National Real Estate Sales Review Flashcards
Reduce, decrease. Usually refers to decrease in assessed value of ad valorem tax.
ABATE
A summary in chronological order of the essential provision of every recorded document pertaining to a particular parcel of land, e.g., liens, encumbrances, chain of title, transfers. An abstract of title does not disclose encroachments, forgeries, and the like and does not, therefore, guarantee clear title.
ABSTRACT OF TITLE
A general term including any method of depreciation that is greater than straight-line depreciation.
ACCELERATED DEPRECIATION
A provision of a promissory note or mortgage where, upon the happening of a certain event, e.g., default in payment, the entire amount of the unpaid loan balance becomes due.
ACCELERATION CLAUSE
The addition of soil (known as alluvium) to property by the gradual operation of natural causes (common where properties have frontage on oceans or rivers). This added land becomes the property of the owner on whose land it is deposited.
ACCRETION
A written declaration by a person executing an instrument, given before an officer authorized to give an oath (usually a notary public), stating that the execution is of his own volition, e.g., grantor of a deed.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
A measure of land which is 43,560 square feet.
ACRE
Things you know because of your own senses: eyes, ears, etc. You have actually seen someone living on the property.
If you are buying the property, you need to find out why the occupants are living there.
ACTUAL NOTICE
A type of financing available for real estate mortgages on property through which the Annual Percentage Rate charged will differ from year to year according to terms specified by the lender and authorized by the Federal Reserve banking system.
ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE (ARM)
A tax to be paid based upon a value set by the authorities, e.g., real property tax.
AD VALOREM TAX
The open, notorious, hostile, and uninterrupted possession of the property of another under a claim or color of title of 21 years after which time the adverse possessor may obtain title to the property.
ADVERSE POSSESSION
A sworn statement that title is good.
AFFIDAVIT OF TITLE
A relationship between one person (principal) and another (agent) where the agent is given the right to act on behalf of the principal in business dealings.
AGENCY
The disclosure of the relationship in which one party (agent) acts for or represents another (principal) under the authority of the latter.
AGENCY DISCLOSURE
One who acts, or has the power to act, for another.
AGENT
An English term referring to transfer of property from one person to another.
ALIENATION
A clause used in a mortgage allowing the lender to call for the full payment of the mortgage (foreclosure) because the owner transferred ownership of the property. This is a type of acceleration clause because it accelerates the time when the entire loan amount is due. Very often referred to as a “Due-on-Sale” clause.
ALIENATION CLAUSE
Features, both tangible and intangible, that enhance the desirability of real estate. For example, a marble fireplace, desirable location, soaking tub, historicity of the location, preferred floor plan, or anything with sentimental value to the buyer may be considered an amenity.
AMENITIES
Payment of debt in regular, periodic installments of principal and interest (as opposed to interest-only payments).
AMORTIZATION
A loan that is paid back in regular installment amounts of principal and interest over a specified period of time.
AMORTIZED LOAN
Net income is income from a property after operating expenses have been deducted, but before taxes and debt service are counted.
Net Income = Gross Income - Operating Expenses. This is a capitalization method that derives a value indication by using annual net income.
ANNUAL NET OPERATING INCOME (NOI)
Gross Income - Operating Expenses. This is a capitalization method that derives a value indication by using annual net income.
Net Income
A defensible opinion or estimate of value of real property as of a certain date.
APPRAISAL
An increase in the value of property due either to a positive improvement in the area or the elimination of negative factors. Commonly, and incorrectly, used to describe an increase in value through inflation.
APPRECIATION
“Runs with the land.” Something that belongs to property and passes with it, but need not be attached to it, e.g., outbuildings, easements.
APPURTENANCE
The method by which disputes between REALTOR’ brokers may be resolved. Disputes are heard by the Arbitration Committee of the local Board of REALTORS’, e.g., a commission dispute.
ARBITRATION
The value of real property fixed for purposes of computing taxes. Assessed value x tax rate = real estate tax.
ASSESSED VALUATION
A valuation placed upon real property as a basis to set the amount of tax to be levied. Also, the levy or rate to be paid to the government for services provided or constructed by it, e.g., curbs, sewers, sidewalks.
ASSESSMENT
Transfer of any property, real or personal, or any rights therein to another. In real estate, it does not release the transferor from the obligations stated in the contract.
ASSIGNMENT
An obligation and promise to be personally liable for conditions in a contract.
ASSUMPTION
An agreement by a buyer to assume the liability under an existing note secured by a mortgage. The lender usually must approve the new debtor (the buyer) in order to release the existing debtor (usually the seller) from liability.
ASSUMPTION OF MORTGAGE
The seizing of property by court order usually, to furnish security for a debt or judgment.
ATTACHMENT
A person specifically designated in an instrument, e.g., power of attorney, to do something legally for another in his stead. An attorney-in-fact has a fiduciary relationship with his principal. An attorney-in- fact need not be an attorney-at-law.
ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
A
partly amortized note where part of the principal is reduced by the time the final payment is due. Thus, a lump sum payment of the principal is due at the end of the loan. Very often called “A partially amortized mortgage.”
BALLOON PAYMENT (BALLOON NOTE)
Bilateral or reciprocal contracts are those by which the parties expressly enter into mutual engagements, e.g., real estate sales contract. Each party promises to perform some act.
BILATERAL (OR RECIPROCAL) CONTRACT
An instrument in writing that transfers ownership of tangible personal property, e.g., furniture.
BILL OF SALE
A single mortgage loan where two or more different parcels of property are offered as security for the loan.
BLANKET MORTGAGE
An illegal act whereby owners are encouraged to sell their properties because minorities are moving into their neighborhood. (Also known as “panic selling” or “panic peddling”)
BLOCKBUSTING
The bringing together of persons desiring to make transactions in real estate.
BROKERAGE
A parcel of land that separates two other parcels, e.g., a parcel between a residential and a commercial strip of land.
BUFFER ZONE
Legal rights conferred to owners of real property, including rights to mortgage, sell, make improvements, enjoyment, lease, and use property.
BUNDLE OF RIGHTS
Government regulations specifying minimum construction and building standards to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Building codes are a valid exercise of the government’s Police power and can restrict an owner’s use and enjoyment of his property.
BUILDING CODES
A method of determining the present value of income property by discounting the annual net income by a commonly used rate of return.
CAPITALIZATION
INCOME / RATE
VALUE (IRV)
The percentage (acceptable to an average buyer) used to determine the value of income property through capitalization.
CAPITALIZATION RATE
In investment property, the actual cash the investor will receive after deduction of operating expenses and debt service (loan payments) from the gross income.
CASH FLOW
Latin, “let the buyer beware.” The buyer must examine the goods or property and buy at his or her own risk.
CAVEAT EMPTOR
A legal instrument used by a mortgagee to stop the mortgage on a certain date where the mortgagor agrees that the mortgage balance is correct, after which date the mortgagee has no defense.
CERTIFICATE OF NO DEFENSE
A certificate issued to a buyer at a judicial sale (foreclosure action) that entitles the buyer to a deed upon confirmation of the sale by the court if the land is not redeemed during the redemption period.
CERTIFICATE OF SALE
Also known in some states as an “opinion letter” by a lawyer who has examined an abstract, giving an opinion stating that title is vested in a particular individual.
CERTIFICATE OF TITLE
Successive conveyances affecting a particular parcel of land, arranged consecutively, from the government or original source of title down to the present holder.
CHAIN OF TITLE