Cleaned Glossary H-St Flashcards
Habendum Clause
A clause in a deed, usually beginning with “to have and to hold,” that describes the type of estate granted.
Half Timbering
A construction method in which the external walls have exposed wood framing constructed of timber frames, with other materials such as plaster or brick filling the space between them.
Have
The part of the auctioneer’s chant that indicates the current bid. (“I have 50, who’ll give me 60?”)
Heat Pump
A combination heating and cooling system consisting of compressors, refrigerants, blowers, and ducts.
Heterogeneity
A characteristic of real property; each piece of land, each building, and each house is a unique piece of real estate. Also called Uniqueness.
Highest and Best Use
The most profitable, legally permitted, feasible, and physically possible use of a piece of property.
Holder in Due Course
One who acquires a negotiable instrument in good faith and for consideration, and thus has certain rights above the original payee.
Holdover Tenant
A lessee who remains in possession of property after the lease has expired; a tenant who refuses to surrender possession of property at the tenancy’s end.
Home Acquisition Debt
A loan that a taxpayer takes out to buy, build, or substantially improve a qualified home.
Home Energy Rating System (HERS)
A measurement of a home’s energy efficiency used primarily in the United States; in the HERS Index, the higher the score, the less energy efficient the home is.
Home Equity Debt
A loan that does not qualify as home acquisition debt but is secured by a qualified home.
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
Available money that a homeowner can borrow, secured by a second mortgage on the principal residence. The homeowner can access HELOC funds at any time up to a predetermined borrowing limit and use them for non-housing expenditures.
Home Equity Loan
A loan taken by a homeowner that is secured by a mortgage on their principal residence.
Home Inspection
An unbiased, systematic, noninvasive, visual inspection of the physical structure and systems of a home.
Home Inspection Report
A written report that a home inspector issues after a home inspection detailing issues found.
Home Warranty
A contract between a homeowner and a home warranty company that provides coverage for the covers repair or replacement of named components of the home for a specified period of time, such as one year.
Homeowners Association (HOA)
A nonprofit association composed of homeowners in a subdivision, responsible for enforcing the subdivision’s CC&Rs and managing other community affairs.
Homestead
A statutory or legal life estate recognized in some states that protects the interests in real estate belonging to a deceased person for the use of a surviving spouse and minor children.
Horizontal Property Acts
A generic name given to state laws that create the legal framework that allows a condominium form of ownership. These acts make it possible for lenders to provide mortgages on condominiums, for tax authorities to assess property taxes, etc.
Hot Water or Steam System
A type of heating system consisting of boilers, pipes, and radiators.
Housing Expense Ratio
The relationship of a borrower’s total monthly housing expense to gross monthly income, expressed as a percentage (Total Housing Expense ÷ Income = Ratio%). Also called Income-to-Payment Ratio or Front-End Ratio
HVAC
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
Hypothecation
The act of pledging property to be the security for a loan without giving up possession of it, as with a mortgage.
Illegal Flipping
A scheme in which property is purchased at a low price, appraised at an inflated value without justification, and resold at the higher price.
Illegal Per Se
Something deemed unlawful on the face of the evidence, without need to consider context or intent; generally made so by a statute, constitution, or case law.
Illiquidity
The difficulty of converting an asset to cash.
Immobility
A physical characteristic of real estate referring to the fact that it cannot be moved from one place to another.
Implicit Bias
The attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious way, making them difficult to control.
Implied Agency
An agency relationship created through the behavior (actions or words) of one or both parties.
Implied Contract
An agreement that hasn’t been put into words but is implied by actions of one or both parties.
Implied Warranty of Habitability
The lessor’s implicit promise that the premises comply with building codes and health and safety regulations and are otherwise safe for occupancy.
Improvement
A substantial, manufactured addition to real property, such as a building.
Imputed Knowledge
The legal concept that information communicated to the agent has been communicated to the principal, i.e., notice to the agent is notice to the client.
Incentive Zoning
A system by which developers receive zoning incentives on the condition that they provide specific physical, social, or cultural benefits to the community.
Incidental Authority
The authority to do everything reasonably necessary to carry out the principal’s express orders.
Income Approach
An appraisal method in which an opinion of the value of real property is derived by analyzing the amount of revenue the property generates or could generate.
Income Approach
An appraisal method that estimates the value of real estate by analyzing the amount of revenue, or income, the property currently generates, or could generate. Also called Capitalization Approach.
Income Statement
A report that details the income (e.g., in a property management report, the rent and any other income) and expenses associated with an investment over a specific period of time. Also called Profit and Loss Statement.
Increasing and Decreasing Returns
Economic principle stating the addition of more factors of production will add higher amounts to new income up to a certain point, which is the point where the maximum value of the asset has been reached; any further addition of factors of production will do nothing to increase the value.
Incurable Depreciation
Elements of a structure which are neither physically possible nor economically feasible to correct.
Independent Contractor
A term often erroneously applied to real estate licensees who are actually self-employed individuals under the supervision of their brokers (statutory non- employees, in IRS terms).
Indestructibility
A characteristic of real estate; land can’t be destroyed.
Index
A statistical report that is generally a reliable indicator of the approximate change in the cost of money; often used to adjust the interest rate of adjustable rate mortgages.
Index Lease
A lease in which the amount of the rent is tied to some common index indicator, such as the Consumer Price Index or the Wholesale Price Index. As the agreed-upon index increases, the rent goes up by the same percentage of change.
Index Method
A method for determining the cost of a building by taking its original cost and multiplying that number by an index factor based on how long ago the building was constructed.
Index Mortgage
A fixed-rate mortgage with payments that increase by a predetermined amount, with the increased payment amount applied to principal reduction.
Inflation
An increase in the cost of goods or services.
Inheritable
An interest in land that can be passed to a relative upon the death of the owner.
In-House Transaction
A situation in which a single brokerage represents both the buyer and seller in the same real estate transaction.
Injunction
A court-ordered prohibition against a particular act, as opposed to a judgment for money. Also called Injunctive Relief.
Injunctive Relief
A court-ordered prohibition against a specific act or conduct, as opposed to a judgment for money. Also called Injunction.
Inquiry Notice
When circumstances should have alerted someone to a possible problem prompting further investigation, a person may be held to have had notice of the problem even if they do not have actual knowledge of it.
Inspection Contingency
A purchase contract clause giving a buyer the right to have the home inspected during a specified period of time and to terminate the agreement should the inspection turn up issues the buyer and seller are unable to negotiate.
Inspection Period
The period specified in the purchase agreement during which the buyer has the opportunity to conduct an inspection.
Insulation
A material that is used to slow the flow of heat, moisture, shock, or sound.
Insurable Title
Title to property that a title insurance company has agreed to insure against defects that could affect its ownership or value of the property.
Insurance Value
The amount for which an owner can insure a property; usually only the replacement cost of the structure, disregarding any value for the land.
Interest Rate
The cost of using money expressed as a percent per period.
Intermediation
The flow of deposits into lending institutions that creates a mortgage money supply.
Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act
A federal law that protects consumers from fraud and abusive marketing practices in the sale and lease of land through interstate commerce.
Intestate
The state of dying without making a will, causing the decedent’s estate to pass on according to the state laws of descent and distribution.
Invalid
Without legal force.
Inventory
The number of available homes on the market listed as active or pending.
Investment Value
The value of a property to a particular investor based on that investor’s specific investment expectation and criteria.
Involuntary Alienation
When title to property is transferred during the owner’s lifetime without the owner’s consent.
Involuntary Lien
A lien that arises by operation of law, without the consent of the property owner.
Irrevocable
Not capable of being changed or terminated.
IRS Form 1099-S
A report indicating the seller’s proceeds from the sale or transfer of real estate that a settlement officer submits to the Internal Revenue Service.
IRV Formula
A simple calculation for finding the net operating income (I), the capitalization rate (R), or the value (V) of an investment property. When any two factors are known, the third can be determined. Also called Capitalization Rate Formula.
Joint Tenancy
A form of co-ownership in which the co-owners have equal undivided interests and the right of survivorship. Requires the unities of time, title, interest, and possession.
Joint Venture
Two or more individuals or companies joining together for one project or a series of related projects, but not as an ongoing business.
Joists
Long beams of wood or steel that span the perimeter a foundation or the load-bearing walls of a roof.
Judgment Lien
A recorded claim against another for a wrongful act, as ordered by a court (often for money owed). The result of a judgment lien can be the forced public sale of real estate.
Judicial Foreclosure
A lawsuit filed by a lender or other creditor to foreclose on a mortgage or other lien; a court-ordered sheriff’s sale of the property to repay the debt.
Jumbo Loan
A loan that exceeds the maximum loan amount that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy, making it nonconforming.
Junior Lien
An encumbrance that is second in priority to a previously recorded lien or to a lien to which the encumbrance has been subordinated.
Junk Fees
Charges assessed to a borrower by the loan originator that serve little if any function and are often hidden in the mortgage documents. Junk fees may or may not pay for an actual service to the borrower, but they typically are not known to the borrower prior to signing.
Just Compensation
Generally, the fair market value for property; a requirement when the government exercises its constitutional power of eminent domain.
Kickback
Fee or other compensation given as undisclosed commission for business referrals.
Kickbacks are prohibited by
RESPA.
Laches
The loss of a right through undue delay or a failure to assert.
Land
The surface of the earth, everything under the ground to the center of the earth, and everything over the earth into the air (allowances for air traffic).
Land Contract
A real estate installment agreement under which the buyer (vendee) makes payment to the seller (vendor) in exchange for the right to occupy and use the property. No deed or title is transferred until all, or a specified portion of, payments have been made. Also called Agreement for Sale, Installment Sales Agreement, Contract for Deed, or Land Sales
Land Lease
A lease under which the tenant leases the land from the owner, but the tenant owns the building. Also called Ground Lease.
Land Trust
A trust in which real estate is the only asset. The beneficiary has the right to possess the property as well as receive income or proceeds from its sale. The trustee manages the real estate as directed by the beneficiary; however, they are usually the same person.
Landlocked
A parcel that is completely shut in by adjoining parcels of land with no access to public roads.
Latent Defect
A flaw that is not visible or apparent; a hidden defect that would not be discovered in a reasonably thorough inspection of property.
Lawful and Possible Objective
The requirement that a contract’s terms not be illegal or impossible.
Lead
A bluish-white metal added to both exterior and interior paint as a drying agent and for pigmentation before 1978. Also, once used for pipes in plumbing systems in homes and businesses; can cause health issues, especially for children.
Lead
A person who has shown interest in a real estate service. Also called Prospect.
Lease
A contract in which one party pays the other rent in exchange for possession of real estate; also a conveyance of a leasehold estate from the property owner to a tenant.
Lease Purchase
A bilateral contract in which a tenant pays rent for temporary possession but is obligated to complete the purchase at some point in the future.
Lease with Option to Buy
A unilateral contract in which a tenant pays rent for temporary possession and also receives the option to purchase the property at some point in the future.
Leased Fee Estate
The owner’s interest in a leased estate, which is reversionary because possession reverts to the property owner (lessor) when the lease ends.
Leasehold Estate
The temporary interest that an owner gives to a tenant (lessee) that includes the right of possession and quiet enjoyment, without title. Also called Less-Than-Freehold
Leasehold Improvement
A fixture attached to real property by a landlord for the use of a tenant.
Legal Description
A precise description of a specific piece of property; the most common systems are lot and block, metes and bounds, rectangular (or government) survey.
Legal Title
The interest in property held by the rightful owner; the seller’s interest in property under a land contract.
Lessee
A person who leases property; a tenant.
Lessor
A person who leases property to another.
Leverage
Using borrowed money to increase a return on investment.
License
Revocable, non-assignable permission to enter another person’s land for a stated purpose.
Licensed Assistant
Someone who is licensed and chooses to be a personal assistant on a real estate team.
Licensed Residential Appraiser
An appraiser who may accept assignments to appraise one- to four-unit residential properties with some limitations on complexity and the transaction value.
Licensee
A person licensed under state law to practice real estate.
Lien
A non-possessory interest in property, giving a lienholder the right to foreclose if the owner does not pay a debt owed the lienholder.
Lien Theory State
A state in which real estate loans are regarded as liens and title remains with the lender.
Life Estate
An interest in real property, the duration of which is limited by the life of its owner or another designated person.
Life Estate Pur Autre Vie
A life estate where the measuring life is someone other than the life tenant. Pur autre vie translates for another’s life.
Life Tenant
Someone who owns a life estate; the person entitled to possession of the property during the measuring life.
Limited Common Areas
Areas in a condominium or cooperative which are owned by all, but used by only one owner (e.g., a balcony or designated parking space).
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
A legal entity that blends the characteristics of a corporation and limited partnership, offering its members the advantage of reduced personal liability (like a corporation) and a choice of how the business will be taxed.
Limited Partnership
A partnership composed of one or more general partners who run the business and one or more limited partners. Limited partners have no say in partnership matters and their liability is limited to their investment.
Limited Warranty Deed
A deed in which the grantor warrants title only against defects arising during the time they owned the property and not against defects arising before their ownership. Also called Special Warranty Deed.
Linear Feet
The total length in feet around a perimeter. For example, a 20-foot x 30-foot garden will take 100 linear feet of fencing (20 + 30 + 20 + 30 = 100).
Liquidated Damages
A sum of money that the parties to a contract agree to in advance that will serve as compensation in the event of breach. Often, it’s the forfeiture of the earnest money deposit in purchase contracts.
Liquidation Value
The value of a property if sold under duress or in a must-sell situation with less than typical market exposure.
Liquidity
The ability to convert an asset into cash quickly without the loss of principal.
Lis Pendens
A recorded notice stating that there is a lawsuit pending that may affect title to the defendant’s property.
Listing Agreement
A written agency contract between a seller and a broker, stating that the broker earns a commission for finding (or attempting to find) a buyer for the seller’s real property.
Listing Price
The amount of money at which a seller offers their property for sale as stated in a listing agreement.
Litigation
The process of taking legal action, such as filing a civil lawsuit.
Littoral Rights
Water rights of landowners whose land touches a commercial lake, sea, or ocean (i.e., a non-flowing body of water).
Load Factor
The ratio of rentable square footage to usable square footage. Also called Add- on Factor.
Loan Estimate
The disclosure of loan terms, annual percentage rate and other credit costs, and estimated settlement costs that lenders must present to borrowers within three business days of a completed loan application in order to satisfy provisions of the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.
Loan Value
The amount of money a lender is willing to lend someone to finance a property.
Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV)
The amount of money borrowed, compared to the value (the lesser of the sales price or appraised value) of the property.
Lockbox
A secured container for a key, usually attached to a house that’s for sale, accessible only by authorized individuals.
Lock-In Agreement
An agreement between a lender and a mortgage loan applicant which obligates the lender to make a mortgage loan at a specified rate for a specific period.
Lot
A parcel of land; a parcel in a subdivision.
Lot and Block System
A type of legal description used for platted property. The description states only the property’s lot number and block number in a particular subdivision. To find out the exact location of the property’s boundaries, one can consult the plat map for that subdivision at the county recorder’s office.
Loyalty
A fiduciary duty that requires a real estate licensee to put the principal’s interests above all others’ interests, including their own.
Management Agreement
A written agreement that governs the relationship between the property owner/investor and the property manager and outlines the duties of the property manager.
Management Proposal
A plan created by the property manager for overseeing the principal’s property, including market analysis, and developing a variety of financial reports, including the operating budget.
Manufactured Home
A type of prefabricated residence built with standardized parts constructed and assembled in a factory and transported to a home site to be installed on either a permanent or temporary foundation.
Margin
The difference between the index value and the interest rate charged to the borrower with an adjustable rate mortgage; the lender’s profit.
Marital Property
Property acquired by either a spouse or a legal partner during the course of a marriage or civil union.
Market
A place where buyers and sellers come together to buy and sell services or products.
Market Absorption Analysis
An evaluation of how many similar homes are for sale and historically how long it will take to sell that amount given current economic conditions.
Market Allocation
An antitrust violation where competitors agree to not compete with each other in specific markets by dividing up geographic areas, types of products, or types of customers. Also called Territory Allocation.
Market Analysis
A component of a property management proposal prepared by property managers that describes economic factors, population, zoning regulations, transportation, and other factors pertinent to the property’s location; used by property owners to make decisions about future investments, fair rental value, and how to set rental rates to cover expenses and costs.
Market Data Approach
A means of estimating value by comparing similar properties. Used when there is an active market and where comparables can be identified. Also called Comparable Sales Approach or Sales Comparison Approach
Market Extraction Method
A depreciation method based on sales of comparable properties with similar traits; focuses on the depreciation recognized for each comparable. Also called Market Abstraction Method.
Market Position
The position an agent’s listing is in compared to similar homes in the same neighborhood at a similar price.
Market Rent
The lease revenue a property should bring if available for lease.
Market Share
The percentage of total sales made by a real estate brokerage in a specific service area.
Market Value
The most probable price a property should bring on an open and competitive market under all conditions essential to a fair sale.
Marketable Title
A title that is free and clear from undisclosed encumbrances or other defects that would expose a purchaser to litigation or impede a purchaser’s ability to enjoy the property or to later sell the property; required to be delivered by the seller to the purchaser at settlement. Also called Merchantable Title
Master Deed
A document that converts a parcel of land into a condominium, identifying all individual dwelling units and the areas that make up the common elements.
Master Plan
A written document prepared by a local planning board that identifies the goals, objectives, principles, guidelines, policies, standards, and strategies for the growth and development of a community, including its housing needs. Also called Comprehensive Plan.
Matched Pair Analysis
Process of determining the value of specific property characteristics or features by comparing pairs of similar properties.
Material Breach
An unexcused failure to perform according to the terms of a contract that are important enough to excuse the non-breaching party from performing their contractual obligations.
Material Fact
A fact that would change the individual’s actions if it were known; in real estate, this usually refers specifically to things wrong with the property itself.
Materialman
A person who supplies materials, equipment, or fuel for a construction project.
Mayoral Campaign
Real estate marketing dialogue involving asking a new contact, “If you were buying or selling a home, or had a friend or family member who was, do you have an agent you would refer them to?”
Measuring Life
A person whose life determines the length of a life estate.
Mechanic’s Lien
A specific lien claimed by someone who performed work on the property (construction, repairs, improvements, etc.) to secure the amount of the charges for services with interest and costs. This term is often used in a general sense, referring to broker’s liens or materialman’s liens as well as actual mechanic’s liens. Also called Materialman’s Lien or Construction Lien.
Mechanical Exhaust Systems
Ventilation systems that use exhaust fans; typically located in the kitchen and bathrooms where warm, moist air is generated.
Meeting of the Minds
When all parties involved agree to the terms of a contract. This is achieved through offer and acceptance. Also called Mutual Agreement or Mutual Consent.
Metes and Bounds System
A legal description that starts at an easily identifiable point of beginning (POB), then describes the property’s boundaries in terms of courses (compass directions) and distances, ultimately returning to the point of beginning.
Mill
A measurement equal to one–tenth of one cent (.001) used to state the property tax rate.
Millage
A rate of taxation for real property calculated as $1 per $1,000 (or .001) of assessed value.
Mineral Rights
Rights to the minerals located beneath the surface of the land.gov
Ministerial Act
Tasks that a licensee may perform for a customer that are informative or clerical in nature and do not rise to the level of active agency representation.
Minor
One who has not attained the age of majority in a state and does not have legal capacity to be bound by most contracts.
Misrepresentation
A false or misleading statement.
Mitigation
Action taken by the non-breaching party to minimize the losses resulting from a breach of contract.
Mixed-Use Property
A development that combines residential, retail, and/or office space.
Mobile Home
A manufactured home built prior to 1976.
Mold
A fungus that can release toxins into the environment causing allergic reactions in some people.
Monetary Policy
Actions taken by the Federal Reserve to influence the availability and cost of money and credit as a means of promoting national economic goals.
Monopoly
A situation where only one or very few companies dominate the market share of a particular product or service.
Months’ Supply
The amount of time (expressed in 30-day increments) predicted to take to deplete inventory, given the number of homes on the market and the rate of recent closings .
Month Tenancy
A lease that has a term of one month but is renewable for successive months at the option of both parties; a type of periodic tenancy.
Monument
Any natural or man-made marker used to establish lines and boundaries in a metes and bounds survey. Also called Marker.
Moral Suasion
The use of persuasive influences rather than coercion or regulation to encourage changes in the public and financial markets.
Mortgage
A security instrument that creates a voluntary lien on real property to secure repayment of a debt.
Mortgage Banker
A financial institution that usually originates and funds its own loans, which may then be sold on the secondary market. Also called Mortgage Banking Company.
Mortgage Broker
A person who, for compensation, makes, negotiates, acquires, sells, or arranges for a mortgage loan.
Mortgage Contingency
A clause in a contract that states the agreement is contingent on the buyer obtaining approval for a mortgage loan.
Mortgage Fraud
Any scheme, whether for profit or property, involving misrepresentation, concealment, or omission used in an attempt to obtain a financing.
Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP)
The mandatory fee charged for FHA mortgage insurance coverage. The initial premium can be financed, and there is a monthly premium. Also called Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP).
Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO)
A person who solicits, negotiates, explains, or finalizes the terms of a mortgage loan for residential real estate.
Mortgage Servicer
A company that collects monthly mortgage payments, pays taxes, insurance, and other items as they come due, and notifies the borrower of late payments.
Backed Securities
A bundle of mortgage loans that lenders sell to investors who receive a share of the principal and interest collected from borrowers every month.
Mortgagee
A lender who accepts a mortgage as security for the repayment of a loan.
Mortgagee’s Policy
A type of title insurance that the lender may have drawn in its own name to protect its interests in the property. This policy is for the loan amount that’s outstanding at the time a claim would be paid.
Mortgagor
A person who borrows money and gives a mortgage to the lender as security for repayment.
Murphy Exemption
A limited exemption from the federal Fair Housing Act for the rental of a unit or a room in an owner-occupied dwelling with four or fewer units. Provided only when rental advertising is not discriminatory, a real estate licensee is not involved, and there is no discrimination based on race or color.
Multiple Listing
Service (MLS) A cooperative service and database of available listed properties in an area conducted by a group of brokers, usually members of a real estate association.
Mutual Assent
An offer and acceptance which together form the terms of a contract.
National Association of REALTORS® (NAR®)
America’s largest trade association, representing members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries, including brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, and counselors.
National Do Not Call Registry
A database managed by the Federal Trade Commission listing the telephone numbers of consumers who do not want to be contacted by commercial telemarketers.
Natural Ventilation
Air circulation achieved through airflow and vents.
Negative Amortization
The effect when a loan balance grows because of deferred interest when payments are not covering the interest portion of the loan.
Negligence
Conduct that falls below the standard of care that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances; an unintentional breach of a legal duty resulting from carelessness, recklessness, or incompetence.
Negotiable Instrument
A promissory note or other finance instrument that is freely transferrable.
Neighborhood
A contiguous area labeled by similar traits or physical boundaries.