Key Terms Flashcards
Abandonment
Voluntarily relinquishing or surrendering possession of real property, without the transfer of title to someone else.
Abatement
A decrease or reduction in worth or amount (usually applies to taxes or rent).
Able
Refers to financial ability; as in ready, willing, and able buyer.
Abrogation
The rescission, revocation, or annulling of a contract by mutual consent of the parties to the contract, or for cause by either party to the contract.
Absolute Ownership
The greatest interest that one can have in real property. An estate that is unqualified, of indefinite duration, freely transferable and inheritable.
Also known as Fee Simple Estate.
Abstract of Judgment
The summary of a court judgment that creates a lien against a property when filed with the county recorder.
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.
Abutting Property
Property that touches or is contiguous to another property; as opposed to being near to another property.
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
Any means by which a person can enter property
Accession
An addition to property through the efforts of man or by natural forces.
Accretion
Accession by natural forces, e.g., alluvium.
Accrual Method
An accounting method that reports revenue when earned and expenses when incurred.
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.
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.
Acre Foot
The volume of material needed to cover an acre of land one foot deep.
Action
A lawsuit brought to court.
Actual Age
The number of years a structure has been standing.
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.
Actual Notice
Notice in fact or in reality to or by a party directly and personally based on things actually seen, heard, read, or observed.
Adam E. Lee
The eight ways to terminate an easement:
Abandonment, Destruction, Adverse possession, Merger, Express agreement, Lawsuit, Estoppel, and Excessive use.
8 Ways to Terminate an Easement:
- Abandonment
- Adverse Possession
- Destruction
- Lawsuit
- Merger
- Estoppel
- Excessive Use
- Express Agreement
Addendum
An addition or change to a contract.
Adequate Description
The legal description is not necessary, but the description used must be adequate to positively identify the subject property.
Adjustable-Rate Loan
A type of loan whose interest rate is tied to a movable economic index. The amount and timing of interest rate adjustments are agreed upon in the note.
Adjustable Cost Basis
The cost of any improvements the seller makes to the property. Deducting the cost from the original sales price provides the profit or loss of a home when it is sold.
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
A mortgage loan which bears interest at a rate subject to change during the term of the loan, predetermined or otherwise.
Adjusted Sales Price
(a) The estimated sales price of a comparable property after adjustments have been made to compensate for differences between the subject property and the comparable.
(b) The price the comparable property would sell for if it possessed all the characteristics of the subject property.
Administrator / Administratrix
A male/female person appointed by the probate court to administer the estate of a deceased person who died intestate.
Ad Valorem
A Latin phrase meaning “according to value”.
Usually used in connection with real estate taxation
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
Aesthetic Value
Relating to beauty, rather than to functional considerations.
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.
Affirm
To confirm, to aver, to ratify, to verify. To make a declaration.
Affirmation
A substitution for an oath granted to people based on religious reasons.
Affirmative Easement
One that requires the owner of the servient estate to do something to benefit the dominant estate.
Affordable Housing
Housing for individuals or families considered low-income by HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development).
After-Acquired Title
Title accepted by a grantor after his or her previous conveyance.
After-Tax Cash Flow (ATCF)
The cash flow remaining from the net operating income after paying income taxes, debt service, and loan repayments .
After-The-Fact Referral Fee (ATF)
Fee requested after a real estate agent has established a relationship with a buyer or seller.
Age
The chronological lifespan of a person or object. A consideration when determining legal capacity to enter into contracts, also a feature of anti-discrimination housing laws.
Age-Life-Depreciation
An appraisal method of computing accrued depreciation. It assumes a building depreciates at a fixed rate over the course of its life. The depreciation is calculated by dividing the total economic life by its current effective age. Also called the straight-line method.
Age-Life Method
A method of computing accrued depreciation. The cost of a building is depreciated at a fixed annual percentage rate. This is the method most frequently used by residential appraisers; also known as the straight-line method.
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.
Agency by Estoppel
An agency relationship between a broker and a principal created when a principal causes a third party to believe the agency exists by words or actions. If the third party then deals with the supposed agent, the principal is estopped, or prevented, from denying the agency relationship, because of his or her earlier words or deeds.
Agency by Ratification
An agency relationship created then the agent acts as if an agency relationship exists, before an official agreement or contract is expressed. The principal agrees to the relationship after the act is performed, thereby ratifying the act and the agency relationship.
Agent
One who acts for and with authority from another called the principal; a person licensed by the state to conduct real estate transactions.
Agrarian
Relating to land.
Agreement
An exchange of promises, a mutual understanding or arrangement; a contract.
Air Rights
The rights in real property to the reasonable use of the air space above the surface of the land.
Air Space
(1) Above the earth’s surface for an indefinite distance as allowed by government controls and is also included in the definition of Real Estate.
(2) The interior space in an apartment, office, or condominium.
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; a provision that requires the borrower to pay the balance of the loan in a lump sum after the property is sold or transferred.
All-Inclusive Trust Deed (AITD)
A deed of trust securing payment of an obligation owing under a prior deed of trust. See Wrap-Around Mortgage.
AITD
A deed of trust securing payment of an obligation owing under a prior deed of trust. See Wrap-Around Mortgage.
Allocation Method
The allocation of the appraised total value between land and improvements. Allocation made by using a ratio comparing building value to the total price (or value).
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 (American Land Title Association) Title Policy
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.
Amendment
A change to a contract that is not a part of the original contract. An Amendment occurs after the fact.
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; parks, swimming pools, health-club facilities, party rooms, bike paths, community centers and other enticements offered by builders of planned developments.
American Land Title Association (ALTA)
An association of land title companies that promotes the safe and efficient transfer of ownership and interest in real property and provides information to consumers, while maintaining
American Society of Appraisers (ASA)
The oldest professional organization of appraisers. It promotes professional excellence through education, accreditation, publication, and other services. Members include personal property appraisers, business appraisers, and machine and jewelry appraisers in addition to real property appraisers.
ASA
American Society of Appraisers
Americans with Disabilities Act
A law passed in 1990 that outlaws discrimination against a person with a disability in housing, public accommodations, employment, government services, transportation and telecommunications.
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.
Anchor Bolt
A large steel bolt anchored in concrete and attached to a building to prevent the structure from moving.
Annexation
Addition to property or to territory.
Annual Debt Service
The total amount of all mortgage payments required in one year on a loan.
Annual Net Income
The amount of income left from an income-producing property after all expenses have been deducted; also called net operating income.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
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 payment due to the landlord under a lease is an annuity. So are the installment payments due to a lender.
Appliance
Non-industrial equipment such as dishwasher, electric range, air-conditioning, etc.
Appraisal
An estimate of the value of property resulting from an analysis of facts about the property; an opinion of value.
Appraisal Approaches to Value
Any of the following three methods used to estimate the value of real estate: sales comparison approach, cost approach, and income capitalization approach.
Appraised Value
An opinion of the current market value of a property.
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.
Appreciation
An increase in the value of a home or other property.
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.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
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.
APR
Annual Percentage Rate
Aquifer
A subsurface layer or layers of rock or other geological strata of sufficient porosity and permeability to allow either a significant flow of groundwater or the abstraction of significant quantities of groundwater.
Arbitration
A method of resolving a dispute in which a third party renders a decision.
Area
The space or size of a surface defined by a set of boundaries
Arm’s-Length Transaction
A transaction, such as a sale of property, in which all parties involved are acting in their own self-interest and are under no undue influence or pressure from other parties .
Arrears
(a) A payment made at the end of a time period.
(b) A delinquent payment of a debt.
Artesian Well
A well in which the water rises under hydrostatic pressure above the level of the aquifer in which it has been confined by overlying impervious strata.
As-Is Condition
The purchase or sale of a property in its existing condition
Asking Price
A seller’s initial price for a property.
Assemblage
The process of putting several smaller less valuable lots together under one ownership to increase total value.
Assess
The act of determining a property’s value for tax purposes.
Assessed Valuation
A valuation placed upon a piece of property by a public authority as a basis for levying taxes on the property.
Assessor
The official who has the responsibility of determining assessed values
APN
Assessor’s Parcel Number
Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN)
An identifying number assigned to each parcel by the County Tax Assessor’s Office.
Assets
Items of value which include cash, real estate, securities and investments.
Assigns, Assignees
Those to whom property or interests therein shall have been transferred.
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.
Assignor
One who assigns or transfers property
Assumable Mortgage
A mortgage that can be transferred to another borrower.
Assume
A term used in real estate transactions where the buyer may take over, or assume, responsibility for a pre-existing mortgage.
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.
Attractive Nuisance
Any inherently dangerous object or condition that is likely to attract and harm children. A property owner is liable for injuries to a child due to such a hazard. For example, an unfenced swimming pool is an attractive nuisance.
Average Price
The price of a home determined by totaling the sales prices of all houses sold in an area and dividing that number by the number of homes.
Avulsion
A sudden and perceptible loss of land by the action of water as by a sudden change in the course of a river.
Back-End Ratio
The ratio of all fixed debt, including housing expenses, to gross income.
Back Fill
The replacement of excavated earth into a hole or against a structure.
Backup Offer
A secondary bid for a property that the seller will accept if the first offer fails
Balance Sheet
A statement of the financial condition of a business at a certain time showing assets, liabilities, and capital; a statement that shows the assets, liabilities and net worth of an individual.
Balloon Loan
A mortgage in which monthly installments are not large enough to repay the loan by the end of the term. As a result, the final payment due is the lump sum of the remaining principal.
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.
Band of Investment Apprach
Method of estimating interest and capitalization rates, based on a weighted average of the mortgage interest rate (or other cost of borrowed funds) and the rate of return on equity required.
Banker’s Rule
A calendar standard by which proration is calculated. When closing a real estate transaction, most escrow agents use a 360-day year (30 days in each month) to calculate proration.
Bankruptcy
A proceeding in which an insolvent debtor can obtain relief from payment of certain obligations. Bankruptcies remain on a credit record for seven years and can severely limit a person’s ability to borrow.
Bare Title
Title conveyed using a deed of trust, in which the trustee holds title to property without the usual rights of ownership.
Bargain Sale
The sale of a piece of property for less than market value.
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.
Baseboard
Any board or molding found at the bottom of an interior wall.
Baseline
In the Public Land Survey System, the imaginary east-west lines that intersect meridians to form a starting point for measurement of land.
Base Rent
The minimum rent due in a percentage lease agreement. See minimum rent.
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.
Beam
A long thick piece of wood, metal or concrete, used to support weight in a building or other structure.
Bearing Wall
A wall or partition which supports a part of a building, usually a roof or floor above.
BTCF
Before-Tax Cash Flow
Before-Tax Cash Flow (BTCF)
The portion of net operating income after debt service is paid, but before income tax is deducted. Also called equity dividend or pre-tax cash flow.
Before-Tax Income
Total income before taxes is deducted.
Belly-Up
A slang term used to describe a failed business or real estate project, as in the sentence, “The clothing store went belly-up.”
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
(4) The lender who makes a loan, also called a mortgagee. The person borrowing money is the mortgagor.
Beneficiary Statement
Statement of a beneficiary under a deed of trust as to principal balance due on a promissory note and other information concerning the loan.
Bequeath
To give or hand down by will; to leave by will.
Bequest
Personal property given by the terms of a will.
Bid
An offer to purchase property for a certain amount, or the act of submitting an offer to purchase something.
Bidding War
Offers from multiple buyers for a piece of property. Agents also sometimes compete to list a house for sale.
Bilateral Contract
A contract in which the parties involved give mutual promises. Also called “reciprocal” contracts
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.
BiWeekly Mortgage
A mortgage that requires payments every two weeks and helps repay the loan over a shorter term.
Blacktop
Asphalt paving used in streets and driveways.
Blackwater
Water from toilets, kitchen sink, or other dirty sources (e.g. washing machines used for diapers), which may be contaminated with microorganisms or harmful bacteria.
Blanket Mortgage
A single mortgage which covers more than one piece of real property.
Blind Advertising
Advertising that fails to disclose that the party is a licensee acting as an agent.