Section 2 - Real Estate Title & Ownership Flashcards
abandonment
The voluntary act of surrendering possession of real property.
abstract of title
A condensed history of title; a written synopsis of all recorded documents affecting the property.
accession
The addition to land by man or nature.
adverse possession
A means by which title may be acquired, through the actual, hostile, open and notorious, exclusive and continuous occupancy by one who does not have title.
allodial system
System of possession of land based on individual ownership, as opposed to the Feudal System.
alluvion (also alluvium)
The results of the natural addition of soil to property by action of flowing water.
appropriation process
Enactment of the taxing body’s budget and sources of revenue into law.
bargain and sale deed
A deed containing no warranties; only implies that the grantor owns the property being conveyed, and has done nothing to cause a defect in title.
bill of sale
An instrument that transfers title to personal property. (Chattels)
caveat emptor
Let the buyer beware.
certificate of occupancy (CO)
A government issued document that states a structure meets local zoning and building code requirement and is ready to use.
certificate of title
A written document signed by a title examiner or attorney stating that in his opinion the seller has good title.
cloud on title
An outstanding claim or encumbrance, which if valid would affect or impair the owner’s title.
code of ethics
Standards of conduct pertaining to a realtor’s relation to his clients, other licensees, and the public that members of the National Association of Realtors endorse.
codicil
A written supplement or amendment to an existing will.
color of title
Apparent title; title that appears to be clear but in fact has a defect that makes it invalid.
community property
Property owned jointly by husband and wife.
concurrent ownership
Ownership by two or more persons at the same time.
conditional use
A land use that does not comply with the general zoning rules for the zone in which it is located, but is permitted there because it benefits the public.
constructive notice
The recording of documents in the public records.
contract for deed
A contract for the sale of real property in which the seller gives up possession of the property but retains title until the total of the purchase price is paid off
conveyance
An instrument used to transfer title to property from one person to another.
cooperative ownership
A system of ownership in which individuals have shares of stock in a corporation that has title to the property.
corporation
A joint business relationship that is regarded by the law as an artificial person. A corporation is owned by its stockholders, and managed by its directors, and operated by its officers. A corporate stockholder has limited liability (i.e. only to the extent of his investment).
decedent
A person who has died.
dedication
To convey private property over to public use.
deed restriction (restrictive covenant)
A clause in a deed limiting or controlling the future use of the property.
deed of reconveyance
The document the trustee gives the trustor when the debt secured by a deed of trust is paid off, releasing the property from the lien.
defeasance clause
A contract clause used to defeat or cancel a certain right upon the occurrence of specific event. A clause within a mortgage that legally binds the lender to release the lien from the title once the mortgage has been satisfied.
deficiency judgment
A general lien on all property of a defaulting debtor, issued when the security for a debt is insufficient to satisfy the debt. (In some states deficiency judgments cannot be obtained.)
delivery and acceptance
A necessary element in the execution of a deed.
devise, devisor, devisee
A gift of real property under a will. The devisor is the giver and the devisee is the recipient.
disclaimer deed
A document signed by a party to disavow any interest in a property.
dominant estate
The interest of the owner of land who has the right to use an appurtenant easement (see servient estate).
dower and curtesy
The legal right or interest that one spouse has in the property of the other spouse.
easement
A specified and limited right or privilege to use another’s property.
easement by prescription
An easement acquired through the open, uninterrupted, and adverse use of another’s real property.
eminent domain
The right of the government to acquire private property for public use.
encroachment
An unauthorized invasion or intrusion upon another’s property.
encumbrance
A legal right or interest held by another that reduces the value of one’s property. Examples: mortgages, leases, liens.
equitable title
Arises out of an agreement that some particular property shall be used as security for a debt or obligation . Examples: vendee’s lien, vendor’s lien.
escheat
Reversion of property to the state when a person dies intestate with no known heirs or when property is abandoned.