One who gives a mortgage on his or her property to secure a loan or assure performance of an obligation; a borrower.
MULTIPLE LISTING — A listing, usually an exclusive right to sell, taken by a member of an organization composed of real estate brokers, with the provisions that all members will have the opportunity to find an interested buyer; a cooperative listing insuring owner property will receive a wider market exposure.
MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE — An association of real estate agents providing for a pooling of listings and the sharing of commissions on a specified basis.
MUTUAL SAVINGS BANKS — Financial institutions owned by depositors each of whom has rights to net earnings of the bank in proportion to his or her deposits.
MUTUAL WATER COMPANY — A water company organized by or for water users in a given district with the object of securing an ample water supply at a reasonable rate; stock is issued to users.
NARRATIVE APPRAISAL — A summary of all factual materials, techniques and appraisal methods used by the appraiser in setting forth his or her value conclusion.
NEGATIVE AMORTIZATION — Occurs when monthly installment payments are insufficient to pay the interest accruing on the principal balance, so that the unpaid interest must be added to the principal due.
NEGOTIABLE — Capable of being negotiated, assignable or transferable in the ordinary course of business.
NET INCOME — The money remaining after expenses are deducted from income; the profit.
NET LEASE — A lease requiring a lessee to pay charges against the property such as taxes, insurance and maintenance costs in addition to rental payments.
NET LISTING — A listing which provides that the agent may retain as compensation for agent’s services all sums received over and above a net price to the owner.
NOMINAL INTEREST RATES — The percentage of interest that is stated in loan documents.
NONCONFORMING USE — A property use that doesn’t conform to current zoning requirements, but is allowed because the property was being used in that way before the present zoning ordinance was enacted.
NOTARY PUBLIC — An appointed officer with authority to take the acknowledgment of persons executing documents, sign the certificate, and affix official seal.
NOTE — A signed written instrument acknowledging a debt and promising payment, according to the specified terms and conditions. A promissory note.
NOTE RATE — This rate determines the amount of interest charged on an annual basis to the borrower. Also called the “accrual rate”, “contract rate” or “coupon rate.”
NOTICE — (l) Actual Notice – Express or implied knowledge of a fact. (2) Constructive notice – A fact, imputed to a person by law, which should have been discovered because of the person’s actual notice of circumstances and the inquiry that a prudent person would have been expected to make. (3) Legal Notice— Information required to be given by law.
NOTICE OF NONRESPONSIBILITY — A notice provided by law designed to relieve property owner from responsibility for the cost of unauthorized work done on the property or materials furnished therefor; notice must be verified, recorded and posted.
NOTICE TO QUIT — A notice to a tenant to vacate rented property.
NOVATION — The substitution or exchange of a new obligation or contract for an old one by the mutual agreement of the parties.
NULL AND VOID — Of no legal validity or effect.
OBSOLESCENCE — Loss in value due to reduced desirability and usefulness of a structure because its design and construction become obsolete; loss because of becoming old-fashioned and not in keeping with modern needs, with consequent loss of income. May be functional or economic.
OFFER TO PURCHASE — The proposal made to an owner of property by a potential buyer to purchase the property under stated terms.
OFFSET STATEMENT — Statement by owner of property or owner of lien against property setting forth the present status of liens against said property.
OPEN-END MORTGAGE — A mortgage containing a clause which permits the mortgagor to borrow additional money after the loan has been reduced without rewriting the mortgage.
OPEN HOUSING LAW — Congress passed a law in April 1968 which prohibits discrimination in the sale of real estate because of race, color, or religion of buyers.
OPEN LISTING — An authorization given by a property owner to a real estate agent wherein said agent is given the nonexclusive right to secure a purchaser; open listings may be given to any number of agents without liability to compensate any except the one who first secures a buyer ready, willing and able to meet the terms of the listing, or secures the acceptance by the seller of a satisfactory offer.
OPINION OF TITLE — An attorney’s written evaluation of the condition of the title to a parcel of land after examination of the abstract of title.
OPTION — A right given for a consideration to purchase or lease a property upon specified terms within a specified time, without obligating the party who receives the right to exercise the right.
ORAL CONTRACT — A verbal agreement; one which is not reduced to writing.
ORIENTATION — Placing a structure on its lot with regard to its exposure to the rays of the sun, prevailing winds, privacy from the street and protection from outside noises.
OSTENSIBLE AUTHORITY — That authority which a third person reasonably believes an agent possesses because of the acts or omissions of the principal.
OVER IMPROVEMENT — An improvement which is not the highest and best use for the site on which it is placed by reason of excess size or cost.
OWNERSHIP — The right of one or more persons to possess and use property to the exclusion of all others. A collection of rights to the use and enjoyment of property.
PACKAGE MORTGAGE — A type of mortgage used in home financing covering real property,
improvements, and movable equipment/appliances.
PARAMOUNT TITLE — Title which is superior or foremost to all others.
PARTICIPATION — Sharing of an interest in a property by a lender. In addition to base interest on mortgage loans on income properties, a percentage of gross income is required, sometimes predicated on certain conditions being fulfilled, such as a minimum occupancy or percentage of net income after expenses, debt service and taxes. Also called equity participation or revenue sharing.
PARTIES (PARTY) — Those entities taking part in a transaction as a principal, e.g., seller, buyer, or lender in a real estate transaction.
PARTITION — A division of real or personal property or the proceeds therefrom among co-owners.
PARTITION ACTION — Court proceedings by which co-owners seek to sever their joint ownership.
PARTNERSHIP — A decision of the California Supreme Court has defined a partnership in the following terms — “A partnership as between partners themselves may be defined to be a contract of two or more persons to unite their property, labor or skill, or some of them, in prosecution of some joint or lawful business, and to share the profits in certain proportions.” A voluntary association of two or more persons to carry on a business or venture in terms of mutual participation in profits and losses.
PARTY WALL — A wall erected on the line between two adjoining properties, which are under different ownership, for the use of both properties.
PAR VALUE — Market value, nominal value.
PATENT — Conveyance of title to government land.
PAYMENT ADJUSTMENT DATE — With regard to an adjustable rate mortgage, the date the borrower’s monthly principal and interest payment may change.
PAYMENT CAP — With regard to an adjustable rate mortgage, this limits the amount of increase in the borrower’s monthly principal and interest at the payment adjustment date, if the principal and interest increase called for by the interest rate increase exceeds the payment cap percentage. This limitation is often at the borrower’s option and may result in negative amortization.
PAYMENT RATE — With respect to an adjustable rate mortgage, the rate at which the borrower repays the loan—reflects buydowns or payment caps.
PENALTY — An extra payment or charge required of the borrower for deviating from the terms of the original loan agreement. Usually levied for being late in making regular payment or for paying off the loan before it is due, known as “late charges” and “prepayment penalties.”
PERCENTAGE LEASE — Lease on the property, the rental for which is determined by amount of business done by the lessee; usually a percentage of gross receipts from the business with provision for a minimum rental.
PERIMETER HEATING — Baseboard heating, or any system in which the heat registers are located along the outside walls of a room, especially under the windows.
PERIODIC INTEREST RATE CAP — With respect to an adjustable rate mortgage, limits the increase or decrease in the note rate at each rate adjustment, thereby limiting the borrower’s payment increase or decrease at the time of adjustment.
PERSONAL PROPERTY — Any property which is not real property.
PHYSICAL DETERIORATION — Impairment of condition. Loss in value brought about by wear and tear, disintegration, use and actions of the elements; termed curable and incurable.
PLAINTIFF — In a court action, the one who sues; the complainant.
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT — A subdivision consisting of separately owned parcels of land together with membership in an association which owns a common area. Sometimes the owners of separate interests also have an undivided interest in the common area.
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT — (PUD) A term sometimes used to describe a planned development. A planning and zoning term describing land not subject to conventional zoning to permit clustering of residences or other characteristics of the project which differ from normal zoning.
PLANNING COMMISSION — An agency of local government charged with planning the development, redevelopment or preservation of an area.
PLAT (of survey) — A map of land made by a surveyor showing the boundaries, buildings, and other improvements.
PLEDGE — The depositing of personal property by a debtor with a creditor as security for a debt or engagement.
PLEDGEE — One who is given a pledge or a security. (See definition of Secured Party.)
PLEDGOR — One who offers a pledge or gives security. (See definition of debtor.)
PLOTTAGE — A term used in appraising to designate the increased value of two or more contiguous lots when they are joined under single ownership and available for use as a larger single lot. Also called assemblage.
PLOTTAGE INCREMENT — The appreciation in unit value created by joining smaller ownerships into one large single ownership.
POINTS — See Discount Points.
POLICE POWER — The right of the State to enact laws and enforce them for the order, safety, health, morals and general welfare of the public.
POWER OF ATTORNEY — A written instrument whereby a principal gives authority to an agent. The agent acting under such a grant is sometimes called an attorney in fact.
POWER OF SALE — The power of a mortgagee or trustee when the instrument so provides to sell the secured property without judicial proceedings if a borrower defaults in payment of the promissory note or otherwise breaches the terms of the mortgage or deed of trust.
PREFABRICATED HOUSE — A house manufactured and sometimes partly assembled before delivery to building site.
PREFERRED STOCK — A class of corporate stock entitled to preferential treatment such as priority in distribution of dividends.
PREPAID ITEMS OF EXPENSE — Prorations of prepaid items of expense which are credited to the seller in the closing escrow statement.
PREPAYMENT — Provision made for loan payments to be larger than those specified in the note.
PREPAYMENT PENALTY — The charge payable to a lender by a borrower under the terms of the loan agreement if the borrower pays off the outstanding principal balance of the loan prior to its maturity.
PRESCRIPTION — The means of acquiring incorporeal interests in land, usually an easement, by immemorial or long continued use. The time is ordinarily the term of the statute of limitations.
PRESUMPTION — An assumption of fact that the law requires to be made from another fact or group of facts found or otherwise established in the section.
PRIMA FACIE — Latin meaning first sight, a fact presumed to be true until disproved.
PRINCIPAL — This term is used to mean the employer of an agent; or the amount of money borrowed, or the amount of the loan. Also, one of the main parties in a real estate transaction, such as a buyer, borrower, seller, lessor.
PRINCIPAL NOTE — The promissory note which is secured by the mortgage or trust deed.
PRIOR LIEN — A lien which is senior or superior to others.
PRIORITY OF LIEN — The order in which liens are given legal precedence or preference.
PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE — Mortgage guaranty insurance available to conventional lenders on the first, high risk portion of a loan (PMI).
PRIVITY — Mutual relationship to the same rights of property, contractual relationship.
PRIVITY OF CONTRACT — The relationship which exists between the persons who are parties to a contract.
PROCURING CAUSE — That cause originating from a series of events that, without break in continuity, results in the prime object of an agent’s employment producing a final buyer; the real estate agent who first procures a ready, willing, and able buyer for the agreed upon price and terms and is entitled to the commission.
PROGRESS PAYMENTS — Scheduled, periodic, and partial payment of construction loan funds to a builder as each construction stage is completed.
PROGRESSION, PRINCIPLE OF — The worth of a lesser valued residence tends to be enhanced by association with higher valued residences in the same area.
PROMISSORY NOTE — Following a loan commitment from the lender, the borrower signs a note, promising to repay the loan under stipulated terms. The promissory note establishes personal liability for its payment. The evidence of the debt.
PROPERTY — Everything capable of being owned and acquired lawfully. The rights of ownership. The right to use, possess, enjoy, and dispose of a thing in every legal way and to exclude everyone else from interfering with these rights. Property is classified into two groups, personal property and real property.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT — A branch of the real estate business involving the marketing, operation, maintenance and day-to-day financing of rental properties.
PRO RATA — In proportion; according to a certain percentage or proportion of a whole.
PRORATION — Adjustments of interest, taxes, and insurance, etc., on a pro rata basis as of the closing or agreed upon date. Fire insurance is normally paid for three years in advance. If a property is sold during this time, the seller wants a refund on that portion of the advance payment that has not been used at the time the title to the property is transferred. For example, if the property is sold two years later, the seller will want to receive 1/3 of the advance premium that was paid. Usually done in escrow by escrow holder at time of closing the transaction.
PRORATION OF TAXES — To divide or prorate the taxes equally or proportionately to time of use, usually between seller and buyer.
PROXIMATE CAUSE — That cause of an event which, in a natural and continuous sequence unbroken by any new cause, produced that event, and without which the event would not have happened. Also, the procuring cause.
PUBLIC RECORDS — Records which by law impart constructive notice of matters relating to land.
PUBLIC TRUSTEE — The county public official whose office has been created by statute to whom title to real property in certain states, e.g., Colorado, is conveyed by Trust Deed for the use and benefit of the beneficiary, who usually is the lender.
PURCHASE AND INSTALLMENT SALE BACK — Involves purchase of the property upon completion of construction and immediate saleback on a long-term installment contract.
PURCHASE OF LAND, LEASEBACK AND LEASEHOLD MORTGAGES — An arrangement whereby land is purchased by the lender and leased back to the developer with a mortgage negotiated on the resulting leasehold of the income property constructed. The lender receives an annual ground rent, plus a percentage of income from the property.
PURCHASE AND LEASEBACK — Involves the purchase of property by buyer and immediate leaseback to seller.
PURCHASE MONEY MORTGAGE OR TRUST DEED — A trust deed or mortgage given as part or all of the purchase consideration for real property. In some states the purchase money mortgage or trust deed loan can be made by a seller who extends credit to the buyer of property or by a third party lender (typically a financial institution) that makes a loan to the buyer of real property for a portion of the purchase price to be paid for the property. In many states there are legal limitations upon mortgagees and trust deed beneficiaries collecting deficiency judgments against the purchase money borrower after the collateral hypothecated under such security instruments has been sold through the foreclosure process. Generally no deficiency judgment
is allowed if the collateral property under the mortgage or trust deed is residential property of four units or less with the debtor occupying the property as a place of residence.
QUANTITY SURVEY — A highly technical process in arriving at cost estimate of new construction and sometimes referred to in the building trade as the “price take-off” method. It involves a detailed estimate of the quantities of raw material (lumber, plaster, brick, cement, etc.,) used as well as the current price of the material and installation costs. These factors are all added together to arrive at the cost of a structure. It is usually used by contractors and experienced estimators.
QUARTER ROUND — A molding that presents a profile of a quarter circle.
QUIET ENJOYMENT — Right of an owner or tenant to the use of the property without interference of possession.
QUIET TITLE — A court action brought to establish title; to remove a cloud on the title.
QUITCLAIM DEED — A deed to relinquish any interest in property which the grantor may have, without any warranty of title or interest.
RADIANT HEATING — A method of heating, usually consisting of coils, or pipes placed in the floor, wall, or ceiling.
RANGE — A strip or column of land six miles wide, determined by a government survey, running in a north south direction, lying east or west of a principal meridian.
RANGE LINES — A series of government survey lines running north and south at six-mile intervals starting with the principal meridian and forming the east and west boundaries of townships.
RATE ADJUSTMENT DATE — With respect to an adjustable rate mortgage, the date the borrower’s note rate may change.
RATIFICATION — The adoption or approval of an act performed on behalf of a person without previous authorization, such as the approval by a principal of previously unauthorized acts of an agent, after the acts have been performed.
READY, WILLING AND ABLE BUYER — One who is fully prepared to enter into the contract, really wants to buy, and unquestionably meets the financing requirements of purchase.
REAL ESTATE — (See Real Property.)
REAL ESTATE BOARD — An organization whose members consist primarily of real estate brokers and salespersons.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST — (See REIT).
REAL ESTATE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES ACT (RESPA) — A federal law requiring the disclosure to borrowers of settlement (closing) procedures and costs by means of a pamphlet and forms prescribed by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
REAL ESTATE SYNDICATE — An organization of investors usually in the form of a limited partnership who have joined together for the purpose of pooling capital for the acquisition of real property interests.
REAL ESTATE TRUST — A special arrangement under Federal and State law whereby investors may pool funds for investments in real estate and mortgages and yet escape corporation taxes, profits being passed to individual investors who are taxed.
REAL PROPERTY — Land and anything growing on, attached to, or erected on it, excluding anything that may be severed without injury to the land.
REAL PROPERTY LOAN LAW — Article 7 of Chapter 3 of the Real Estate Law under which a real estate licensee negotiating loans secured by real property within a specified range is required to give the borrower a statement disclosing the costs and terms of the loan and which also limits the amount of expenses and charges that a borrower may pay with respect to the loan.
REAL PROPERTY SALES CONTRACT — An agreement to convey title to real property upon satisfaction of specified conditions which does not require conveyance within one year of formation of the contract.
RECAPTURE — The process of recovery by an owner of money invested by employing the use of a rate of interest necessary to provide for the return of an investment; not to be confused with interest rate, which is a rate of return on an investment.
RECONVEYANCE — The transfer of the title of land from one person to the immediate preceding owner. This instrument of transfer is commonly used to transfer the legal title from the trustee to the trustor (borrower) after a trust deed debt has been paid in full.
RECORDING — The process of placing a document on file with a designated public official for public notice. This public official is usually a county officer known as the County Recorder who designates the fact that a document has been presented for recording by placing a recording stamp upon it indicating the time of day and the date when it was officially placed on file. Documents filed with the Recorder are considered to be placed on open notice to the general public of that county. Claims against property usually are given a priority on the basis of the time and the date they are recorded with the most preferred claim going to the earliest one recorded and the next claim going to the next earliest one recorded, and so on. This type of notice is called “constructive notice” or “legal notice”.
REDEEM — To buy back; repurchase; recover.
REDEMPTION — Buying back one’s property after a judicial sale.
REDLINING — A lending policy, illegal in California, of denying real estate loans on properties in older, changing urban areas, usually with large minority populations, because of alleged higher lending risks without due consideration being given by the lending institution to the credit worthiness of the individual loan applicant.
REFINANCING — The paying-off of an existing obligation and assuming a new obligation in its place. To finance anew, or extend or renew existing financing.
REFORMATION — An action to correct a mistake in a deed or other document.
REHABILITATION — The restoration of a property to satisfactory condition without drastically changing the plan, form or style of architecture.
REIT — A Real Estate Investment Trust is a business trust which deals principally with interest in land— generally organized to conform to the Internal Revenue Code.
RELEASE CLAUSE — A stipulation that upon the payment of a specific sum of money to the holder of a trust deed or mortgage, the lien of the instrument as to a specifically described lot or area shall be removed from the blanket lien on the whole area involved.
RELEASE DEED — An instrument executed by the mortgagee or the trustee reconveying to the mortgagor or trustor the real estate which secured the loan after the debt has been paid in full.
REMAINDER — An estate which takes effect after the termination of the prior estate, such as a life estate. A future possessory interest in real estate.
REMAINDER DEPRECIATION — The possible future loss in value of an improvement to real property.
RENEGOTIABLE RATE MORTGAGE — A loan secured by a long term mortgage which provides for renegotiation, at predetermined intervals, of the interest rate (for a maximum variation of five percent over the life of the mortgage.)
RENUNCIATION — When someone who has been granted something or has accepted something later gives it up or rejects it; as when an agent withdraws from the agency relationship.
REPLACEMENT COST — The cost to replace a structure with one having utility equivalent to that being appraised, but constructed with modern materials and according to current standards, design and layout.
REPRODUCTION COST — The cost of replacing the subject improvement with one that is the exact replica, having the same quality of workmanship, design and layout, or cost to duplicate an asset.
RESCISSION — The cancellation of a contract and restoration of the parties to the same position they held before the contract was entered into.
RESCISSION OF CONTRACT — The abrogation or annulling of contract; the revocation or repealing of contract by mutual consent by parties to the contract, or for cause by either party to the contract.
RESERVATION — A right retained by a grantor in conveying property.
RESERVES — 1) In a common interest subdivisions, an accumulation of funds collected from owners for future replacement and major maintenance of the common area and facilities. 2) With regard to mortgage loans, an accumulation of funds, collected by the lender from the borrower as part of each monthly mortgage payment, an amount allocated to pay property taxes and insurance when they are due.
RESPA — (See Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.)
RESTRICTION — A limitation on the use of real property. Property restrictions fall into two general classifications—public and private. Zoning ordinances are examples of the former type. Restrictions may be created by private owners, typically by appropriate clauses in deeds, or in agreements, or in general plans of entire subdivisions. Usually they assume the form of a covenant, or promise to do or not to do a certain thing.
RETROSPECTIVE VALUE — The value of the property as of a previous date.
RETURN — Profit from an investment; the yield.
REVERSION — The right to future possession or enjoyment by a person, or the person’s heirs, creating the preceding estate. (For example, at the end of a lease.)
REVERSIONARY INTEREST — The interest which a person has in lands or other property, upon the termination of the preceding estate. A future interest.
REVOCATION — When someone who granted or offered something withdraws it; as when a principal withdraws the authority granted to the agent, an offeror withdraws the offer or the DRE cancels a salesperson or broker license.
RIGHT OF SURVIVORSHIP — The right of a surviving tenant or tenants to succeed to the entire interest of the deceased tenant; the distinguishing feature of a joint tenancy.
RIGHT OF WAY — A privilege operating as an easement on land, whereby the owner does by grant, or by agreement, give to another the right to pass over owner’s land, to construct a roadway, or use as a roadway, a specific part of the land; or the right to construct through and over the land, telephone, telegraph, or electric power lines; or the right to place underground water mains, gas mains, or sewer mains.
RIGHT, TITLE AND INTEREST — A term used in deeds to denote that the grantor is conveying all of that to which grantor held claim.
RIPARIAN RIGHTS — The right of a landowner whose land borders on a stream or watercourse to use and enjoy the water which is adjacent to or flows over the owners land provided such use does not injure other riparian owners.
RISK ANALYSIS — A study made, usually by a lender, of the various factors that might affect the repayment of a loan.
RISK RATING — A process used by the lender to decide on the soundness of making a loan and to reduce all the various factors affecting the repayment of the loan to a qualified rating of some kind.
SALE AND LEASEBACK — A financial arrangement where at the time of sale the seller retains occupancy by concurrently agreeing to lease the property from the purchaser. The seller receives cash while the buyer is assured a tenant and a fixed return on the buyer’s investment.
SALE-LEASEBACK-BUY-BACK — A sale and leaseback transaction in which the leaseholder has the option to buy back the original property after a specified period of time.
SALES CONTRACT — A contract by which buyer and seller agree to terms of a sale.
SALVAGE VALUE — In computing depreciation for tax purposes, the reasonably anticipated fair market value of the property at the end of its useful life and must be considered with all but the declining balance methods of depreciation.
SANDWICH LEASE — A leasehold interest which lies between the primary lease and the operating lease.
SASH — Wood or metal frames containing one or more window panes.
SATISFACTION — Discharge of a mortgage or trust deed from the records upon payment of the debt.
SATISFACTION PIECE — An instrument for recording and acknowledging payment of an indebtedness secured by a mortgage.
SCRIBING — Fitting woodwork to an irregular surface.
SEAL — An impression made to attest the execution of an instrument.
SECONDARY FINANCING — A loan secured by a second mortgage or trust deed on real property. These can be third, fourth, fifth, sixth mortgages or trust deeds, on and on ad infinitum.
SECONDARY MARKET — The buying and selling of existing deeds of trust and promissory notes. The primary market is the one in which lenders loan money to borrowers; the secondary market is the one in which the lenders sell their loans to the large secondary marketing agencies (FNMA, FHLMC, and GNMA) or to other investors.
SECTION — Section of land is established by government survey, contains 640 acres and is one mile square.
SECURED PARTY — This is the party having the security interest. Thus the mortgagee, the conditional seller, the pledgee, etc., are all now referred to as the secured party. (Uniform Commercial Code.)
SECURITY AGREEMENT — An agreement between the secured party and the debtor which creates the security interest. (Uniform Commercial Code.)
SECURITY INTEREST — A term designating the interest of the creditor in the property of the debtor in all types of credit transactions. It thus replaces such terms as the following — chattel mortgage; pledge; trust receipt; chattel trust; equipment trust; conditional sale; inventory lien; etc., according to Uniform Commercial Code usage.
SEISIN (SEIZIN) — Possession of real estate by one entitled thereto.
SELLER’S MARKET — The market condition which exists when a seller is in a more commanding position as to price and terms because demand exceeds supply.
SEPARATE PROPERTY — Property owned by a married person in his or her own right outside of the community interest including property acquired by the spouse (1) before marriage, (2) by gift or inheritance, (3) from rents and profits on separate property, and (4) with the proceeds from other separate property.
SEPTIC TANK — An underground tank in which sewage from the house is reduced to liquid by bacterial action and drained off.
SERVICING LOANS — Supervising and administering a loan after it has been made. This involves such things as — collecting the payments, keeping accounting records, computing the interest and principal, foreclosure of defaulted loans, and so on.
SETBACK ORDINANCE — An ordinance requiring improvements built on property to be a specified distance from the property line, street or curb.
SEVERALTY OWNERSHIP — Owned by one person only. Sole ownership.
SHARED APPRECIATION MORTGAGE — A loan having a fixed rate of interest set below the market rate for the term of the loan which also provides for contingent interest to be paid to the lender on a certain percentage of appreciation in the value of the property against which the loan is secured upon transfer or sale of the property or the repayment of the loan.
SHERIFF’S DEED — Deed given by court order in connection with sale of property to satisfy a judgment.
SIMPLE INTEREST — Interest computed on the principal amount of a loan only as distinguished from compound interest.
SINKING FUND — Fund set aside from the income from property which, with accrued interest, will eventually pay for replacement of the improvements.
SLANDER OF TITLE — False and malicious statements disparaging an owner’s title to property and resulting in actual pecuniary damage to the owner.
SPECIAL ASSESSMENT — 1) Legal charge against real estate by a public authority to pay cost of public improvements such as street lights, sidewalks, street improvements. 2) In a common interest subdivision, a charge, in addition to the regular assessment, levied by the association against owners in the development, for unanticipated repairs or maintenance on the common area or capital improvement of the common area.
SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY — A written instrument whereby a principal confers limited authority upon an agent to perform certain prescribed acts on behalf of the principal.
SPECIAL WARRANTY DEED — A deed in which the grantor warrants or guarantees the title only against defects arising during grantor’s ownership of the property and not against defects existing before the time of grantor’s ownership.
SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE — An action to compel performance of an agreement, e.g., sale of land as an alternative to damages or rescission.
SREA — Society of Real Estate Appraisers.
STANDARD DEPTH — Generally the most typical lot depth in the neighborhood.
STANDBY COMMITMENT — The mortgage banker frequently protects a builder by a “standby”
agreement, under which a banker agrees to make mortgage loans at an agreed price for many months into the future. The builder deposits a “standby fee” with the mortgage banker for this service. Frequently, the mortgage broker protects self by securing a “standby” from a long-term investor for the same period of time, paying a fee for this privilege.
STATUTE OF FRAUDS — A state law, based on an old English statute, requiring certain contracts to be in writing and signed before they will be enforceable at law, e.g.. contracts for the sale of real property, contracts not to be performed within one year.
STATUTORY WARRANTY DEED — A short term warranty deed which warrants by inference that the seller is the undisputed owner, has the right to convey the property, and will defend the title if necessary. This type of deed protects the purchaser in that the conveyor covenants to defend all claims against the property. If the conveyor fails to do so, the new owner can defend said claims and sue the former owner.
STRAIGHT LINE DEPRECIATION — A method of depreciation under which improvements are
depreciated at a constant rate throughout the estimated useful life of the improvement.
STRAIGHT NOTE — A note in which a borrower repays the principal in a lump sum at maturity while interest is paid in installments or at maturity. (See Interest Only Note.)
SUBAGENT — A person upon whom the powers of an agent have been conferred, not by the principal, but by an agent as authorized by the agent’s principal.
SUBDIVISION — A legal definition of those divisions of real property for the purpose of sale, lease or financing which are regulated by law. For examples see — California Business and Professions Code Sections 11000, 11000.1, 11004.5; California Government Code Section 66424; United States Code, Title 15, Section 1402(3).
“SUBJECT TO” A MORTGAGE — When a grantee takes title to real property subject to a mortgage, grantee is not responsible to the holder of the promissory note for the payment of any portion of the amount due. The most that grantee can lose in the event of a foreclosure is grantee’s equity in the property. (See also “assumption of mortgage”.) In neither case is the original maker of the note released from primary responsibility. If liability is to be assumed, the agreement must state so.
SUBLEASE — A lease given by a lessee.
SUBORDINATE — To make subject to, or junior or inferior to.
SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT — An agreement by the holder of an encumbrance against real property to permit that claim to take an inferior position to other encumbrances against the property.
SUBPOENA — A legal order to cause a witness to appear and give testimony.
SUBROGATION — Replacing one person with another in regard to a legal right or obligation. The substitution of another person in place of the creditor, to whose rights he or she succeeds in relation to the debt. The doctrine is used very often where one person agrees to stand surety for the performance of a contract by another person.
SUBSIDY BUYDOWN — Funds provided usually by the builder or seller to temporarily reduce the borrower’s monthly principal and interest payment.
SUBSTITUTION, PRINCIPLE OF — Affirms that the maximum value of a property tends to be set by the cost of acquiring an equally desirable and valuable substitute property, assuming no costly delay is encountered in making the substitution.
SUM OF THE YEARS DIGITS — An accelerated depreciation method.
SUPPLY AND DEMAND, PRINCIPLE OF — In appraising, a valuation principle starting that market value is affected by intersection of supply and demand forces in the market as of the appraisal date.
SURETY — One who guarantees the performance of another — Guarantor.
SURPLUS PRODUCTIVITY, PRINCIPLE OF — The net income that remains after the proper costs of labor, organization and capital have been paid, which surplus is imputable to the land and tends to fix the value thereof.
SURVEY — The process by which a parcel of land is measured and its area is ascertained.
SYNDICATE — A partnership organized for participation in a real estate venture. Partners may be limited or unlimited in their liability. (See real estate syndicate.)
TAKE-OUT LOAN — The loan arranged by the owner or builder developer for a buyer. The construction loan made for construction of the improvements is usually paid in full from the proceeds of this more permanent mortgage loan.
TAX — Enforced charge exacted of persons, corporations and organizations by the government to be used to support government services and programs.
TAX DEED — The deed given to a purchaser at a public sale of land held for nonpayment of taxes. It conveys to the purchaser only such title as the defaulting taxpayer had.
TAX-FREE EXCHANGE — The trade or exchange of one real property for another without the need to pay income taxes on the gain at the time of trade.
TAX SALE — Sale of property after a period of nonpayment of taxes.
TENANCY IN COMMON — Co-ownership of property by two or more persons who each hold an undivided interest, without right of survivorship; interests need not be equal.
TENANT — The party who has legal possession and use of real property belonging to another.
TENANTS BY THE ENTIRETIES — Under certain state laws, ownership of property acquired by a husband and wife during marriage, which property is jointly and equally owned. Upon depth of one spouse it becomes the property of the survivor.
TENTATIVE MAP — The Subdivision Map Act requires subdividers to submit initially a tentative map of their tract to the local planning commission for study. The approval or disapproval of the planning commission is noted on the map. Thereafter, a final map of the tract embodying any changes requested by the planning commission is required to be filed with the planning commission.
TENURE IN LAND — The mode or manner by which an estate in lands is held. All rights and title rest with the owner.
TERMITES — Ant-like insects which feed on wood and are highly destructive to wooden structures.
TERMITE SHIELD — A shield, usually of non corrodible metal, placed on top of the foundation wall or around pipes to prevent passage of termites.
TESTATOR — One who makes a will.
THIRD PARTY — Persons who are not parties to a contract which affects an interest they have in the object of the contract.
THRESHOLD — A strip of wood or metal beveled on each edge and used above the finished floor under outside doors.
TIDELANDS — Lands that are covered and uncovered by the ebb and flow of the tide.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE — A condition of a contract expressing the essential nature of performance of the contract by a party in a specified period of time.
TIME-SHARE ESTATE — A right of occupancy in a time-share project (subdivision) which is coupled with an estate in the real property.
TIME-SHARE PROJECT — A form of subdivision of real property into rights to the recurrent, exclusive use or occupancy of a lot, parcel, unit, or segment of real property, on an annual or some other periodic basis, for a specified period of time.
TIME-SHARE USE — A license or contractual or membership right of occupancy in a timeshare project which is not coupled with an estate in the real property.
TITLE — Indicates “fee’’ position of lawful ownership and right to property. “Bundle of Rights” possessed by an owner. Combination of all elements constituting proof of ownership.
TITLE INSURANCE — Insurance to protect a real property owner or lender up to a specified amount against certain types of loss, e.g., defective or unmarketable title.
TITLE REPORT — A report which discloses the condition of the title, made by a title company preliminary to issuance of title insurance policy.
TITLE THEORY — Mortgage arrangement whereby title to mortgaged real property vests in the lender. Some states give greater protection to mortgage lenders and assume lenders have title interest. Distinguished from Lien Theory States.
TOPOGRAPHY — Nature of the surface of land; topography may be level, rolling, mountainous. Variation in earth’s surface.
TORRENS TITLE — System of title records provided by state law (no longer used in California)
TORT — Any wrongful act (not involving a breach of contract) for which a civil section will lie for the person wronged.
TOWNHOUSE — One of a row of houses usually of the same or similar design with common side walls or with a very narrow space between adjacent side walls.
TOWNSHIP — In the survey of public lands of the United States, a territorial subdivision six miles long, six miles wide and containing 36 sections, each one mile square, located between two range lines and two township lines.
TRADE FIXTURES — Articles of personal property annexed by a business tenant to real property which are necessary to the carrying on of a trade and are removable by the tenant.
TRADE-IN — An increasingly popular method of guaranteeing an owner a minimum amount of cash on sale of the owner’s present property to permit the owner to purchase another. If the property is not sold within a specified time at the listed price, the broker agrees to arrange financing to personally purchase the property at an agreed upon discount.
TRANSFER FEE — A charge made by a lending institution holding or collecting on a real estate mortgage to change its records to reflect a different ownership.
TRUST ACCOUNT — An account separate and apart and physically segregated from broker’s own funds, in which broker is required by law to deposit all funds collected for clients.
TRUST DEED — Just as with a mortgage this is a legal document by which a borrower pledges certain real property or collateral as guarantee for the repayment of a loan. However, it differs from the mortgage in a number of important respects. For example, instead of there being two parties to the transaction there are three. There is the borrower who signs the trust deed and who is called the trustor. There is the third, neutral party, to whom trustor deeds the property as security for the payment of the debt, who is called the trustee. And, finally, there is the lender who is called the beneficiary, the one who benefits from the pledge agreement in that in the event of a default the trustee can sell the property and transfer the money obtained at
the sale to the lender as payment of the debt.
TRUSTEE — One who holds property in trust for another to secure the performance of an obligation. Third party under a deed of trust.
TRUSTOR — One who borrows money from a trust deed lender, then deeds the real property securing the loan to a trustee to be held as security until trustor has performed the obligation to the lender under terms of a deed of trust.
TRUTH IN LENDING — The name given to the federal statutes and regulations (Regulation Z) which are designed primarily to insure that prospective borrowers and purchasers on credit receive credit cost information before entering into a transaction.
UNDER IMPROVEMENT — An improvement which, because of its deficiency in size or cost, is not the highest and best use of the site.
UNDERWRITING — Insuring something against loss; guaranteeing financially.
UNDUE INFLUENCE — Use of a fiduciary or confidential relationship to obtain a fraudulent or unfair advantage over another’s weakness of mind, or distress or necessity.
UNEARNED INCREMENT — An increase in value of real estate due to no effort on the part of the owner; often due to increase in population.
UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE — Establishes a unified and comprehensive method for regulation of security transactions in personal property, superseding the existing statutes on chattel mortgages, conditional sales, trust receipts, assignment of accounts receivable and others in this field.
UNIT-IN-PLACE METHOD — The cost of erecting a building by estimating the cost of each component part, i.e., foundations, floors, walls, windows, ceilings, roofs, etc., (including labor and overhead).
URBAN PROPERTY — City property; closely settled property.
USURY — On a loan, claiming a rate of interest greater than that permitted by law.
UTILITIES — Refers to services rendered by public utility companies, such as — water, gas, electricity, telephone.
UTILITY — The ability to give satisfaction and/or excite desire for possession. An element of value.
VACANCY FACTOR — The percentage of a building’s space that is not rented over a given period.
VALID — Having force, or binding force; legally sufficient and authorized by law.
VALLEY — The internal angle formed by the junction of two sloping sides of a roof.
VALUATION — Estimated worth or price. Estimation. The act of valuing by appraisal.
VA LOAN — A loan made to qualified veterans for the purchase of real property wherein the Department of Veteran’s Affairs guarantees the lender payment of the mortgage.
VALUE — Present worth of future benefits arising out of ownership to typical users/investors.
VARIABLE INTEREST RATE — (VlRs or VMRs, Variable Mortgage Rates.) An interest rate in a real estate loan which by the terms of the note varies upward and downward over the term of the loan depending on money market conditions.
VENDEE — A purchaser; buyer.
VENDOR — A seller.
VENEER — Thin sheets of wood.
VERIFICATION — Sworn statement before a duly qualified officer to correctness of contents of an instrument.
VESTED — Bestowed upon someone; secured by someone, such as title to property.
VOID — To have no force or effect; that which is unenforceable.
VOIDABLE — That which is capable of being adjudged void, but is not void unless action is taken to make it so.
VOLUNTARY LIEN — Any lien placed on property with consent of, or as a result of, the voluntary act of the owner.
WAINSCOTING — Wood lining of an interior wall; lower section of a wall when finished differently from the upper part.
WAIVE — To relinquish, or abandon; to forego a right to enforce or require anything.
WARRANTY OF AUTHORITY — A representation by an agent to third persons that the agent has and is acting within the scope of authority conferred by his or her principal.
WARRANTY DEED — A deed used to convey real property which contains warranties of title and quiet possession, and the grantor thus agrees to defend the premises against the lawful claims of third persons. It is commonly used in many states but in others the grant deed has supplanted it due to the modern practice of securing title insurance policies which have reduced the importance of express and implied warranty in deeds.
WASTE — The destruction, or material alteration of, or injury to premises by a tenant.
WATER TABLE — Distance from surface of ground to a depth at which natural groundwater is found.
WEAR AND TEAR — Depreciation of an asset due to ordinary usage.
WILL — A written, legal declaration of a person expressing his or her desires for the disposition of that person’s property after his or her death.
WRAP AROUND MORTGAGE — A financing device whereby a lender assumes payments on existing trust deeds of a borrower and takes from the borrower a junior trust deed with a face value in an amount equal to the amount outstanding on the old trust deeds and the additional amount of money borrowed.
X — An individual who cannot write may execute a legal document by affixing an “X” (his/her mark) where the signature normally goes. Beneath the mark a witness then writes the person’s name and signs his or her own name as witness.
YARD — A unit of measurement 3 feet long.
YIELD — The interest earned by an investor on an investment (or by a bank on the money it has loaned). Also, called return.
YIELD RATE — The yield expressed as a percentage of the total investment. Also, called rate of return
ZONE — The area set off by the proper authorities for specific use; an area subject to certain restrictions or restraints.
ZONING — Act of city or county authorities specifying type of use to which property may be put in specific areas.
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