Property Tax Terms

Question 1

Ad valorem tax

Answer 1

In reference to property, a tax based upon the value of the property.

Question 2

Annual Assessment Report (AAR)

Answer 2

A USPAP required report completed by the assessor for their client, the municipality, which explains how the assessor completed their assessment work for the year. This report must be completed within 30 days after the finaladjournment of the Board of Review.

Question 3

Apportionment

Answer 3

A proportional distribution of the levy of a taxing jurisdiction amongmunicipalities based upon the value of the municipalities or parts of municipalities.

Question 4

Assessed Value

Answer 4

A dollar amount assigned to the taxable property, both real (by parcel)and personal (by owner), by the assessor for the purpose of taxation. Assessed value isestimated as of January 1 and will apply to the taxes levied at the end of that year.Assessed value is called a primary assessment because a levy is applied directly against itto determine the tax due. Accurate assessed values ensure fairness between propertieswithin the taxing jurisdiction. (See Equalized value for fairness between municipalities).

Question 5

Assessment district

Answer 5

An assessor’s jurisdiction; it may or may not be an entire tax district. Any subdivision of territory whether whole or part of a municipality where aseparate assessment of taxable property is made. Such districts may be referred to astaxing districts, administrative districts, or special purpose districts. (See sec. 70.08, Wis. Stats.)

Question 6

Assessment District

Answer 6

Any subdivision of territory whether whole or in part of a municipality in which a separate assessment of taxable property is made. Such districtsmay be referred to as taxation jurisdictions, administrative districts, special purpose districts. etc. (See sec. 70.08 Wis. Stats.)

Question 7

Assessment Level

Answer 7

The relationship between the total assessed value and the equalizedvalue of non-manufacturing property minus corrections for the prior year over and under charges within a municipality-town, village, or city. For example if the assessed value of all the property subject to property tax in the municipality is $2,700,000 and the equalizedvalue in the municipality is $3,000,000 then the “assessment level” is said to be 90% ($2,700,000/$3,000,000 = .90 or 90%).

Question 8

Assessment level

Answer 8

The ratio of the assessed value to the market value of all taxable property within a district (town, village, or city). For example if the assessed value of all thetaxable property in Town “A” is $2,700,000 and the market value of all taxable property inTown “A” is $3,000,000 then the “assessment level” is said to be 90%.

Question 9

Assessment Ratio

Answer 9

The relationship between the assessed value and the fair marketvalue For example, if the assessment of a parcel which sold for $150,000 (fair market value)was $140,000, the assessment ratio is said to be 93% (140,000 divided by 150,000). Thedifference in the assessment level and the assessment ratio is that the level typically refers to the taxation district; the ratio refers to the individual parcel. The assessment ratio doesnot apply to agricultural lands, agricultural forest, or undeveloped lands.

Question 10

Assessing

Answer 10

The act of valuing a property for the purpose of establishing a tax base.

Question 11

Assessment

Answer 11

See Assessed value.

Question 12

Assessment roll

Answer 12

The official listing of all properties within a given municipality (Town,Village, City) by ownership, description, and location showing the corresponding assessedvalues for each. The completed assessment roll is an official listing which contains owners and legaldescriptions of all real estate parcels and items of personal property within a taxationdistrict, acreages of most parcels, the statutory classification and assessed value, accordingto land and improvements, of general taxable parcels.

Question 13

Assessment year

Answer 13

The period of time during which the assessment of all propertieswithin a given assessment district must be completed; the period between tax lien dates.

Question 14

Assessor

Answer 14

The administrator charged with the assessment of property for ad valoremtaxes; the precise duties differ from state to state depending upon state statutes.

Question 15

Board of Review

Answer 15

A quasi-judicial board charged with the responsibility of raising orlowering assessments proven incorrect as well as correcting any errors in the assessmentroll. The Board of Review consists of a clerk and selected municipal officers (other than theassessor) or citizens. It hears all objections to the amount or valuation of property ifobjections are made in writing and filed with its clerk prior to adjournment of publichearings. The Board examines the assessment roll or rolls and corrects all apparent errorsin description or computation, adds all omitted property to the assessment roll and determines whether an assessor’s valuation is correct from evidence brought before it. The Board cannot determine exempt or taxable status of property.

Question 16

CDU rating

Answer 16

A composite rating of the overall Condition, Desirability and Usefulness of astructure as developed by the Cole-Layer-Trumble Company and it is used nationally as asimple, direct and uniform method of estimating accrued depreciation.

Question 17

Certified Assessment Evaluator

Answer 17

A professional designation (CAE) conferred by theInternational Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) upon qualifying individuals.

Question 18

Certified property tax

Answer 18

An ad valorem property tax where the assessment ratio variesfor different property classes. This differs from state to state depending upon state statutes.

Question 19

Doomage assessment

Answer 19

The process of arriving at an assessment from the best information available when the assessor is denied the opportunity to physically inspect aproperty; making an assessment without actually viewing the property or receiving and/oraccepting the taxpayer’s declaration of personal property.

Question 20

Electronic Computer Exemption Report

Answer 20

The Electronic Computer Exemption Report was previously known as the Computer Exemption Report. The Computer ExemptionReport is an electronically filed report filed by the assessor with the Department of Revenue by May 1st. Amended filings can be submitted through September 1st. This report provides the value of all exempt computer and peripheral equipment, as its true cash value.

Question 21

Equalized Value

Answer 21

The estimated value of all taxable real and personal property in eachtaxation district, by class, as of January 1 and certified by DOR on August 15 of each year.The value represents market value (most probable selling price), except for agriculturalproperty, which is based on its use (ability to generate agricultural income) and agriculturalforest and undeveloped lands, which are based on 50% of their full value.

Question 22

Equalization

Answer 22

The process of establishing the January 1 market value (or use value foragricultural land) by class of real property and item of personal property for each taxationdistrict.

Question 23

Equated Value

Answer 23

The dollar amount placed on individual parcels of manufacturingproperty in a taxation district for tax collection purposes. It is calculated by multiplying themarket value assessment of the property as determined by DOR times the assessment levelof all other property within the taxation district.

Question 24

Equity

Answer 24

In reference to property taxes, a condition in which the tax load is distributedfairly (or equitably), based on the concept of uniformity provided in the state constitution (i.e. each person’s share of the tax is based on each property’s value compared to the total value of all taxable property). Typically, this would require periodic reviews of the assessments (local revaluations) to account for the constantly changing economic factorsimpacting property. In practical terms, you have equity in taxes when the assessed value ofeach property bears the same relationship to market or use value. In reference to value, it is the owner’s financial interest in the property remaining afterdeducting all liens (including mortgages) and charges against it.

Question 25

Estimated Fair Market Value-As found on tax bills

Answer 25

The assessed value of each locally assessed parcel (except those including agricultural land) divided by the entiretaxation district’s level of assessment (titled average assessment ratio on the tax bill). Thisestimate gives the property owner a basis for comparison of their perception of the marketvs. what is being used to base their share of taxes on. Since the level of assessment is anaverage for the taxation district, and there is naturally going to be some variance in thelocal assessor’s accuracy on every parcel. Minor differences between the estimated fair market value and the property owner’s opinion of value shouldn’t raise concern. Large differences require further investigation.

Question 26

Exempt property

Answer 26

See tax exemption.

Question 27

Expert help

Answer 27

Is employed when the governing body of a municipality not subject toassessment by a county assessor determines it is in the public interest to appoint such help to aid in making the assessments in order that they may be equitably made and in compliance with the law. The expert help may be a private firm or person, or an employeeof the Department of Revenue.

Question 28

Field crew

Answer 28

The total staff assigned to a specific appraisal project, including datacollectors, reviewers, staff appraisers, clerical and administrative supporting personnel.

Question 29

Forest cropland

Answer 29

Land taxes at a set amount per acre, must contain at least 40 or moreacres, is more suitable for the growing of timber than for other purposes, assessed by thelocal assessor, subject to review under Chapter 70 and is open to the public for hunting andfishing.

Question 30

Fractional assessment

Answer 30

When the assessment is made at some percentage of the fullvalue as determined by policy by the government.

Question 31

Full Value

Answer 31

(1) Throughout this manual this term means the value at 100% of the valuestandard. This is the value that should be applied in assessing the property per Wisconsinstatutes, see pages 7-6 and 7-7. (2) The same as equalized value, however is often usedwhen referring to the value of school and special districts.

Question 32

General property tax

Answer 32

The following elements must be present: (1) a dollar amount oflevy; (2) total assessed values of individual properties (parcels of real property/personalproperty items); and (3) uniform rate of taxation within the same common area is to be applied to all taxable real and personal property within that area.

Question 33

Improvement

Answer 33

An addition to raw land intended to increase the value. Examples includebuildings, structures, and attachments or annexations to land that are intended to remainso attached or annexed, such as sidewalks, trees, drives, tunnels, drains, and sewers.

Question 34

Inequity

Answer 34

See equity.

Question 35

Land value maps

Answer 35

A map used in conjunction with mass appraising, generally drawn tosmall scale and showing comparative unit land values, on a block to block basis.

Question 36

Level of Assessment

Answer 36

See Assessment Level

Question 37

Levy

Answer 37

The amount of tax imposed by a taxation jurisdiction or government unit.

Question 38

Lien

Answer 38

A charge against property whereby the property is made the security for the payment of a debt.

Question 39

Market value

Answer 39

The definition of market value is the most probable price which a propertyshould bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale,the buyer and seller each acting prudently and knowledgeably, and assuming the price isnot affected by undue stimulus. Implicit in this definition is the consummation of a sale asof a specified date and the passing of title from seller to buyer under conditions whereby: 1) Buyer and seller are typically motivated; 2) Both parties are well informed or well advised, and acting in what they consider their own best interests; 3) A reasonable time is allowed for exposure in the open market; 4) Payment is made in terms of cash in U.S. dollars or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto; and 5) The price represents the normal consideration for the property sold unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale.

Question 40

Mass appraisal

Answer 40

The process of valuing a universe of properties, as of a specified date,utilizing standard methodology, using common data and allowing for statistical testing.

Question 41

Mass appraisal model

Answer 41

A mathematical formula or equation reflecting how supply anddemand factors interact on a market level.

Question 42

Mill rate

Answer 42

A mill is one-thousandth of one dollar. Tax rates are often expressed in millsper dollar. Example: Tax = $3,000 Taxable assessed value = $100,000 Mill rate = 3,000/100,000 = 0.03 of a dollar per dollar of taxable assessed value

Question 43

Municipal Assessment Report

Answer 43

The Municipal Assessment Report was previously known as the Assessor’s Final Report (AFR). The Municipal Assessment Report is anelectronic report filed by the assessor with the Department of Revenue. It can be filed as an“Estimate” (before the Board of Review), as a “Final” (after the Board of Review), or as an“Amended” report to make changes to a previously filed “Final” version. This electronic report provides changes in assessed values and reasons for the changes between the prioryear’s assessed values and the current year’s assessed values of the entire taxation district.An estimated or final version of this report must be filed by the second Monday of June.

Question 44

Notice of Changed Assessment

Answer 44

A written notification to a property owner of theassessed value of certain properties described therein; mandated by law to be given to eachproperty owner following a change in value of the property.

Question 45

Over assessed

Answer 45

A condition wherein a property is assessed proportionately higher thancomparable properties.

Question 46

Parcel identification number (PIN)

Answer 46

An identification number, assigned to a parcel of land to uniquely identify that parcel from any other parcel within a given taxing jurisdiction.

Question 47

Preferential assessment

Answer 47

An assessing system providing preferential treatment in theform of reduced rates to a particular class of property, such as a system providing for farmproperties to be assessed in accordance to their value in use as opposed to their value in theopen market.

Question 48

Property class

Answer 48

A division of like properties generally defined by statutes and generallybased upon their present use. The basis for establishing assessment ratios in a classified property assessment system.

Question 49

Property record card

Answer 49

A document specially designated to record and process specifiedproperty data; may serve as a source document, a processing form; and/or a permanentproperty record.

Question 50

Real Estate Transfer Return

Answer 50

The form required to be filed with the register of deeds bythe grantor when recording real estate which has been conveyed to a different entity. Theform’s primary use is for the assessor to use in implementing the uniformity provisionArticle VIII of the State Constitution. Among other things, the form documents the property transferred, the grantor, grantee and the value placed on the property.

Question 51

Reassessment

Answer 51

The revaluation of all properties within a given jurisdiction for the purpose of establishing a new tax base. When a written complaint is made to the Department of Revenue by the owners of 5% ormore of the assessed valuation of the property within a municipality stating that theassessment of property in the municipality is not in substantial compliance with the lawand that the interest of the public would be promoted by a reassessment, the departmentcan order such actual doing over of the assessment roll (reassessment) of all or part of the taxable property in municipality.

Question 52

Revaluation

Answer 52

Placing new values on all taxable property for the purpose of a new assessment. The previous year’s assessment roll is not affected. The term is often used in conjunction with sec. 70.055, Wis. Stats., where expert help can be hired to work with theassessor in revaluing the district.

Question 53

Sales ratio study

Answer 53

A statistical analysis of the distribution of assessment or appraisal-to­sale ratios of a sample of recent sales made for the purpose of drawing inferences regardingthe entire population of parcels from which the sample was abstracted.

Question 54

Tax bill

Answer 54

An itemized statement showing the amount of taxes owed for certain propertydescribed therein and forwardable to the party or parties legally liable for payment thereof.

Question 55

Tax exemption

Answer 55

Either total or partial freedom from taxation granted by specific state statute.

Question 56

Tax Increment District Assessment Report

Answer 56

The TID Assessment Report was previously known as Tax Incremental Assessor’s Final Report (TID AFR). The TID Assessment Report is an electronically filed report filed by the assessor with the Department of Revenue. Like the Municipal Assessment Report, the TID AssessmentReport can be filed as an “Estimate” (before Board of Review), as a “Final” (after Board ofReview), or as an “Amended” report. Amended reports make changes to a previously filed“Final” version. This electronic report provides the total assessed value of all locallyassessed property in each Tax Increment District, by School District, Union High District (ifany), and Special District. An estimated or final version of this report must be filed by the second Monday of June.

Question 57

Tax Incremental Financing District

Answer 57

A contiguous geographic area, within a city orvillage defined and created by resolution of the local legislative body. It is targeted towardeliminating blighted areas, rehabilitating areas declining in value, and/or promotingindustrial development. The taxes generated due to value increase are used to pay for TIFeligible projects such as public improvements.

Question 58

Tax levy

Answer 58

In reference to property taxes, the total revenue realized by the tax.

Question 59

Tax mapping

Answer 59

The creation of accurate representations of property boundary lines atappropriate scales to provide a graphic inventory of parcels for use in accounting,appraising and assessing. Such maps show dimensions and the relative size and location ofeach tract with respect to other tracts. Also known as assessment maps and cadastral maps.

Question 60

Tax rate

Answer 60

The rate generally expressed in dollars per hundred or dollars per thousand(mills) applied against the tax base (assessed value) to compute the amount of taxes. The tax rate is derived by dividing the total amount of the tax levy by the total assessed value ofthe taxing district.

Question 61

Tax roll

Answer 61

The official list showing the amount of taxes, special assessments, and chargeslevied against each parcel and item of personal property in the municipality.

Question 62

Tax sale

Answer 62

The sale of a taxpayer’s property to collect delinquent taxes from the proceeds ofthe sale when the taxpayer has failed to redeem it within the statutory period.

Question 63

Taxation

Answer 63

The right of government to tax property to support the government.

Question 64

Taxation District

Answer 64

A town, village, or city. If a city or village lies in more than onecounty, that portion of the city or village which lies in each county. (See sec. 74.01(6), Wis.Stats.).

Question 65

Taxation Jurisdiction

Answer 65

An entity which is authorized by law to levy taxes on generalproperty which is located within its boundaries. (See sec. 74.01(7), Wis. Stats.). In additionto towns, villages and cities, this includes school districts, sewerage districts and lakerehabilitation districts, for example.

Question 66

True Cash Value

Answer 66

The statutory reference to the market value of personal property (sec. 70.34, Wis. Stats).

Question 67

Uniformity

Answer 67

The constitutional requirement that the taxable property must bear itsproportionate share of ad valorem basis taxes. As applied to assessing, a condition whereinall properties are assessed at the same ratio to market value, or other standard of valuedepending upon the particular assessing practices. Following a 1974 amendment to theconstitution, agricultural land may be non-uniform with other property, but must be uniform within its class. The standard for value for agricultural property is its value in use.

Question 68

Use Value

Answer 68

The value a specific property has for a specific use. Beginning in 2000,agricultural property is assessed according to its use as farmland instead of its marketvalue as indicated by sales. The guideline values are based on 5-year average income andexpense data modified by the tax rate in each taxation district in the state.

Question 69

Use Value Assessment

Answer 69

An assessment based on the value of the property as it iscurrently used, not its market value. This only applies to agricultural land. The guidelinesfor the use values are based on administrative rules, and developed by DOR staff serving assupport for the Farmland Advisory Council who adopts the values.

Question 70

Value Standard

Answer 70

The basis for the methods used in estimating values for the equalized orassessed values. There are two basic values used in the process, the market value (‘full value’ for real property and ‘true cash value’ for personal property), which is the basis forvalue of all property except agricultural land. The market value is based on the most probable selling price of the property. Agricultural land, as defined by administrative rule,is based on a valuation standard which analyzes the ability to generate income as it iscurrently being used, hence ‘use value’.

Question 71

Woodland tax lands

Answer 71

Land taxes at a set amount per acre, containing at least 10 acresbut less than the acreage required for forest croplands, located outside villages and cities,void of an improvement having assessed value in itself and more suitable for the growing oftimber than for other purposes.

Question 73

Aggregate ratio

Answer 73

As applied to real estate, the ratio of the total assessed value to thetotal selling price.

Question 74

Average deviation

Answer 74

In a distribution of values, the average amount of deviation of all thevalues from the mean value equal to the total amount of deviation from the mean dividedby the number of deviations.

Question 75

Coefficient

Answer 75

A value prefixed as a multiplier to a variable or an unknown quantity.

Question 76

Coefficient of dispersion

Answer 76

As applied to an assessment-to-sale ratio distribution, a measure of dispersion in a given distribution equal to the average deviation of the ratiosfrom the mean or median ratio divided by the mean or median ratio.

Question 77

Frequency distribution

Answer 77

A display of the frequency where each value in a given distribution occurs; or in a grouped frequency distribution, a display of the frequency of the values within various intervals, or value groupings occur.

Question 78

Mean

Answer 78

A measure of central tendency equal to the sum of the values divided by the number. Also referred to as arithmetic average or arithmetic mean.

Question 79

Median

Answer 79

A measure of central tendency equal to that point in a distribution above which50% of the values fall and below which 50% of the values fall. The 50th percentile is the 2ndquartile.

Question 80

Mode

Answer 80

A measure of central tendency equal to the value occurring most frequently in agiven distribution. In a grouped frequency distribution, the mode is equal to the midpoint ofthe interval with the greatest frequency.

Question 81

Multiple Regression analysis

Answer 81

A statistical technique for making statements as to thedegree of linear association between a criterion (dependent) variable and one or more predicator (independent) variables; a simple linear regression having one independentvariable, and multiple linear regression having more than one independent variable.

Question 82

Normal distribution

Answer 82

A distribution in which all the values are distributed symmetrically about the mean value, with 68.26% of the values falling between +1 standard deviation, 95.44% between +2 standard deviations, and 99.74% between +3 standard deviations.

Question 83

Percentile rank

Answer 83

The relative position of a value in a distribution of values expressed inpercentage terms; for instance, as applied to an assessment-to-sale ratio distribution, aratio with a percentile rank of 83 would indicate 83% of the ratios were lower and 17% ofthe ratios were higher than that particular ratio.

Question 84

Population

Answer 84

As applied to real estate, all the parcels of a given type in the group understudy, i.e., all the parcels of a given neighborhood, district, etc.

Question 85

Precision

Answer 85

As applied to real estate, it refers to the closeness of estimated value to actualselling price on an aggregate basis.

Question 86

Price related differential

Answer 86

As applied to real estate, an analytical measure of thevertical uniformity of values in a given distribution calculated by dividing the mean ratio bythe aggregate ratio; a ratio of more than one being generally indicative of the relativeundervaluation of high priced properties as compared to the less valuable properties,whereas a ratio of less than 1 would indicate the converse relationship.

Question 87

Quartile

Answer 87

Positions in a distribution at 25 percentile intervals; the first quartile being equal to the 25th percentile, the second quartile being equal to the 50th percentile or the median, and the third quartile being equal to the 75th percentile.

Question 88

Range

Answer 88

The difference between the highest and lowest value in a distribution.

Question 89

Ratio

Answer 89

A fixed relationship between two similar things expressed in terms of the numberof times the first contains the second; the quotient of one quantity divided by anotherquantity of the same type, generally expressed as a fraction.

Question 90

Sample

Answer 90

As applied to real estate, a set of parcels taken from a given universe which isused to make inferences about values for the universe.

Question 91

Random sample

Answer 91

A sample where each parcel in the universe is given equal chance of being included.

Question 92

Selective sample

Answer 92

A sample where each parcel in the universe being chosen by othercriteria, is not given an equal chance of being included. Essentially all assessment-to-sale ratio studies are non-probability samples.

Question 93

Sample size

Answer 93

As applied to real estate, the number of parcels needed from a universe toachieve a desired level of precision, given the total number of parcels in the universe andthe standard deviation thereof.

Question 94

Standard deviation

Answer 94

A measure of dispersion, variability or scatter of values in a givendistribution equal to the square root of the arithmetic mean of the squares of deviationsfrom the mean.

Question 95

Standard error of the mean

Answer 95

A measure of the statistical variability of the mean equalto the standard deviation of the distribution divided by the square root of the sample size.

Question 96

Stratified sampling

Answer 96

The selection of sample parcels from distinct groups within thetotal universe based upon the known sizes and characteristics of these distinct groups.

Question 98

Absorption field

Answer 98

A drainage system consisting of a series of pipes laid in trenches filledwith sand, gravel or crushed stone, through which septic tank effluent may seep or leachinto the surrounding ground.

Question 99

Acoustical tile

Answer 99

A ceiling or wall tile finishing material with an inherent property toabsorb sound; usually made of mineral, fiber, or insulated metal materials.

Question 100

Addition

Answer 100

Part of building added or joined to an existing building. Living areas built ontoresidence after original construction; single wall in common with residence, usually onlyone door connects the two.

Question 101

Aggregate

Answer 101

Any of various hard, inert materials, like sand, gravel, or pebbles added to acementing or bonding agent to make concrete, plaster, etc.

Question 102

Anchor bolt

Answer 102

Long bolts cemented into the top of a foundation wall, and to which the sillof the structure is bolted.

Question 103

Apartment hotel

Answer 103

A building designed for non-transient residential use divided intodwelling units similar to an apartment house, but having such hotel accommodations asroom furnishings, lounges, public dining room, maid service, etc.

Question 104

Apartment house

Answer 104

A multi-family residence containing three or more non-transient residential living units and generally providing a number of common facilities and services.

Question 105

Apron

Answer 105

A finish strip applied below the stool of a window to cover the rough plaster ordrywall edge. A paved or hard packed area abutting a garage door or other opening.

Question 106

Arcade

Answer 106

A series of arches and their supports, which provides covered passage between buildings. A roofed walkway or passageway, frequently with shops on both sides.

Question 107

Arch

Answer 107

A curved structural member used to span an opening, so designed that vertical loads are transmitted as vertical or oblique stresses on either side of the opening.

Question 108

Areaway

Answer 108

An uncovered space next to a building, for entrance of light, air or access.

Question 109

Asbestos cement

Answer 109

A mixture of asbestos fibers, Portland cement, and water which can be formed into building products with high fire and weather resistance.

Question 110

Ashlar

Answer 110

A wall facing of masonry slabs (stone, terra cotta) applied over the bearing masonry of exterior walls.

Question 111

Asphalt

Answer 111

Bitumen mixed with mineral aggregates used as a hard surface for driveways, streets, etc.

Question 112

Asphalt flooring

Answer 112

Consists of limestone dust and coarse aggregate incorporated with either asphaltic bitumen or equal proportions of asphaltic bitumen and asphalt.

Question 113

Attic

Answer 113

An unfinished or semi-finished portion of a building lying between the highest finished story and the roof and wholly within the roof framing.

Question 114

Awning

Answer 114

A roof-like shelter extending over a doorway window, porch, etc., which provides protection from the sun or rain.

Question 115

Backfill

Answer 115

The material used for refilling an excavation.

Question 116

Backing

Answer 116

Rough inner face of a wall; earth deposited behind retaining wall.

Question 117

Backup

Answer 117

The inner, load bearing or structural portion of a masonry wall, usually finished with face brick, stone, ashlar, stucco or other decorative or protective veneer.

Question 118

Balcony

Answer 118

A balustraded or railed elevated platform projecting from the wall or a building ,usually cantilevered or supported by columns.

Question 119

Balusters (bannisters)

Answer 119

A short pillar or post, usually circular, slender above and building below, supporting a rail; the uprights supporting the handrail of a staircase.

Question 120

Balustrade

Answer 120

A row of balusters surmounted by a rail, coping or cornice.

Question 121

Base molding

Answer 121

Finishing wood to cover construction joints between baseboard and floor.

Question 122

Basement

Answer 122

A building story which is wholly or partly below grade level.

Question 123

Batten

Answer 123

Narrow strips of wood or other material used to finish and cover the vertical joints where two boards meet.

Question 124

Batter board

Answer 124

One of a pair of horizontal boards nailed to posts set at the corners of anexcavation, used to indicate the desired level of the foundation, also as a fastening forstretched strings to indicate outlines of foundation walls.

Question 125

Bay

Answer 125

(1) a horizontal area division of a building usually defined as the space betweencolumns or division walls; (2) an internal recess formed by causing a wall to project beyondits general line.

Question 126

Bay window

Answer 126

A window, or group of continuous windows projecting from the main wall ofa building. A bay window has its own foundation.

Question 127

Beam

Answer 127

(1) a long structural load-bearing member which is placed horizontally or nearly soand which is supported by both ends, infrequently, at intervals along its length; (2) a principal load supporting member of a building; may be of wood, steel, or concrete; transmits load horizontally to vertical posts, columns, or bearing walls.

Question 128

Beam, spandrel

Answer 128

A wall beam supporting the wall above, as well as the floor.

Question 129

Bearing area

Answer 129

The area of contact between a bearing member (beam, girder, footing) andits underlying support (column bearing wall, load bearing ground).

Question 130

Bed

Answer 130

Horizontal surface on which structural members or slabs are laid or supported.

Question 131

Bent

Answer 131

A transverse frame of a building designed to support either horizontal or verticalloads.

Question 132

Beveled wood siding

Answer 132

Siding board of varying widths, with lower edge thicker thanupper edge is covered by lower edge of board above. Types include Dolly Varden, andshiplap.

Question 133

Board foot

Answer 133

A unit of measure represented by a board one foot long, one foot wide, andone inch thick, or 144 cubic inches.

Question 134

Boiler

Answer 134

Metal vessel for heating water for generating steam.

Question 135

Bolster

Answer 135

A horizontal timber on a post for lessening the free span of a beam.

Question 136

Bond

Answer 136

The arrangement of individual masonry units in certain overlapping patterns togive the finished structural unit additional strength and to allow the individual elements toact together as a cohesive, integrated unit.

Question 137

Brace

Answer 137

A structural member reinforcing a frame or truss.

Question 138

Bridging

Answer 138

A method of bracing floor joists by fixing lateral members between the joists.

Question 139

Building

Answer 139

Any structure partially or wholly above ground designed to shelter people,animals or goods.

Question 140

Building, fireproof

Answer 140

A building in which all parts carrying loads or resisting stresses(frame) and all exterior and interior wall, floors, and staircases are made of incombustiblematerials and in which all metallic structural members are encased in materials which remain rigid at the highest possible temperature in case its contents are burned, or whichprovide ample insulation from such a temperature.

Question 141

Building, paper

Answer 141

Tarred felt paper sheathing for walls and roofs, to stop drafts andinsulate against dampness.

Question 142

Building service systems

Answer 142

Those units or systems providing plumbing, sewerage,heating, ventilating, air conditioning, lighting, power, vertical transport, fire protection andspecial services such as public address or oxygen to a building.

Question 143

Building, single-purpose

Answer 143

A building designed for a specific purpose that cannot be usedfor another purpose without substantial alterations, e.g., a theater or church.

Question 144

Built-ins

Answer 144

Items like cabinets, counters, desks, benches, shelving and equipmentpermanently attached to the building structure that cannot be removed without leavingevidence of removal. These items are not considered personal property.

Question 145

Built-up roofing

Answer 145

Two or more layers of tarred felt, joined with bonding or sealing compound.

Question 146

Bulkhead

Answer 146

A retaining structure of timber, steel, or reinforced concrete erected along thewater for shore protection. Solid fill is usually placed behind it to extend the shore to thebulkhead line.

Question 147

Bungalow

Answer 147

One-story dwelling unit somewhat more pretentious than a cottage.

Question 148

Buttress

Answer 148

An external structure, usually brick or stone, built against a wall to support orreinforce it.

Question 149

Caisson foundation

Answer 149

A foundation system where holes are drilled in the earth to bearingstrata and then filled with concrete.

Question 150

Chamfer

Answer 150

To bevel or round off a right angle corner.

Question 151

Canopy

Answer 151

An ornamental roof-like covering supported by posts or suspended from a wall.

Question 152

Cant strip

Answer 152

A wedge or triangular-shaped piece, generally installed on flat roofs aroundperimeter or at the junction of that roof and an adjoining wall.

Question 153

Cantilever

Answer 153

A structural member projecting horizontally well beyond its vertical support.

Question 154

Cap

Answer 154

The capital or uppermost part of a column or post; its function is to transmit supported loads to the column.

Question 155

Casement window

Answer 155

A type of window having a sash with hinges on one side, allowing window to open vertically like a door.

Question 156

Catch basin

Answer 156

A chamber designed in a drainage system to intercept solids and prevent their entrance into the system.

Question 157

Causeway

Answer 157

A raised or paved way (road).

Question 158

Cavity wall

Answer 158

A masonry or concrete wall consisting of two wythes with air space between them; the inner and outer wythes are tied together with metal ties.

Question 159

Cellular concrete

Answer 159

Cement based concrete, mixed with fine sand and large amounts of air pockets no aggregate. Lightweight.

Question 160

Chimney cap

Answer 160

A large stone or formed concrete which finishes the top of a chimney.

Question 161

Chimney pots

Answer 161

Cylindrical earthenware pots at the top of the chimney shaft.

Question 162

Clapboard

Answer 162

Siding board of varying widths, with lower edge thicker than upper edge that is covered by lower edge of board above.

Question 163

Cleat

Answer 163

A strip fastened across something to give strength or hold in position.

Question 164

Clerestory window

Answer 164

A window or series of windows in a wall above the primary roofline; designed to provide additional lighting and ventilation for the central part of the building.

Question 165

Cofferdam

Answer 165

A temporary box-like structure used to hold back water or earth while work is being done inside it.

Question 166

Column

Answer 166

(1) a structurally isolated vertical member which is at least eight to ten times as long as its least lateral dimension designed to carry loads. (2) a vertical structural member supporting horizontal members (beams, girders) designed to transmit load to bearing material at base of column.

Question 167

Common brick

Answer 167

Local inexpensive clay brick, no uniform face or precision mold.

Question 168

Composition siding

Answer 168

A manufactured wall covering, often finished in an imitation brick pattern.

Question 169

Concrete

Answer 169

A hard stone-like material made by mixing sand, an aggregate such as crushed stone or gravel, cement, and water, and allowing the mixture to harden.

Question 170

Concrete block

Answer 170

Concrete formed into the shape of a block and allowed to set until it hardens. Used as a masonry unit.

Question 171

Conduit

Answer 171

A pipe or tube. An artificial tunnel used to enclose wires or pipes or to convey water or other fluids.

Question 172

Construction, brick

Answer 172

A type of construction where the exterior walls are bearing walls(q.v.) made of solid brick and tile masonry.

Question 173

Construction, brick veneer

Answer 173

A type of construction where the exterior walls are one-layer brick curtain walls backed by a wood frame.

Question 174

Construction, mill

Answer 174

A type of construction where the exterior walls are substantial masonry bearing walls, the structural members are of heavy timber and further characterized by an open design and other safeguards against fire hazards.

Question 175

Construction, reinforced concrete

Answer 175

A type of construction where the principalstructural members, such as the floors, columns, etc., are made of concrete poured aroundisolated steel bars or steel meshwork in such manner that the two materials act together inresisting forces.

Question 176

Construction, steel frame

Answer 176

A type of construction where a framework of steel structuralmembers for the support of all loads and the resistances of all stresses.

Question 177

Construction, wood frame

Answer 177

A type of construction in which there is a framework ofwooden structural members for the support of all loads and the resistance of all stresses.

Question 178

Continuous windows

Answer 178

Windows designed for saw-tooth roofs or roof monitors of industrial buildings; generally top hinged and opened by mechanical operators.

Question 179

Coping

Answer 179

A special capping at the top of a wall, serving principally as a watershed.

Question 180

Corbel

Answer 180

A supporting bracket of stone, brick or wood projecting from side of wall.

Question 181

Cornice

Answer 181

A projecting element at the top of a wall, serving principally as a decoration oras part of the coping.

Question 182

Cottage

Answer 182

One-story to two-story dwelling unit of small size and humble character.

Question 183

Course

Answer 183

A uniform horizontal layer of brick, stone, terra cotta, shingles, or some otherstructural material, extending continuously around a building or along a wall.

Question 184

Court

Answer 184

An open space bordered on two or more sides by the walls of a single building, or oftwo or more buildings, and by a lot line or a yard on any side not so bordered.

Question 185

Craneway

Answer 185

The steel or concrete column and girder supports and rails on which a cranetravels. Oftentimes the craneway is attached to the building frame.

Question 186

Crawl space

Answer 186

An unfinished, accessible space below the first floor, generally less than full story height.

Question 187

Cupola

Answer 187

A small building-like structure on a roof.

Question 188

Curtain wall

Answer 188

An exterior wall that encloses but does not support the structural frame of a building.

Question 189

Damp proofing

Answer 189

The coating of a surface to prevent the passage of moisture.

Question 190

Dead load

Answer 190

The weight of the structure itself plus any permanent fixed loads.

Question 191

Dome

Answer 191

A roof shaped like a hemisphere or inverted bowl, so constructed as to exert equal oblique thrust stresses in all directions.

Question 192

Dormer

Answer 192

1) a relatively small structure projecting from a sloping roof, 2) a window set upright in the face of such a structure.

Question 193

Double hung window

Answer 193

A type of window containing two movable sash sections that slide open vertically.

Question 194

Double tee

Answer 194

A structural member of pre-cast concrete composed of two beams connected by a common slab.

Question 195

Double wall

Answer 195

An exterior frame wall with siding, sheathing and interior lining.

Question 196

Downspout

Answer 196

A pipe for carrying rainwater from roof gutters to the ground or the storm sewer system.

Question 197

Drain tile

Answer 197

Burnt clay tile pipe, rendered impervious to water by glazing; laid with loose unsealed joints or plastic perforated pipe laid next to the foundation wall for drainage.

Question 198

Dressed and matched

Answer 198

Boards which are finished, or dressed on 1 or 2 sides and tongue and grooved on the edges.

Question 199

Drilled caisson

Answer 199

A hole drilled into the ground then filled with concrete. Depending on soil conditions, a pipe lining may be included.

Question 200

Drip edge

Answer 200

A projecting part of a sill or cornice that sheds rainwater and protects structural parts below.

Question 201

Drop panel

Answer 201

In reinforced concrete slab construction, a thickened portion of the ceiling around a column head for load distribution.

Question 202

Drywall construction

Answer 202

Any type of interior wall construction not using plaster as a finish material; e.g., wood paneling, plywood, plasterboard, or other type of wallboard.

Question 203

Duct

Answer 203

A pipe to convey warm or cooled air; pipe containing electrical wires or cables.

Question 204

Dwelling

Answer 204

Any building or portion thereof designed or occupied in whole or in part as a place of residence.

Question 205

Dwelling, attached

Answer 205

A multi-family dwelling where the dwelling units are separated vertically by means of common or party walls. See “terrace.”

Question 206

Dwelling, double

Answer 206

A two-family dwelling that the dwelling units are separated vertically, by means of a common or party wall.

Question 207

Dwelling, duplex

Answer 207

A two-family dwelling in which the two dwelling units are separated horizontally with a private street entrance for each; i.e., a two-family flat.

Question 208

Dwelling, multi-family

Answer 208

A building designed as a place of residence for more than two families or households; e.g., an apartment house or tenement.

Question 209

Dwelling, row

Answer 209

Any one of a series of similar single-family, two-family, or multi-family dwellings having one or more contiguous common, or party walls.

Question 210

Dwelling unit

Answer 210

Any room or group of rooms designed as the living quarters of one family or household, equipped with cooking and toilet facilities, and having an independent entrance from a public hall or from the outside.

Question 211

Eaves

Answer 211

The portion of a sloping roof projecting beyond the wall of a building.

Question 212

Elevation

Answer 212

A drawing representing a projection of any one of the vertical sides or vertical cross-sections of a building or of any other object.

Question 213

Excavation

Answer 213

A hole or hollow dug in the earth.

Question 214

Facade

Answer 214

The face of a building, especially one that is decorative or imposing.

Question 215

Face brick

Answer 215

Generally, a hard burned brick of smooth or rough-texture face, of selected color and size; used to finish the exterior walls of a building.

Question 216

Fascia

Answer 216

Any relatively broad flat vertical surface like that on the outside of a cornice. A finishing board used to conceal rafter boards.

Question 217

Felt paper

Answer 217

A paper sheathing on walls and roofs insulating against heat, cold and dampness.

Question 218

Fenestration

Answer 218

The design and disposition or arrangement of windows or other openings in building walls.

Question 219

Fiber plank

Answer 219

A decking material composed of wood fibers with moisture and fire-resistive binders often used with bulb tees.

Question 220

Fiberboard

Answer 220

Fine spun filaments of glass made into yarn, used in wooly masses as insulation. May be added to gypsum or concrete products to increase tensile strength.

Question 221

Fill

Answer 221

The material used to equalize or to raise topography to a desired grade.

Question 222

Firebrick

Answer 222

A brick made of fire clay that is capable of resisting high temperatures; used toline heating chambers and fireplaces.

Question 223

Fire door

Answer 223

Door consisting of a core and external surfaces especially constructed toprevent the spread of fire.

Question 224

Fireproofing

Answer 224

The use of incombustible materials to protect structural components of abuilding so it can withstand a complete burnout of contents without losing structuralintegrity.

Question 225

Firewall

Answer 225

A wall of fire-resisting material erected between two parts of a building toprevent the spread of fire from one part to the other.

Question 226

Flashing

Answer 226

Small metal strips used to prevent leaking of roofs around chimneys, dormers,hops and valleys.

Question 227

Flat

Answer 227

Any one floor of a building two or more stories high each floor of which constitutes asingle dwelling unit and has a private street entrance.

Question 228

Float finish

Answer 228

The surface of concrete finished by a continuous spreading of the materialwith a flat board.

Question 229

Floating foundation

Answer 229

(Mat, raft or rigid foundation) consists of concrete slabs usually 4 to 8 inches thick covering the entire foundation area.

Question 230

Floor finish

Answer 230

Top, or wearing surface made of hardwood, linoleum, terrazzo, tile, or otherfinish materials.

Question 231

Flue

Answer 231

The duct or space within a chimney through which combustion gases and smoke areallowed to escape.

Question 232

Flue lining

Answer 232

The tile or pipe inside a chimney.

Question 233

Fluorescent light

Answer 233

Produced from a fluorescent-coated tube that glows as electrons passfrom one end to the other.

Question 234

Footing

Answer 234

A spreading base to a wall, column, or other supporting member, which serves towiden the ground area to which structural loads are transmitted.

Question 235

Formica

Answer 235

The trade name for a hard, durable plastic sheeting used for table, sink andcounter tops or for wall covering resistant to heat and chemicals.

Question 236

Forms

Answer 236

The temporary panels, usually of wood, plywood, or metal that contain and controlthe shape of poured concrete until it hardens.

Question 237

Foundation

Answer 237

The structural members below grade level, or below the first tier of beamsabove grade level, which transmit the load of a superstructure to the ground.

Question 238

Foyer

Answer 238

The lobby of a theater or hotel; the entrance hall of a house.

Question 239

Frame

Answer 239

The skeletal supporting structure of a building or construction component.

Question 240

Frieze

Answer 240

A decorative horizontal band at or near the top of a wall.

Question 241

Furring

Answer 241

The strips of wood or metal applied to a wall or other surface to make it level, to form an air space, or to provide fastening surface for a finish covering.

Question 242

Gable

Answer 242

(1) The triangular portion of a wall between the slopes of a double sloping roof. (2) The whole of the wall containing such a triangular portion. (3) A portion of a building extending from the remainder of the building and covered with a gable roof.

Question 243

Gambrel roof

Answer 243

A ridged roof, with sides having two pitches or slopes.

Question 244

Giant tee

Answer 244

A structural member of pre-cast concrete composed of a beam connected to a slab.

Question 245

Girder

Answer 245

(1) A large or principal beam (q.v.) used to support concentrated loads at isolated points along its length. Girders usually support the beams and structure above. (2) Any main horizontal supporting member or beam.

Question 246

Girt

Answer 246

A secondary horizontal framing member extending between columns or studs to stiffen the framing system; also to provide support for the siding or sheathing.

Question 247

Glazed concrete block

Answer 247

Concrete block with a glossy vitreous material surface.

Question 248

Grade

Answer 248

The plane of the natural or finished surface of the ground.

Question 249

Grade beam

Answer 249

A horizontal load-bearing foundation member, end-supported like a standard beam, not ground-supported like the foundation wall.

Question 250

Granolithic

Answer 250

An artificial stone of crushed granite and cement.

Question 251

Grillage

Answer 251

A system of beams laid crosswise to form a foundation to evenly distribute the load.

Question 252

Groin

Answer 252

The sharp curved edge formed at the junction of two intersecting vaults.

Question 253

Grout

Answer 253

A thin, fluid mortar used to fill small joints and cavities in masonry work.

Question 254

Gutter

Answer 254

A trough or channel along or under the roof eaves which carries rainwater to downspouts or conductors.

Question 255

Gypsum

Answer 255

A common mineral, hydrated calcium sulfate, found in rocks; used in plaster of Paris.

Question 256

Gypsum plank

Answer 256

A lightweight pre-cast roof deck of gypsum core with steel mesh reinforcement.

Question 257

Gypsum plaster

Answer 257

Substance obtained by heating gypsum that sets in a firm, hard masswhen mixed with water.

Question 258

Gypsum wallboard

Answer 258

A prefabricated sheet used in drywall construction as a substitute for plaster. Made of gypsum covered with paper that can be painted, textured or wallpapered.

Question 259

Hardboard

Answer 259

Boards formed by combining shredded wood chips and glue with pressure.

Question 260

Header

Answer 260

1) A structural member which is laid perpendicularly to a parallel series ofsimilar members and against which the latter members abut. 2) A brick or other piece ofmasonry laid in a wall in such manner that its longest dimension extends along thethickness of the wall.

Question 261

Hearth

Answer 261

The floor of a fireplace.

Question 262

Heat exchanger

Answer 262

Cylinder with coils in it; used to transfer heat from one gas or liquid to another.

Question 263

Hip

Answer 263

(1) A sloping line along which two roof surfaces meet to form an external angle ofmore than 180 degrees. (2) A hip rafter (q.v.). Compare “Ridge”; “Valley.”

Question 264

Hotel

Answer 264

A building designed for transient or semi-transient residential use, divided intofurnished single rooms and suites and having such accommodations as lounges, publicdining rooms and maid service, etc.

Question 265

Hotel, apartment

Answer 265

See “Apartment hotel.”

Question 266

I-beam

Answer 266

Steel beam with cross section resembling the letter “I” now designated “S” for American Standard Beam.

Question 267

Incandescent light

Answer 267

Light emitted from a lamp with a fine wire filament which produceslight as a current passes through it.

Question 268

Insulating board or fiberboard

Answer 268

A building board made of compressed plant fibers suchas wood, cane or cornstalks, usually formed by a felting process, dried and pressed tospecified thickness.

Question 269

Insulation

Answer 269

Any material used to reduce the transfer of heat, cold or sound.

Question 270

Jack rafter

Answer 270

Shorter than a full-length rafter. Is found in hip roofs where the top edge of aroof slope is not horizontal, and in roofs with valleys.

Question 271

Jalousies

Answer 271

Adjustable glass louvers in doors or windows to regulate light and air orexclude rain.

Question 272

Jamb

Answer 272

The side framing or finish of a doorway or window.

Question 273

Joist

Answer 273

One of a series of small parallel beams laid on edge and used to support floor andceiling loads, and usually supported in turn by larger beams and girders.

Question 274

Keene’s cement

Answer 274

A white, hard finish durable plaster that sets quickly; used in bathrooms and kitchens.

Question 275

Keystone

Answer 275

The central topmost stone or piece of an arch which holds the other in place.

Question 276

King post

Answer 276

The vertical member at the center of a triangular truss.

Question 277

Lally column

Answer 277

A concrete filled steel pipe used as a vertical framing support.

Question 278

Lath

Answer 278

Strips of wood or expanded metal used as base for plaster walls.

Question 279

Lattice

Answer 279

Any openwork panel of crossed strips, rods, or bars of wood or metal, used as a screen.

Question 280

Leader

Answer 280

Pipe to conduct rainwater from roof gutters to ground or storm sewer system.

Question 281

Lean-to

Answer 281

A small structure with a single pitch roof; built against an outside wall of a building.

Question 282

Light

Answer 282

A window pane or section of a window sash for a single pane of glass.

Question 283

Lintel

Answer 283

A beam over a wall opening, such as a door or window, designed to carry the load of the wall over such opening.

Question 284

Live load

Answer 284

Any moving or variable load applied to a structure, expressed in pounds per square foot of floor areas for various types of building occupancy.

Question 285

Load bearing wall

Answer 285

Weight of wall and portion of floor/roof load are supported by the wall, remainder is supported by the interior framing.

Question 286

Lobby

Answer 286

An entrance passage or waiting area in a theater, hotel or other public building.

Question 287

Loft

Answer 287

An unpartitioned or relatively unpartitioned upper story of a building, designed for storage, wholesaling, or light manufacturing.

Question 288

Lookout

Answer 288

A short timber support for an overhanging roof at a gable.

Question 289

Louver (or louvre)

Answer 289

A ventilator containing slats placed lengthwise across the ventilator opening, each slat being slanted in such manner as to overlap the next lower slat and topermit ventilation but exclude rain.

Question 290

Luminous ceiling

Answer 290

A suspended ceiling of translucent materials, above, which is installeda system of fluorescent tubes, making the entire ceiling the source of light, a practice thatgreatly reduces glare and shadows.

Question 291

Mall

Answer 291

Originally a shaded walk. Now adopted to designate an area for pedestrians in aretail section or shopping center.

Question 292

Mansard roof

Answer 292

A roof with two slopes or pitches on each of the four sides, the lower slopessteeper than the upper. Convenient for adding another story to a building.

Question 293

Marquise

Answer 293

A flat roof-like structure sheltering a doorway, having no floor beneath it andis usually supported wholly from the walls or the building.

Question 294

Masonry

Answer 294

Anything constructed of stone, brick, concrete tile, concrete block, using mortaras a bond.

Question 295

Mastic

Answer 295

An adhesive material used to cement two surfaces together. Flooring materialsapplied to the base floor in a stiff plastic state by spreading, rolling and troweling.

Question 296

Mercury vapor lamp

Answer 296

Produced by an electric arc discharging through mercury vapor in a tube. White light.

Question 297

Metal pan joist

Answer 297

A floor or roof system using metal pans to form a system of closelyspaced beams and connecting slabs.

Question 298

Mezzanine

Answer 298

Low story formed by placing a floor between what would ordinarily be thefloor and ceiling of a high story.

Question 299

Mill construction

Answer 299

A type of fire-resistant or slow burning construction; masonry, heavytimber framing, and planked or laminated wood floors much thicker than ordinary joistconstruction.

Question 300

Millwork

Answer 300

All of the wooden portions of a building, whether frame construction or otherwise, which are customarily purchased in finished form from a planing mill, such asdoors, windows, trim, balusters, etc.

Question 301

Mineral wool

Answer 301

Insulation material made by blasting molten slag or rock with steam. Suchmaterials are known as rock wool, glass wool, etc.

Question 302

Molding (moulding)

Answer 302

A curved section formed in the edge or face of wood and/or stone,chiefly for the sake of ornament. Mostly used to fill corners. Classified by its purpose (bed,crown, shingle) or by design, cove, ogre, quarter-round.

Question 303

Monitor roof

Answer 303

A raised structure on a roof having windows or louvers for ventilating orlighting a building such as a factory or warehouse.

Question 304

Monolithic

Answer 304

Poured floor or structure in one piece.

Question 305

Mortar

Answer 305

The bonding agent in masonry work made of lime, sand, and cement mixed with water.

Question 306

Newel

Answer 306

The vertical post that the steps of a winding staircase turn. The post at the top orbottom of a staircase supporting the handrail or a balustrade.

Question 307

Non-bearing wall

Answer 307

A wall that supports only its own weight.

Question 308

On center

Answer 308

The distance from the center of one structural member to the center of another. Term used for spacing studs, joists, rafters, etc.

Question 309

Oriel

Answer 309

Window type; ordinarily projects beyond exterior face of wall; octagonal or hexagonal in plan, commonly corbelled or cantilevered out.

Question 310

Overhang

Answer 310

A finished portion of a building having full story height that extends beyondthe foundation wall line if part of the ground story, or beyond the exterior walls of theground story if part of any higher story.

Question 311

Overhead structure

Answer 311

Similar to overhang above ground story, such as overhead pedestrian walkway.

Question 312

Panic device

Answer 312

Door opening operator usually consisting of a door-wide bar at waist heightwhich, when pushed against, pulls back the door latching mechanism allowing the door to open.

Question 313

Parapet

Answer 313

A low wall along the edge of a roof, balcony, ridge, or terrace. Also a parapet wall.

Question 314

Parging

Answer 314

A coating of cement on a masonry wall, frequently used to waterproof theoutside surface of a basement wall.

Question 315

Parquet floor

Answer 315

A hardwood floor laid in small rectangular or square patterns, not in long strips.

Question 316

Partition

Answer 316

See “Wall, partition.”

Question 317

Penthouse

Answer 317

A structure or enclosure on a roof for housing stairway to roof, elevatormachinery, utility room or water tank.

Question 318

Pier

Answer 318

(1) A thick, solid mass of masonry that is fully or partially isolated from a structuralstandpoint and which is designed to transmit vertical loads to the earth; (2) a structureprojecting from land into water for use in loading and unloading vessels. Compare “Column.”

Question 319

Pilaster

Answer 319

A flat-faced pillar projecting somewhat from but engaged in, the wall of abuilding and used for decorative purposes or to help support truss and girder loads or both.

Question 320

Pile

Answer 320

A heavy timber, metallic, or masonry pillar forced into the earth to form a foundationmember.

Question 321

Pitch

Answer 321

The slope of any structural member, such as a roof or rafter, usually expressed as asimple fraction representing the rise per lateral foot.

Question 322

Plan

Answer 322

A drawing representing a projection of any one of the floors or horizontal cross-sections of a building or of the horizontal plane of any other object or area. Compare “Elevation.”

Question 323

Plaster

Answer 323

A mixture of lime, sand and water. Used as a finished surface for walls and ceilings.

Question 324

Plate

Answer 324

A horizontal structural member laid across the top of a row of studs, serving as theframe for interior partitions, and exterior walls. The purpose of a plate is 1) to providelateral rigidity for the wall by “tying” the studs together and 2) to serve as a support forupper story floor joists, ceiling joists and as the lower support for rafters.

Question 325

Plumb (bob)

Answer 325

Exactly perpendicular vertical.

Question 326

Plywood

Answer 326

A fabricated wood product constructed of three or more layers of veneer joinedwith glue; usually laid with grain of adjoining piles at right angles.

Question 327

Porcelain

Answer 327

A vitrified, glass-like, coating of ceramic materials bonded to a base metal by fusion.

Question 328

Post

Answer 328

A vertical structure member carrying stresses in compression, used where strengthin bending is not a requisite.

Question 329

Pre-cast concrete

Answer 329

Concrete structural components that are cast separately, either at aseparate location or on a building site; not formed and poured in place in the structure.

Question 330

Pre-engineered building

Answer 330

A building constructed of pre-designed, pre-manufactured,and pre-assembled units such as wall framing, floor and roof panels. Pre-engineered unitsare simply erected at the construction site.

Question 331

Pre-stressed concrete

Answer 331

A structural member with reinforcing strands placed under tension either before or after the concrete sets.

Question 332

Purlin

Answer 332

A beam running along the underside of a sloping roof surface and at right anglesto the rafters, used to support the common rafters, and usually supported in turn by largerstructural members, such as trusses or girders (usually run along length of building).

Question 333

Radiant heat

Answer 333

Heat transmitted from heated surface by radiation rather than conduction or convection.

Question 334

Rafter

Answer 334

Structural member placed, as a rule, in a sloping position and used as the supporting element for the structural material forming the plane of the roof.

Question 335

Rafter, hip

Answer 335

A rafter placed in an inclined position to support the edges of two sloping roof surfaces which meet to form an external angle of more than 180 degrees.

Question 336

Rafter, valley

Answer 336

A rafter placed in an inclined position to support the edges of two sloping roof surfaces which meet to form an external angle of less than 180 degrees.

Question 337

Rake

Answer 337

A board or molding plate along the sloping sides of a frame gable to cover the ends of the siding.

Question 338

Ramp

Answer 338

An inclined plane connecting two different floor levels and used in lieu of steps.

Question 339

Reinforcement

Answer 339

A system of steel rods or mesh for absorbing tensile and shearing stresses in concrete work, complementing the inherent compressive qualities of concrete.

Question 340

Reservoir

Answer 340

Below-ground fluid storage tank built with concrete walls, floor and roof.

Question 341

Residence

Answer 341

See Dwelling.

Question 342

Resilient tile

Answer 342

Flooring which includes a number of products such as asphalt, linoleum, cork, vinyl, and rubber.

Question 343

Ridge

Answer 343

A horizontal line along which the upper edges of two roof surfaces meet to form an external angle of more than 180 degrees.

Question 344

Rise

Answer 344

(1) In general, any vertical distance, (2) specifically, the rise of a roof, being the distance between the top of an exterior wall and the peak of the roof; the rise of a stair, being the distance from tread to tread.

Question 345

Roll roofing

Answer 345

A roofing material made of compressed fibers saturated with asphalt, supplied in rolls.

Question 346

Roof, curb (or curbed)

Answer 346

A roof where the pitch of the upper part of a sloping side is less than the pitch of the lower part.

Question 347

Roof, flat

Answer 347

A roof that is flat or sloped only enough to provide proper drainage.

Question 348

Roof, gable

Answer 348

A double-sloped roof having a cross section similar to the shape of the inverted letter “v”.

Question 349

Roof, gambrel

Answer 349

A curbed gable roof.

Question 350

Roof, hip (or hipped)

Answer 350

(1) In general, any roof having one or more hips, (2) usually, a roof with four sloping sides meeting along four hips or along four hips and a ridge.

Question 351

Roof, lean-to

Answer 351

(1) A roof having a single sloping side that is supported at the upper edge by the wall of an attached building or of a larger and higher portion of the same building, (2) any roof with a single slope.

Question 352

Roof, mansard

Answer 352

A roof with two slopes or pitches on each of the four sides, the lower slopes steeper than the upper. Convenient for adding another story to a building.

Question 353

Roof, monitor

Answer 353

A type of gable roof, commonly found on industrial buildings, having small raised portion along the ridge with openings for the admission of light and air.

Question 354

Roof, pyramid

Answer 354

A roof having four sloping triangular sides, usually of equal pitch, meeting together at the peak.

Question 355

Roof, saw tooth

Answer 355

A roof with a series of parallel sloping surfaces interspersed between a series of vertical surfaces which rise from the lower edges of such sloping surfaces and contain windows for the admission of light and air.

Question 356

Roof, single pitch

Answer 356

A roof with a single slope other than a lean-to roof.

Question 357

Rotunda

Answer 357

A circular building or room covered by a dome.

Question 358

Rubblework

Answer 358

Masonry built of rubble or roughly dressed stones laid in irregular courses.

Question 359

Sandwich panel

Answer 359

A core of insulation covered on both sides with materials such as concrete, metal, or asbestos.

Question 360

Sanitary sewer

Answer 360

A sewer carrying only waste material, not surface water.

Question 361

Sash

Answer 361

The wooden or metal framework in which the glass of a door or window is set.

Question 362

Saw kerf

Answer 362

A notch made by a saw in a board.

Question 363

Scratch coat

Answer 363

The first coat of plaster applied to a wall, scratched or scored to provide a bond of the second coat.

Question 364

Scuttle

Answer 364

A framed opening in a ceiling or roof, fitted with a lid or cover.

Question 365

Shake

Answer 365

A shingle formed by splitting a short log into a number of tapered radial sections.

Question 366

Sheathing

Answer 366

The covering, usually of rough lumber, placed immediately over studding or rafters.

Question 367

Sheet piling

Answer 367

Planking or steel shafts driven close together vertically to form a temporary wall around an excavation.

Question 368

Shingle

Answer 368

A roof or wall covering of waterproof material.

Question 369

Shoring

Answer 369

Structural bracing used as temporary support for a building during construction.

Question 370

Shutter

Answer 370

Hinged door that covers a window.

Question 371

Siding

Answer 371

A finish covering for exterior walls of a building.

Question 372

Sill

Answer 372

(1) The lower horizontal part of a door-case (the threshold) or of a window; (2) thelowest horizontal structural member of a frame building, upon which the superstructure issupported.

Question 373

Skin wall

Answer 373

External wall covering of aluminum, porcelain enamel, steel or other material. Slab on ground—A building floor (usually concrete) that rests on, or touches the ground. Slate—A hard, fine-grained rock that cleaves naturally into thin, smooth-surfaced layers. Sleeper—A structural member laid horizontally on the ground or upon a masonry base as a support to a floor or other superstructures.

Question 374

Sodium vapor light

Answer 374

Produced by electric current passing between electrodes in lampfilled with sodium vapor. Orange light. Soffit—The undersiding of a building member such as an arch, cornice, overhang, or stairway.

Question 375

Soil stack

Answer 375

A general term for the vertical main of a system of soil, waste or vent piping.

Question 376

Span

Answer 376

The horizontal clear distance between supports as between those of a bridge, or between columns of a structure.

Question 377

Spandrel

Answer 377

A beam that lies in the same vertical plane as the exterior wall.

Question 378

Specifications

Answer 378

A detailed description of the dimensions, materials, quantities, structural procedures, etc. applicable to a projected or completed piece of construction.

Question 379

Staging

Answer 379

A temporary scaffolding to support workmen and materials during construction.

Question 380

Stair riser

Answer 380

Vertical part of a step in a staircase.

Question 381

Stair tread

Answer 381

The part of a step actually trodden on when stairs are climbed.

Question 382

Stile

Answer 382

The upright or vertical outside piece of a sash, door or panel.

Question 383

Storm sewer

Answer 383

A sewer that only carries rain or surface water.

Question 384

Story

Answer 384

The portion of a building enclosed by a floor, a ceiling and the exterior walls.

Question 385

Story, ground

Answer 385

The first story lying wholly above the ground level.

Question 386

Story, half (or one-half)

Answer 386

(1) For buildings with a mansard or gambrel roof, a finished portion of a building which lies above the wall plate or cornice and has a usable floor areasubstantially less than that of the next lower story, (2) for all other buildings, a finishedportion of a building which is above one or more full stories which is wholly or partly withinthe roof frame and has one or more exterior walls substantially lower than the full height ofthe story.

Question 387

Story, one

Answer 387

A building having no finished story above the ground story.

Question 388

Stretcher

Answer 388

A brick or other masonry unit laid length wise in a wall.

Question 389

Stringer

Answer 389

Inclined member supporting the treads and risers of a stair.

Question 390

Structural floor

Answer 390

Floors above the ground resting on walls or columns.

Question 391

Strut

Answer 391

Any structural member that holds apart two or more other members by counteracting a pressure that tends to bring them together.

Question 392

Stucco

Answer 392

A cement plaster used as an exterior wall surface finish; usually applied over a metal or wood lath base.

Question 393

Stud

Answer 393

One of a series of small slender structural members placed vertically and used as the supporting element of exterior or interior walls.

Question 394

Subfloor

Answer 394

The flooring laid directly on top of floor joists but beneath the finished floor.

Question 395

Superstructure

Answer 395

The part of a building above the foundation or ground level.

Question 396

Tenement

Answer 396

A building, usually of obsolete nature, designed primarily for non-transient residential use and divided into three or more dwelling units having common stairs, halls, and street entrances, and sometimes common bath and toilet rooms.

Question 397

Termite shield

Answer 397

A sheet metal shield placed to prevent the entry of termites into the wooden portion of a structure.

Question 398

Terrace

Answer 398

An unroofed level area covered with grass or masonry or both, raised above the surrounding ground level, and having a vertical or sloping front.

Question 399

Terra cotta

Answer 399

A hard-baked pottery molded into decorative tiles, brick, etc. and used particularly for facing and trim on buildings.

Question 400

Terrazzo

Answer 400

A durable floor finish made of small chips of colored stone or marble embedded in cement and polished in place to a high glaze.

Question 401

Thickened edge slab

Answer 401

A type of concrete floor slab foundation where the slab is thickened around the edge in lieu of a foundation.

Question 402

Threshold

Answer 402

A strip of wood, stone or metal placed beneath a door.

Question 403

Tie

Answer 403

Any structural member that binds together two or more members by counteracting a stress that tends to draw them apart.

Question 404

Tilt-up concrete panels

Answer 404

Concrete wall sections that are cast horizontally and tilted or lifted into building position.

Question 405

Trim

Answer 405

(1) The wooden portions of a plastered room, such as the doors, windows, wainscotting, and molding, or the corresponding portions of a room finished otherwise than with plaster, (2) the contrasting elements on the exterior of a building which serve nostructural purpose but are intended to enhance its appearance; e.g., the cornice, occasionally, the hardware of a house, such as locks, hinges, doorknobs, etc.

Question 406

Trowel finish

Answer 406

The surface of concrete finished by smoothing with a trowel.

Question 407

Truss

Answer 407

Any of various structural frames based on the geometric rigidity of the triangle andcomposed of members subject only to longitudinal compression and tension; rigid underanticipated loads, spans large area without interior support, i.e., Bowstring, Cambered,Flat Roof, Sawtooth, Scissors and Triangular.

Question 408

Unit heat

Answer 408

Heat produced by factory-built, gas or electric fired heater, which contain a fanto direct heat to a specific area.

Question 409

Valley

Answer 409

A sloping line along which two roof surfaces meet to form an external angle or lessthan 180 degrees.

Question 410

Vapor barrier

Answer 410

Material used to retard the passage of vapor or moisture into walls andfloors, thus preventing condensation.

Question 411

Veneer

Answer 411

A thin ornamental or protective facing which does not add appreciably to thestrength of the body to which it is attached.

Question 412

Vent (ventilator)

Answer 412

Allows air to circulate in areas susceptible to dampness or condensation. (Basement, foundation, attic, roof and eave.)

Question 413

Waffle pan construction

Answer 413

Flat, reinforced concrete slab foundation with a grid of projections on its lower surface to give additional rigidity. Used when bearing capacity ofsoil is poor or not firm enough to support a plain flat slab foundation.

Question 414

Wainscot (or wainscoting)

Answer 414

(1) A wooden facing on the lower portion of a contrastinginterior wall, (2) by extension, a facing of marble tile, or the like on the lower portion ofinterior walls.

Question 415

Wall, bearing

Answer 415

A wall designed primarily to withstand vertical pressure in addition to its own weight.

Question 416

Wall, common

Answer 416

A wall owned by one party but jointly used by two parties, one or both areentitled to such use under the provisions of a lease.

Question 417

Wall, curtain

Answer 417

A nonbearing wall which is supported by columns, beams or other structural members, and whose primary function is to enclose space.

Question 418

Wall, partition

Answer 418

An interior bearing or nonbearing wall separating portions of a story.

Question 419

Wall, party

Answer 419

A wall jointly used by two parties under easement agreement and erected ator upon a line separating two parcels of land held under different ownership.

Question 420

Wall, retaining

Answer 420

A wall designed primarily to withstand lateral pressures of earth orother filling or backing deposited behind it after construction.

Question 421

Waterproofing

Answer 421

To render impervious to water or dampness.

Question 422

Weep hole

Answer 422

A series of small holes in a retaining wall or similar structure that permitsthe drainage of water through the wall and hence reduces the pressure against the wall.

Question 424

Abandonment

Answer 424

(1) Cessation of the use of right of way or activity thereon with nointention to reclaim or use again. (2) The act of vacating real property and/or the leaving offixtures or other attachments.

Question 425

Abstract

Answer 425

To reduce a legal description of a property to another form; also, to identify aproperty from its legal description.

Question 426

Access

Answer 426

(1) The means or way by which a property is approached. (2) The means or method of entrance into or upon a property.

Question 427

Access Rights

Answer 427

(1) The right of ingress to and egress from a property which abuts upon anexisting street or highway. It is an easement in the street that is appurtenant to abuttingproperty and is a private right as distinguishable from the rights of the public. It is well-established law in the United States that the right of access cannot be denied or unreasonably restricted unless other reasonable access is available or provided or compensation is awarded. (2) The right of a riparian owner to pass to and from the watersupon which the premises border.

Question 428

Accrued depreciation

Answer 428

See Depreciation.

Question 429

Acre

Answer 429

A land measure of 160 square rods or 43,560 square feet.

Question 430

Actual Age

Answer 430

The number of years elapsed since an original structure was built. Sometimes referred to as historical or chronological age.

Question 431

Aerial photo

Answer 431

Airplane photography of entire U.S. land mass taken by Federal Government every few years. Available from County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Office.

Question 432

Age/Life Method

Answer 432

A method of estimating accrued depreciation founded upon the premisethat, in the aggregate, a mathematical function can be used to infer accrued depreciationfrom the age of a property and its economic life.

Question 433

Agricultural property

Answer 433

Land and improvements devoted to or best adaptable for theproduction of crops, fruits, timber and the raising of livestock.

Question 434

Air rights

Answer 434

The right to inclusive and undisturbed use and control of a designated airspace within the perimeter of a stated land area and within stated elevations. Such rightsmay be acquired for the construction of a building above the land or building of another, orfor the protection of the light and air of an existing or proposed structure on an adjoininglot.

Question 435

Alley influence

Answer 435

The enhancement to the value of a property rising out of the presence ofan abutting alley, most generally applicable to commercial properties.

Question 436

Allocation

Answer 436

The allocation of the appraised total value of the property between the landand improvements.

Question 437

Allowance for Vacancy and Income Loss

Answer 437

That amount deducted from Potential Annual Gross Income to reflect the effect of probable vacancy and turnover, or non-paymentof rent by tenants; commonly expressed as a percentage of Potential Annual Gross Incomeand then converted to a dollar figure, the percentage of vacancy and income loss is thecomplement of the occupancy ratio.

Question 438

Amenities

Answer 438

In reference to property, the intangible benefits arising out of ownership;amenity value refers to the enhancement of value attributable to such amenities.

Question 439

Anticipation, principle of

Answer 439

Affirms that value is created by the anticipation of futurebenefits. (Value may be defined as the present worth of all rights to future benefits.)

Question 440

Appraisal

Answer 440

An estimate or opinion of value, usually in written form of the describedproperty as of a specified date; may be used synonymously with valuation or appraisedvalue.

Question 441

Appraiser

Answer 441

One who estimates value. More specifically, one who possesses the expertiseto execute or direct the execution of an appraisal.

Question 442

Appreciation

Answer 442

Increased value of a property, in terms of money, from all causes. For example, or a property of any sort may appreciate as a result of inflation.

Question 443

Arm’s-Length Sale

Answer 443

A sale between two parties neither of whom is related to or underabnormal pressure from the other. See Market Value.

Question 444

Assemblage

Answer 444

The combining of two or more continuous parcels into one ownership or use.

Question 445

Aesthetic value

Answer 445

A value, intangible in nature, which is attributable to the pleasingappearance of a property.

Question 446

Azimuth

Answer 446

The angle between true north or true south and an object. In surveying, it ismeasured clockwise from north.

Question 447

Balance, principle of

Answer 447

Holds that value is created and maintained in proportion to theequilibrium attained in the amount and location of essential uses of real estate. The degree of value of a property is governed by the balance or apportionment of the four factors inproduction, land, labor, capital and management.

Question 448

Base price

Answer 448

A value or unit rate established for a certain specified model, and subject toadjustments to account for variations between that particular model and the subject property under appraisement.

Question 449

Bearing

Answer 449

(1) The situation or horizontal direction of one point or object with respect toanother, or to the points of the compass. (2) That portion of any member of a building thatrests upon its supports.

Question 450

Blighted area

Answer 450

A declining area or district characterized by structural deteriorationand/or environmental deficiencies.

Question 451

Book value

Answer 451

The capital amount of property shown on the books of an accountant. Usually, it is the original cost less reserves for depreciation plus additions to capital.

Question 452

Boring test

Answer 452

A study of load-bearing qualities of subterranean surface by analysis of boreor drilling residue (core samples).

Question 453

Building Capitalization Rate

Answer 453

A rate which includes return on and return of capitalinvested in improvements, separate, and apart from capital invested in the underlyingland; used in the residual techniques which separate property income into componentsattributable to land and to improvements.

Question 454

Building Residual Technique

Answer 454

A technique used to estimate the value of a propertyfrom a knowledge of normal net income, the discount rate, the remaining economic life ofthe property, the value of the land, the income stream attributable to the building, and theincome stream attributable to the land. The technique estimates total value by discountingthe income stream attributable to the building and adding the result to an independentestimate of the value of the land.

Question 455

Bundle of Rights Theory

Answer 455

Ownership of a parcel of real estate embraces six rights.These include the right to buy; the right to sell it in whole or part; the right to bequeath;the right to lease; the right to use the real estate and the right to do none of these.

Question 456

Capitalization

Answer 456

A mathematical procedure for converting the net income which a property is capable of producing into an indication of its current value.

Question 457

Cash Flow Analysis

Answer 457

A study of the anticipated movement of money into or out of an investment.

Question 458

Central business district

Answer 458

The center of the city in which the primary commercial,governmental and recreational activities are concentrated.

Question 459

Certificate of title

Answer 459

A document usually given to a home buyer with the deed, statingthat the title to the property is clear. It is usually prepared by an attorney or qualifiedperson who has examined the abstract of title for the property. It is only an opinion that thetitle is good, not to be confused with title insurance.

Question 460

Change, principle of

Answer 460

Holds that economic and social forces are constantly at work andbecause changes brought about by these forces affect real property. The appraiser viewsreal property and its environment as in transition, observing evidence of trends which mayaffect the property in the future. The law of change is fundamentally the law of cause andeffect.

Question 461

Chattel

Answer 461

In law, any property other than a freehold or fee estate in land. Chattels aretreated as personal property, although they are divisible into chattels real and chattelspersonal.

Question 462

Comparables; comparable sales

Answer 462

Properties that have recently sold that are similar in important respects to a property being appraised. The sale price, and the physical,functional and locational characteristics of each of the properties are compared to theproperty being appraised in order to arrive at an estimate of value. By extension, the term comparables is sometimes used to refer to properties with rent or income patterns comparable to a property being appraised.

Question 463

Competition; principle of

Answer 463

Hold that profit tends to breed competition and excess profit tends to breed ruinous competition.

Question 464

Component part-in-place method

Answer 464

The application of the unit-in-place method to unitgroupings or construction components. See unit-in-place method.

Question 465

Condemnation

Answer 465

The act of government (federal, state, county, municipal), and of dulyauthorized units of government and public utility companies invested with the right ofeminent domain, to take private property for public use and benefit, upon the payment ofjust compensation. It is the act of the sovereign in substituting itself in place of the ownerand/or the act of taking all or a part of the rights of an owner.

Question 466

Condominium

Answer 466

A form of fee ownership of whole units or separate portions of multi-unitbuildings by statute which provides the mechanics and facilities for formal filing andrecording of a divided interest in real property, where the division is vertical as well ashorizontal. Fee ownership of units in a multi-unit property and joint ownership of thecommon areas. Not to be confused with “Cooperative.”

Question 467

Conformity, principle of

Answer 467

Holds that the maximum of value is realized when a reasonable degree of homogeneity, sociological as well as economic, is present. Thus, conformity in use is usually a highly desirable adjunct of real property, since it createsand/or maintains maximum value.

Question 468

Consideration

Answer 468

The amount of money and other valuable goods or services upon which abuyer and a seller agree to consummate a sale.

Question 469

Consistent use

Answer 469

Maintains that a property in transition to another use cannot be valuedon the basis of one use for the land and another for the improvements.

Question 470

Contour line

Answer 470

Outline of a figure, body, mass; lines representing such an outline as theedge of the water of a lake. A line on a topographic map or chart connecting the points on aland surface which have the same elevation.

Question 471

Contract rent

Answer 471

Payment for the use of property as designated in a lease. Used to establish the fact that the actual rent designated, or contract rent, may differ from market rent.

Question 472

Contribution, principle of

Answer 472

A valuation principle which states that the value of an agentof production or of a component part of a property depends upon how much it contributes tothe value of the whole; or how much its absence detracts from the value of the whole. The Principle of Contribution is sometimes known as the Principle of Marginal Productivity.

Question 473

Corner influence

Answer 473

The enhancement of the value of a property rising out of its cornerlocation; most generally applicable to commercial properties.

Question 474

Cost approach

Answer 474

One of the three traditional approaches to value by which an indicationof the value of a property is arrived at by estimating the value of the land, the replacementor reproduction cost new of the improvement, and the amount of accrued depreciation to theimprovement. The estimated land value is then added to the estimated depreciated value ofthe improvements to arrive at the estimated property value.

Question 475

Cost factor

Answer 475

A factor or multiplier applied to a replacement or reproduction cost toaccount for variations in location and time, as well as for other elements of construction costs not otherwise considered.

Question 476

Cover crop

Answer 476

A crop planted principally for the purpose of controlling wind or watererosion during the dormant season. It is normally plowed under and not harvested.

Question 477

Crop rotation

Answer 477

The practice of alternating, usually on an annual basis, field crops, such as corn or wheat, with legumes in order to maintain or improve the structure and productivity of the soil.

Question 478

Cubic content

Answer 478

The cubic volume of a building within the outer surface of the exteriorwalls and roof and the upper surface of the lowest floor.

Question 479

Cubic yard

Answer 479

A measure of volume that is three feet wide, three feet high, and three feetdeep. There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard.

Question 480

Curable depreciation

Answer 480

Those items of physical deterioration and functional obsolescencethat are economically feasible to cure and hence are customarily repaired or replaced by aprudent property owner.

Question 481

Deed

Answer 481

A written instrument that conveys an interest in real property. A quit claim deedconveys the interest described therein without warranty of title. A trust deed conveysinterest described therein to a trustee. A warranty deed conveys the interest described therein with the provisions that the freehold is guaranteed by the grantor, and the grantor’s heirs or successors.

Question 482

Delinquent taxes

Answer 482

Taxes remaining unpaid on and after a date upon which a penalty fornonpayment is normally attached.

Question 483

Depreciation

Answer 483

Loss in value from all causes; may be further classified as physical,referring to the loss of value caused by physical deterioration; functional, referring to theloss of value caused by obsolescence inherent in the property itself; and economic, referringto the loss of value caused by factors extraneous to the property. Accrued depreciation refers to the actual depreciation existing in a particular property as ofa specified date. Normal depreciation refers to that amount of accrued depreciation one would normallyexpect to find in buildings of certain construction, design, quality and age.

Question 484

Depreciation allowance

Answer 484

A loss of value expressed in terms of a percentage of replacement or reproduction cost new.

Question 485

Depth factor

Answer 485

A factor or multiplier applied to a unit land value to adjust the value inorder to account for variations in depth from an adopted standard depth.

Question 486

Depth table

Answer 486

A table of depth factors.

Question 487

Design factor

Answer 487

A factor or multiplier applied to a computed replacement cost as anadjustment to account for cost variations attributable to the particular design of the subject property which were not accounted for in the particular pricing schedule used.

Question 488

Deterioration

Answer 488

Impairment of structural condition evidenced by the wear and tear causedby physical use and the action of the elements, also referred to as physical depreciation.

Question 489

Drain tile

Answer 489

A specially designed pipe used in a drainage system.

Question 490

Easement

Answer 490

A non-possessing interest held by one person in land of another personwhereby the first person is accorded partial use of such land for a specific purpose. An easement restricts but does not abridge the rights of the fee owner to the use and enjoyment of the easement holder’s rights. Easements fall into three broad classifications:surface easements, subsurface easements and overhead easements.

Question 491

Economic life

Answer 491

The life expectancy of a property during that it can be expected to be used profitably.

Question 492

Economic obsolescence

Answer 492

Loss in value of a property (relative to the cost of replacing itwith a property of equal utility) that stems from factors external to the property. For example, a buggy-whip factory, to the extent that it cannot be used economically foranything else, suffers substantial economic obsolescence since automobiles have replacedhorse drawn buggies.

Question 493

Economic rent

Answer 493

The rent which a property can be expected to bring in the open market asopposed to contract rent which is the rent the property is actually realizing at a given time.Also called market rent.

Question 494

Effective age

Answer 494

The typical age of a structure equivalent to the one in question withrespect to its utility and condition. Knowing the effective age of an old, rehabilitated structure or a building with substantial deferred maintenance is generally more informative than knowing its chronological age.

Question 495

Effective depth

Answer 495

In reference to property valuation, that depth, expressed in feet, uponwhich the selection of the depth factor is based.

Question 496

Effective gross income

Answer 496

The estimated gross income of a property less an appropriateallowance for vacancies and collection losses.

Question 497

Effective valuation date

Answer 497

In reference to a revaluation program, the date as of which thevalue estimate is applicable.

Question 498

Eminent domain

Answer 498

The right by which a sovereign government, or some person acting inits name and under its authority, may acquire private property for public or quasi-publicuse upon payment of reasonable compensation and without consent of the owner. The rightor power of the government to take private property for public use upon making justcompensation.

Question 499

Encroachment

Answer 499

The displacement of an existing use by another use.

Question 500

Engineering breakdown

Answer 500

A method of estimating accrued depreciation under whichseparate estimates are made for the individual components and then totaled.