realestateadvantage.net

*ABATEMENT OF NUISANCE *– Extinction or termination of a nuisance.
*ABSOLUTE OWNERSHIP *– See /FEE SIMPLE *ESTATE*./
*ABSTRACT OF JUDGMENT – *A condensation of the essential provisions of a
court judgment.
*ABSTRACT OF TITLE – *A summary or digest of all transfers, conveyances,
legal proceedings, and any other facts relied on as evidence of title,
showing
continuity of ownership, together with any other elements of record
which may
impair title.
*ABSTRACTION – *A method of valuing land. The indicated value of the
improvement is deducted from the sale price.
*ACCELERATED COST RECOVERY SYSTEM – *The system for figuring
depreciation (cost recovery) for depreciable *real* property acquired
and placed
into service after January 1, 1981. (ACRS)
*ACCELERATED DEPRECIATION – *A method of cost write-off in which
depreciation allowances are greater in the first few years of ownership
than in
subsequent years. This permits an earlier recovery of capital and a
faster tax
write-off of an asset.
*ACCELERATION CLAUSE – *A condition in a *real* *estate* financing
instrument
giving the lender the power to declare all sums owing lender immediately due
and payable upon the happening of an event, such as sale of the
property, or a
delinquency in the repayment of the note.
*ACCEPTANCE – *The act of agreeing or consenting to the *terms* of an offer
thereby establishing the —meeting of the minds“ that is an essential
element of a
contract.
*ACCESS RIGHT – *The right of an owner to have ingress and egress to and
from
owner‘s property over adjoining property.
*ACCESSION – *An addition to property through the efforts of man or by
natural
forces.
*ACCRETION – *Accession by natural forces, e.g., alluvium.
*ACCRUED DEPRECIATION – *The difference between the cost of
replacement new as of the date of the appraisal and the present
appraised value.
*ACCRUED ITEMS OF EXPENSE – *Those incurred expenses which are not
yet payable. The seller‘s accrued expenses are credited to the purchaser
in a
closing statement.
*ACKNOWLEDGMENT – *A formal declaration made before an authorized
person, e.g., a notary public, by a person who has executed an
instrument stating
that the execution was his or her free act. In this state an
acknowledgment is the
statement by an officer such as a notary that the signatory to the
instrument is
the person represented to be.
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*ACOUSTICAL TILE – *Blocks of fiber, mineral or metal, with small holes or
rough-textured surface to absorb sound, used as covering for interior
walls and
ceilings.
*ACQUISITION – *The act or process by which a person procures property.
*ACRE – *A measure of land equaling 160 square rods, or 4,840 square
yards, or
43,560 square feet, or a tract about 208.71 feet square.
*ACTUAL AUTHORITY – *Authority expressly given by the principal or given
by the law and not denied by the principal.
*ACTUAL FRAUD – *An act intended to deceive another, e.g., making a false
statement, making a promise without intending to perform it, suppressing the
truth.
*ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE (ARM) – *A mortgage loan which bears
interest at a rate subject to change during the term of the loan,
predetermined or
otherwise.
*ADJUSTMENTS – *In appraising, a means by which characteristics of a
residential property are regulated by dollar amount or percentage to
conform to
similar characteristics of another residential property.
*ADMINISTRATOR – *A person appointed by the probate court to administer the
*estate* of a deceased person who died intestate. (Administratrix, the
feminine
form.)
*AD VALOREM – *A Latin phrase meaning —according to value.“ Usually used
in connection with *real* *estate* taxation.
*ADVANCE – *Transfer of funds from a lender to a borrower in advance on a
loan.
*ADVANCE COMMITMENT – *The institutional investor‘s prior agreement to
provide long-term financing upon completion of construction; also known as a
—take-out“ loan commitment.
*ADVANCE FEES – *A fee paid in advance of any services rendered. Sometimes
unlawfully charged in connection with that illegal practice of obtaining
a fee in
advance for the advertising of property or businesses for sale, with no
intent to
obtain a buyer, by persons representing themselves as *real* *estate*
licensees, or
representatives of licensed *real* *estate* firms.
*ADVERSE POSSESSION – *A method of acquiring title to *real* property
through
possession of the property for a statutory period under certain
conditions by a
person other than the owner of record.
*AFFIANT – *One who makes an affidavit or gives evidence.
*AFFIDAVIT – *A statement or declaration reduced to writing sworn to or
affirmed before some officer who has authority to administer an oath or
affirmation.
*AFFIDAVIT OF TITLE – *A statement, in writing, made under oath by seller or
grantor, acknowledged before a Notary Public in which the affiant identifies
himself or herself and affiant‘s marital status certifying that since the
examination of title on the contract date there are no judgments,
bankruptcies or
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divorces, no unrecorded deeds, contracts, unpaid repairs or improvements or
defects of title known to affiant and that affiant is in possession of
the property.
*AFFIRM – *To confirm, to aver, to ratify, to verify. To make a declaration.
*AGENCY – *The relationship between principal and the principal‘s agent
which
arises out of a contract, either expressed or implied, written or oral,
wherein the
agent is employed by the principal to do certain acts dealing with a
third party.
*AGENT – *One who acts for and with authority from another called the
principal.
*AGREEMENT – *An exchange of promises, a mutual understanding or
arrangement; a contract.
*AGREEMENT OF SALE – *A written agreement or contract between seller and
purchaser in which they reach a —meeting of minds“ on the *terms* and
conditions
of the sale. The parties concur; are in harmonious opinion.
*AIR RIGHTS – *The rights in *real* property to the reasonable use of
the air space
above the surface of the land.
*ALIENATION – *The transferring of property to another; the transfer of
property
and possession of lands, or other things, from one person to another.
*ALIENATION CLAUSE – *A clause in a contract giving the lender certain
rights in the event of a sale or other transfer of mortgaged property.
*ALLODIAL TENURE – *A *real* property ownership system where ownership
may be complete except for those rights held by government. Allodial is in
contrast to feudal tenure.
*ALLUVIUM – *The gradual increase of the earth on a shore of an ocean or
bank
of a stream resulting from the action of the water.
*ALTA OWNER‘S POLICY – *An owner‘s extended coverage policy that
provides buyers and owners the same protection the ALTA policy gives to
lenders.
*ALTA TITLE POLICY – *(American Land Title Association) A type of title
insurance policy issued by title insurance companies which expands the risks
normally insured against under the standard type policy to include
unrecorded
mechanic‘s liens; unrecorded physical easements; facts a physical survey
would
show; water and mineral rights; and rights of parties in possession, such as
tenants and buyers under unrecorded instruments.
*AMENITIES – *Satisfaction of enjoyable living to be derived from a home;
conditions of agreeable living or a beneficial influence from the
location of
improvements, not measured in monetary considerations but rather as tangible
and intangible benefits attributable to the property, often causing
greater pride
in ownership.
*AMORTIZATION – *The liquidation of a financial obligation on an installment
basis; also, recovery over a period of cost or value.
*AMORTIZED LOAN – *A loan to be repaid, interest and principal, by a
series of
regular payments that are equal or nearly equal, without any special balloon
payment prior to maturity. Also called a Level Payments Loan.
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*ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE – *The relative cost of credit as determined in
accordance with Regulation Z of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve
System for implementing the Federal Truth in Lending Act.
*ANNUITY – *A sum of money received at fixed intervals, such as a series of
assured equal or nearly equal payments to be made over a period of time,
or it
may be a lump sum payment to be made in the future. The installment payments
due to the landlord under a lease is an annuity. So are the installment
payments
due to a lender.
*ANTICIPATION, PRINCIPLE OF – *Affirms that value is created by
anticipated benefits to be derived in the future.
*APPELLANT – *A party appealing a court decision or ruling.
*APPRAISAL – *An estimate of the value of property resulting from an
analysis of
facts about the property. An opinion of value.
*APPRAISER – *One qualified by education, training and experience who is
hired
to estimate the value of *real* and personal property based on experience,
judgment, facts, and use of formal appraisal processes.
*APPR0PRIATION OF WATER – *The taking, impounding or diversion of
water flowing on the public domain from its natural course and the
application
of the water to some beneficial use personal and exclusive to the
appropriator.
*APPURTENANCE: *That which belongs to something, but not immemorially; all
those rights, privileges, and improvements which belong to and pass with the
transfer of the property, but which are not necessarily a part of the actual
property. Appurtenances to *real* property pass with the *real* property
to which
they are appurtenant, unless a contrary intention is manifested. Typical
appurtenances are rights-of-way, easements, water rights, and any property
improvements.
*APPURTENANT – *Belonging to; adjunct; appended or annexed to. For
example, the garage is appurtenant to the house, and the common interest
in the
common elements of a condominium is appurtenant to each apartment.
Appurtenant items pass with the land when the property is transferred.
*APR – *See ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE.
*ARCHITECTURAL STYLE – *Generally the appearance and character of a
building‘s design and construction.
*ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION – *An instrument setting forth the basic
rules and purposes under which a private corporation is formed.
*ASSESSED VALUATION – *A valuation placed upon a piece of property by a
public authority as a basis for levying taxes on the property.
*ASSESSMENT – *The valuation of property for the purpose of levying a tax or
the amount of the tax levied. Also, payments made to a common interest
subdivision homeowners- association for maintenance and reserves.
*ASSESSOR – *The official who has the responsibility of determining assessed
values.
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*ASSIGNMENT – *A transfer to another of any property in possession or in
action, or of any *estate* or right therein. A transfer by a person of
that person‘s
rights under a contract.
*ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS – *A provision in a deed of trust (or mortgage)
under which the beneficiary may, upon default by the trustor, take
possession of
the property, collect income from the property and apply it to the loan
balance
and the costs incurred by the beneficiary.
*ASSIGNOR – *One who assigns or transfers property.
*ASSIGNS, ASSIGNEES – *Those to whom property or interests therein shall
have been transferred.
*ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT – *An undertaking or adoption of a debt or
obligation primarily resting upon another person.
*ASSUMPTION FEE – *A lender‘s charge for changing over and processing new
records for a new owner who is assuming an existing loan.
*ASSUMPTION OF MORTGAGE – *The taking of a title to property by a
grantee wherein grantee assumes liability for payment of an existing note
secured by a mortgage or deed of trust against the property, becoming a co-
guarantor for the payment of a mortgage or deed of trust note.
*ATTACHMENT – *The process by which *real* or personal property of a
party to
a lawsuit is seized and retained in the custody of the court for the
purpose of
acquiring jurisdiction over the property, to compel an appearance before the
court, or to furnish security for a debt or costs arising out of the
litigation.
*ATTEST – *To affirm to be true or genuine; an official act establishing
authenticity.
*ATTORNEY IN FACT – *One who is authorized by another to perform certain
acts for another under a power of attorney; power of attorney may be
limited to
a specific act or acts or be general.
*AVULSION – *A sudden and perceptible loss of land by the action of
water as by
a sudden change in the course of a river.
*BACKFILL – *The replacement of excavated earth into a hole or against a
structure.
*BALANCE SHEET – *A statement of the financial condition of a business at a
certain time showing assets, liabilities, and capital.
*BALLOON PAYMENT – *An installment payment on a promissory note -
usually the final one for discharging the debt - which is significantly
larger than
the other installment payments provided under the *terms* of the
promissory note.
*BARGAIN AND SALE DEED – *Any deed that recites a consideration and
purports to convey the *real* *estate*; a bargain and sale deed with a
covenant
against the grantor‘s act is one in which the grantor warrants that
grantor has
done nothing to harm or cloud the title.
*BASE AND MERIDIAN – *Imaginary lines used by surveyors to find and
describe the location of private or public lands. In government surveys,
a base
line runs due east and west, meridians run due north and south, and are
used to
establish township boundaries.
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*BASIS – *(1) /Cost Basis–/The dollar amount assigned to property at the
time of
acquisition under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code for the purpose of
determining gain, loss and depreciation in calculating the income tax to
be paid
upon the sale or exchange of the property. (2) /Adjusted Cost Basis–/The
cost
basis after the application of certain additions for improvements, etc., and
deductions for depreciation, etc.
*BEARING WALL – *A wall or partition which supports a part of a building,
usually a roof or floor above.
*BENCH MARK – *A monument used to establish the elevation of the point,
usually relative to Mean Sea Level, but often to some local datum.
*BENEFICIARY – *(1) One entitled to the benefit of a trust; (2) One who
receives
profit from an *estate*, the title of which is vested in a trustee; (3)
The lender on
the security of a note and deed of trust.
*BEQUEATH – *To give or hand down by will; to leave by will.
*BEQUEST – *Personal property given by the *terms* of a will.
*BETTERMENT – *An improvement upon property which increases the property
value and is considered as a capital asset as distinguished from repairs or
replacements where the original character or cost is unchanged.
*BILL OF SALE – *A written instrument given to pass title of personal
property
from vendor to the vendee.
*BINDER – *An agreement to consider a down payment for the purchase of
*real*
*estate* as evidence of good faith on the part of the purchaser. Also, a
notation of
coverage on an insurance policy, issued by an agent, and given to the
insured
prior to issuing of the policy.
*BLANKET MORTGAGE – *A single mortgage which covers more than one
piece of *real* property.
*BLIGHTED AREA – *A district affected by detrimental influences of such
extent
or quantity that *real* property values have seriously declined as a
result of
adverse land use and/or destructive economic forces; characterized by
rapidly
depreciating buildings, retrogression and no recognizable prospects for
improvement. However, renewal programs and changes in use may lead to
resurgence of such areas.
*BLOCKBUSTING *– The practice on the part of unscrupulous speculators or
*real* *estate* agents of inducing panic selling of homes at prices
below market
value, especially by exploiting the prejudices of property owners in
neighborhoods in which the racial make-up is changing or appears to be
on the
verge of changing.
*BONA FIDE – *In good faith; without fraud or deceit; authentic.
*BOND – *Written evidence of an obligation given by a corporation or
government
entity. A surety instrument.
*BOOK VALUE – *The current value for accounting purposes of an asset
expressed as original cost plus capital additions minus accumulated
depreciation.
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*BREACH – *The breaking of a law, or failure of duty, either by omission or
commission.
*BROKER – *A person employed for a fee by another to carry on any of the
activities listed in the license law definition of a broker.
*BROKER-SALESPERSON RELATIONSHIP AGREEMENT – *A written
agreement required by the regulations of the *Real* *Estate*
Commissioner setting
forth the material aspects of the relationship between a *real* *estate*
broker and
each salesperson and broker performing licensed activities in the name
of the
supervising broker.
*B.T.U. – *British thermal unit. The quantity of heat required to raise the
temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
*BUILDING CODE – *A systematic regulation of construction of buildings
within
a municipality established by ordinance or law.
*BUILDING LINE – *A line set by law a certain distance from a street line in
front of which an owner cannot build on owner‘s lot. A setback line.
*BUILDING, MARKET VALUE OF – *The sum of money which the presence
of that structure adds to or subtracts from the value of the land it
occupies. Land
valued on the basis of highest and best use.
*BUILDING RESTRICTIONS – *Zoning, regulatory requirements or provisions
in a deed limiting the type, size and use of a building.
*BUNDLE OF RIGHTS – *All of the legal rights incident to ownership of
property including rights of use, possession, encumbering and disposition.
*BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT – *A federal bureau within the
Department of the Interior which manages and controls certain lands owned by
the United States.
*BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY – *The assets for an existing business enterprise
including its goodwill. As used in the *Real* *Estate* Law, the term
includes —the
sale or lease of the business and goodwill of an existing business
enterprise or
opportunity.“
*BUYDOWN – *See SUBSlDY BUYDOWN.
*BUYER‘S MARKET – *The condition which exists when a buyer is in a more
commanding position as to price and *terms* because *real* property
offered for
sale is in plentiful supply in relation to demand.
*BYLAWS – *Rules for the conduct of the internal affairs of corporations and
other organizations.
*CAL-VET PROGRAM – *A program administered by the State Department of
Veterans Affairs for the direct financing of farm and home purchases by
eligible
California veterans of the armed forces.
*CC&Rs – *Covenants, conditions and restrictions. The basic rules
establishing the
rights and obligations of owners (and their successors in interest) of
*real*
property within a subdivision or other tract of land in relation to
other owners
within the same subdivision or tract and in relation to an association
of owners
organized for the purpose of operating and maintaining property commonly
owned by the individual owners.
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*CCIM – *Certified Commercial Investment Member.
*CPM*
*©*
*– *Certified Property Manager, a designation of the Institute of *Real*
*Estate*
Management.
*CAPITAL ASSETS – *Assets of a permanent nature used in the production of an
income, such as land, buildings, machinery and equipment, etc. Under income
tax law, it is usually distinguishable from —inventory“ which comprises
assets
held for sale to customers in ordinary course of the taxpayer‘s trade or
business.
*CAPITAL GAIN – *At resale of a capital item, the amount by which the
net sale
proceeds exceed the adjusted cost basis (book value). Used for income tax
computations. Gains are called short or long term based upon length of
holding
period after acquisition. Usually taxed at lower rates than ordinary income.
*CAPITALIZATION – *In appraising, determining value of property by
considering net income and percentage of reasonable return on the
investment.
The value of an income property is determined by dividing annual net income
by the Capitalization Rate.
*CAPITALIZATION RATE – *The rate of interest which is considered a
reasonable return on the investment, and used in the process of determining
value based upon net income. It may also be described as the yield rate
that is
necessary to attract the money of the average investor to a particular
kind of
investment. In the case of land improvements which depreciate, to this
yield rate
is added a factor to take into consideration the annual amortization factor
necessary to recapture the initial investment in improvements. This
amortization
factor can be determined in various ways – (1) straight-line depreciation
method, (2) Inwood Tables and (3) Hoskold Tables. (To explore this
subject in
greater depth, the student should refer to current *real* *estate*
appraisal texts.)
*CAP RATE *– See LIFE OF LOAN CAP.
*CASEMENT WINDOWS – *Frames of wood or metal which swing outward.
*CASH FLOW – *The net income generated by a property before depreciation and
other noncash expenses.
*CAVEAT EMPTOR – *Let the buyer beware. The buyer must examine the goods
or property and buy at his or her own risk, absent misrepresentation.
*CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY – *Issued by Department of Veterans
Affairs - evidence of individual‘s eligibility to obtain VA loan.
*CERTIFICATE OF REASONABLE VALUE (CRV) – *The Federal VA
appraisal commitment of property value.
*CERTIFICATE OF TAXES DUE – *A written statement or guaranty of the
condition of the taxes on a certain property made by the County
Treasurer of the
county wherein the property is located. Any loss resulting to any person
from an
error in a tax certificate shall be paid by the county which such treasurer
represents.
*CERTIFICATE OF TITLE – *A written opinion by an attorney that ownership
of the particular parcel of land is as stated in the certificate.
*CHAIN – *A unit of measurement used by surveyors. A chain consists of 100
links equal to 66 feet.
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*CHAIN OF TITLE – *A history of conveyances and encumbrances affecting the
title from the time the original patent was granted, or as far back as
records are
available, used to determine how title came to be vested in current owner.
*CHANGE, PRINCIPLE OF – *Holds that it is the future, not the past, which is
of prime importance in estimating value. Change is largely result of
cause and
effect.
*CHARACTERISTICS – *Distinguishing features of a (residential) property.
*CHATTEL MORTGAGE – *A claim on personal property (instead of *real*
property) used to secure or guarantee a promissory note. (See definition of
Security Agreement and Security Interest.)
*CHATTEL *REAL* – *An *estate* related to *real* *estate*, such as a
lease on *real*
property.
*CHATTELS – *Goods or every species of property movable or immovable which
are not *real* property. Personal property.
*CHOSE IN ACTION – *A personal right to something not presently in the
owner‘s possession, but recoverable by a legal action for possession.
*CIRCUIT BREAKER – *(l) An electrical device which automatically interrupts
an electric circuit when an overload occurs; may be used instead of a
fuse to
protect each circuit and can be reset. (2) In property taxation, a
method for
granting property tax relief to the elderly and disadvantaged qualified
taxpayers
by rebate, tax credits or cash payments. Usually limited to homeowners and
renters.
*CLOSING – *(l) Process by which all the parties to a *real* *estate*
transaction
conclude the details of a sale or mortgage. The process includes the
signing and
transfer of documents and distribution of funds. (2) Condition in
description of
*real* property by courses and distances at the boundary lines where the
lines
meet to include all the tract of land.
*CLOSING COSTS – *The miscellaneous expenses buyers and sellers normally
incur in the transfer of ownership of *real* property over and above the
cost of the
property.
*CLOSING STATEMENT – *An accounting of funds made to the buyer and
seller separately. Required by law to be made at the completion of every
*real*
*estate* transaction.
*CLOUD ON TITLE – *A claim, encumbrance or condition which impairs the
title to *real* property until disproved or eliminated as for example
through a
quitclaim deed or a quiet title legal action.
*CODE OF ETHICS – *A set of rules and principles expressing a standard of
accepted conduct for a professional group and governing the relationship of
members to each other and to the organization.
*COLLATERAL – *Marketable *real* or personal property which a borrower
pledges as security for a loan. In mortgage transactions, specific land
is the
collateral. (See definition of Security Interest. )
*COLLATERAL SECURITY – *A separate obligation attached to contract to
guarantee its performance; the transfer of property or of other
contracts, or
valuables, to insure the performance of a principal agreement.
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*COLLUSION – *An agreement between two or more persons to defraud another
of rights by the forms of law, or to obtain an object forbidden by law.
*COLOR OF TITLE – *That which appears to be good title but which is not
title
in fact.
*COMMERCIAL ACRE – *A term applied to the remainder of an acre of newly
subdivided land after the area devoted to streets, sidewalks and curbs,
etc., has
been deducted from the acre.
*COMMERCIAL LOAN – *A personal loan from a commercial bank, usually
unsecured and short term, for other than mortgage purposes.
*COMMERCIAL PAPER – *Negotiable instruments such as promissory notes,
letters of credit and bills of lading. Instruments developed under the
law of
merchant.
*COMMISSION – *An agent‘s compensation for performing the duties of the
agency; in *real* *estate* practice, a percentage of the selling price
of property,
percentage of rentals, etc. A fee for services.
*COMMITMENT – *A pledge or a promise or firm agreement to do something in
the future, such as a loan company giving a written commitment with specific
*terms* of mortgage loan it will make.
*COMMON AREA – *An entire common interest subdivision except the separate
interests therein.
*COMMON INTEREST SUBDIVISION – *Subdivided lands which include a
separate interest in *real* property combined with an interest in common
with
other owners. The interest in common may be through membership in an
association. Examples are condominiums and stock cooperatives.
*COMMON LAW – *The body of law that grew from customs and practices
developed and used in England —since the memory of man runneth not to the
contrary.“
*COMMON STOCK – *That class of corporate stock to which there is ordinarily
attached no preference with respect to the receipt of dividends or the
distribution of assets on corporate dissolution.
*COMMUNITY PROPERTY – *Property acquired by husband and/or wife
during a marriage when not acquired as the separate property of either
spouse.
Each spouse has equal rights of management, alienation and testamentary
disposition of community property.
*COMPACTION – *Whenever extra soil is added to a lot to fill in low
places or to
raise the level of the lot, the added soil is often too loose and soft
to sustain the
weight of the buildings. Therefore, it is necessary to compact the added
soil so
that it will carry the weight of buildings without the danger of their
tilting,
settling or cracking.
*COMPARABLE SALES – *Sales which have similar characteristics as the
subject property and are used for analysis in the appraisal process.
Commonly
called —comparables“, they are recent selling prices of properties similarly
situated in a similar market.
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*COMPARISON APPROACH – *A *real* *estate* comparison method which
compares a given property with similar or comparable surrounding properties;
also called market comparison.
*COMPETENT – *Legally qualified.
*COMPETITION, PRINCIPLE OF – *Holds that profits tend to breed
competition and excess profits tend to breed ruinous completion.
*COMPOUND INTEREST – *Interest paid on original principal and also on the
accrued and unpaid interest which has accumulated as the debt matures.
*CONCLUSION – *The final estimate of value, realized from facts, data,
experience and judgment, set out in an appraisal. Appraiser‘s certified
conclusion.
*CONDEMNATION – *The act of taking private property for public use by a
political subdivision upon payment to owner of just compensation.
Declaration
that a structure is unfit for use.
*CONDITION – *In contracts, a future and uncertain event which must
happen to
create an obligation or which extinguishes an existent obligation. In
conveyances of *real* property conditions in the conveyance may cause an
interest to be vested or defeated.
*CONDITION PRECEDENT – *A qualification of a contract or transfer of
property, providing that unless and until a given event occurs, the full
effect of a
contract or transfer will not take place.
*CONDITION SUBSEQUENT – *A condition attached to an already-vested
*estate* or to a contract whereby the *estate* is defeated or the contract
extinguished through the failure or non-performance of the condition.
*CONDITIONAL COMMITMENT – *A commitment of a definite loan amount
for some future unknown purchaser of satisfactory credit standing.
*CONDITIONAL *ESTATE* – *Usually called, in California, Fee Simple
Defeasible. An *estate* that is granted subject to a condition
subsequent. The
*estate* is terminable on happening of the condition.
*CONDITIONAL SALE CONTRACT – *A contract for the sale of property
stating that delivery is to be made to the buyer, title to remain vested
in the
seller until the conditions of the contract have been fulfilled. (See
definition of
Security Interest.)
*CONDOMINIUM – *An *estate* in *real* property wherein there is an undivided
interest in common in a portion of *real* property coupled with a
separate interest
in space called a unit, the boundaries of which are described on a
recorded final
map, parcel map or condominium plan. The areas within the boundaries may be
filled with air, earth, or water or any combination and need not be
attached to
land except by easements for access and support.
*CONDOMINIUM DECLARATION – *The document which establishes a
condominium and describes the property rights of the unit owners.
*CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT – *An entry of judgment upon the debtor‘s
voluntary admission or confession.
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*CONFIRMATION OF SALE – *A court approval of the sale of property by an
executor, administrator, guardian or conservator.
*CONFISCATION – *The seizing of property without compensation.
*CONFORMITY, PRINCIPLE OF – *Holds that the maximum of value is
realized when a reasonable degree of homogeneity of improvements is present.
Use conformity is desirable, creating and maintaining higher values.
*CONSERVATION – *The process of utilizing resources in such a manner which
minimizes their depletion.
*CONSIDERATION – *Anything given or promised by a party to induce another
to enter into a contract, e.g., personal services or even love and
affection. It may
be a benefit conferred upon one party or a detriment suffered by the other.
*CONSTANT – *The percentage which, when applied directly to the face
value of
a debt, develops the annual amount of money necessary to pay a specified net
rate of interest on the reducing balance and to liquidate the debt in a
specified
time period. For example, a 6% loan with a 20 year amortization has a
constant
of approximately 8 1/2%. Thus, a $10,000 loan amortized over 20 years
requires an annual payment of approximately $850.00.
*CONSTRUCTION LOAN – *A loan made to finance the actual construction or
improvement on land. Funds are usually dispersed in increments as the
construction progresses.
*CONSTRUCTIVE EVICTION – *Breach of a covenant of warranty or quiet
enjoyment, e.g., the inability of a lessee to obtain possession because of a
paramount defect in title or a condition making occupancy hazardous.
*CONSTRUCTIVE FRAUD – *A breach of duty, as by a person in a fiduciary
capacity, without an actual fraudulent intent, which gains an advantage
to the
person at fault by misleading another to the other‘s prejudice. Any act of
omission declared by law to be fraudulent, without respect to actual fraud.
*CONSTRUCTIVE NOTICE – *Notice of the condition of title to *real* property
given by the official records of a government entity which does not require
actual knowledge of the information.
*CONTIGUOUS – *In close proximity.
*CONTOUR – *The surface configuration of land. Shown on maps as a line
through points of equal elevation.
*CONTRACT – *An agreement to do or not to do a certain thing. It must
have four
essential elements – parties capable of contracting, consent of the
parties, a
lawful object, and consideration. A contract for sale of *real* property
must also
be in writing and signed by the party or parties to be charged with
performance.
*CONTRIBUTION, PRINCIPLE OF – *A component part of a property is
valued in proportion to its contribution to the value of the whole.
Holds that
maximum values are achieved when the improvements on a site produce the
highest (net) return, commensurate with the investment.
*CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE – *A mortgage securing a loan made by
investors without governmental underwriting, i.e., which is not FHA
insured or
VA guaranteed. The type customarily made by a bank or savings and loan
association.
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*CONVERSION – *(1) Change from one legal form or use to another, as
converting an apartment building to condominium use. (2) The unlawful
appropriation of another‘s property, as in the conversion of trust funds.
*CONVEYANCE – *An instrument in writing used to transfer (convey) title to
property from one person to another, such as a deed or a trust deed.
*COOPERATIVE *(apartment) – An apartment building, owned by a corporation
and in which tenancy in an apartment unit is obtained by purchase of
shares of
the stock of the corporation and where the owner of such shares is
entitled to
occupy a specific apartment in the building. In California, this type of
ownership is called a —stock cooperative.“
*CORNER INFLUENCE TABLE – *A statistical table that may be used to
estimate the added value of a corner lot.
*CORPORATION – *An entity established and treated by law as an individual or
unit with rights and liabilities, or both, distinct and apart from those
of the
persons composing it. A corporation is a creature of law having certain
powers
and duties of a natural person. Being created by law it may continue for any
length of time the law prescribes.
*CORPOREAL RIGHTS – *Possessory rights in *real* property.
*CORRECTION LINES – *A system for compensating inaccuracies in the
Government Rectangular Survey System due to the curvature of the earth.
Every
fourth township line, 24 mile intervals, is used as a correction line on
which the
intervals between the north and south range lines are remeasured and
corrected
to a full 6 miles.
*CORRELATION – *A step in the appraisal process involving the interpretation
of data derived from the three approaches to value (cost, market and income)
leading to a single determination of value. Also frequently referred to as
—reconciliation.“
*CO-SIGNER – *A second party who signs a promissory note together with the
primary borrower.
*COST APPROACH – *One of three methods in the appraisal process. An
analysis in which a value estimate of a property is derived by
estimating the
replacement cost of the improvements, deducting therefrom the estimated
accrued depreciation, then adding the market value of the land.
*COTENANCY – *Ownership of an interest in a particular parcel of land by
more
than one person; e.g. tenancy in common, joint tenancy.
*COVENANT – *An agreement or promise to do or not to do a particular act
such
as a promise to build a house of a particular architectural style or to
use or not
use property in a certain way.
*CRAWL HOLE – *Exterior or interior opening permitting access underneath
building, as required by building codes.
*CRE – *Counselor of *Real* *Estate*, Member of American Society of
*Real* *Estate*
Counselors.
*CREDIT – *A bookkeeping entry on the right side of an account,
recording the
reduction or elimination of an asset or an expense, or the creation of
or addition
to a liability or item of equity or revenue.
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*CURABLE DEPRECIATION – *Items of physical deterioration and functional
obsolescence which are customarily repaired or replaced by a prudent
property
owner.
*CURRENT INDEX – *With regard to an adjustable rate mortgage, the current
value of a recognized index as calculated and published nationally or
regionally.
The current index value changes periodically and is used in calculating
the new
note rate as of each rate adjustment date.
*CURTAIL SCHEDULE – *A listing of the amounts by which the principal sum
of an obligation is to be reduced by partial payments and of the dates
when each
payment will become payable.
*DAMAGES – *The indemnity recoverable by a person who has sustained an
injury, either in his or her person, property, or relative rights,
through the act or
default of another. Loss sustained or harm done to a person or property.
*DATA PLANT – *An appraiser‘s file of information on *real* *estate*.
*DEBENTURE – *Bonds issued without security, an obligation not secured by a
specific lien on property.
*DEBIT – *A bookkeeping entry on the left side of an account, recording the
creation of or addition to an asset or an expense, or the reduction or
elimination
of a liability or item of equity or revenue.
*DEBT – *That which is due from one person or another; obligation,
liability.
*DEBTOR – *A person who is in debt; the one owing money to another.
*DECLINING BALANCE DEPRECIATION – *A method of accelerated
depreciation allowed by the IRS in certain circumstances. Double Declining
Balance Depreciation is its most common form and is computed by using
double the rate used for straight line depreciation.
*DECREE OF FORECLOSURE – *Decree by a court ordering the sale of
mortgaged property and the payment of the debt owing to the lender out
of the
proceeds.
*DEDICATION – *The giving of land by its owner to a public use and the
acceptance for such use by authorized officials on behalf of the public.
*DEED – *Written instrument which when properly executed and delivered
conveys title to *real* property from one person (grantor) to another
(grantee).
*DEED IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE – *A deed to *real* property accepted by a
lender from a defaulting borrower to avoid the necessity of foreclosure
proceedings by the lender.
*DEED OF TRUST – *(See Trust Deed.)
*DEED RESTRICTIONS – *Limitations in the deed to a property that dictate
certain uses that may or may not be made of the property.
*DEFAULT – *Failure to fulfill a duty or promise or to discharge an
obligation;
omission or failure to perform any act.
*DEFEASANCE CLAUSE – *The clause in a mortgage that gives the mortgagor
the right to redeem mortgagor‘s property upon the payment of mortgagor‘s
obligations to the mortgagee.
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*DEFEASIBLE FEE – *Sometimes called a base fee or qualified fee; a fee
simple
absolute interest in land that is capable of being defeated or
terminated upon the
happening of a specified event.
*DEFENDANT – *A person against whom legal action is initiated for the
purpose
of obtaining criminal sanctions (criminal defendant) or damages or other
appropriate judicial relief (civil defendant) .
*DEFERRED MAINTENANCE – *Existing but unfulfilled requirements for
repairs and rehabilitation. Postponed or delayed maintenance causing
decline in
a building‘s physical condition.
*DEFERRED PAYMENT OPTIONS – *The privilege of deferring income
payments to take advantage of statutes affording tax benefits.
*DEFICIENCY JUDGMENT – *A judgment given by a court when the value of
security pledged for a loan is insufficient to pay off the debt of the
defaulting
borrower.
*DELEGATION OF POWERS – *The conferring by an agent upon another of all
or certain of the powers that have been conferred upon the agent by the
principal.
*DEPOSIT RECEIPT – *A term used by the *real* *estate* industry to
describe the
written offer to purchase *real* property upon stated term and conditions,
accompanied by a deposit toward the purchase price, which becomes the
contract for the sale of the property upon acceptance by the owner.
*DEPRECIATION – *Loss of value of property brought about by age, physical
deterioration or functional or economic obsolescence. The term is also
used in
accounting to identify the amount of the decrease in value of an asset
that is
allowed in computing the value of the property for tax purposes.
*DEPTH TABLE – *A statistical table that may be used to estimate the
value of
the added depth of a lot.
*DESIST AND REFRAIN ORDER – *An order directing a person to stop from
committing an act in violation of the *Real* *Estate* Law.
*DETERMINABLE FEE – *An *estate* which may end on the happening of an
event that may or may not occur.
*DEVISE – *A gift or disposal of *real* property by last will and testament.
*DEVISEE – *One who receives a gift of *real* property by will.
*DEVISOR – *One who disposes of *real* property by will.
*DIRECTIONAL GROWTH – *The location or direction toward which the
residential sections of a city are destined or determined to grow.
*DISCOUNT – *To sell a promissory note before maturity at a price less
than the
outstanding principal balance of the note at the time of sale. Also an
amount
deducted in advance by the lender from the nominal principal of a loan
as part
of the cost to the borrower of obtaining the loan.
*DISCOUNT POINTS – *The amount of money the borrower or seller must pay
the lender to get a mortgage at a stated interest rate. This amount is
equal to the
difference between the principal balance on the note and the lesser amount
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which a purchaser of the note would pay the original lender for it under
market
conditions. A point equals one percent of the loan.
*DISCRETIONARY POWERS OF AGENCY – *Those powers conferred upon
an agent by the principal which empower the agent in certain
circumstances to
make decisions based on the agent‘s own judgment.
*DISINTERMEDIATION – *The relatively sudden withdrawal of substantial
sums of money savers have deposited with savings and loan associations,
commercial banks, and mutual savings banks. This term can also be considered
to include life insurance policy purchasers borrowing against the value
of their
policies. The essence of this phenomenon is financial intermediaries losing
within a short period of time billions of dollars as owners of funds
held by those
institutional lenders exercise their prerogative of taking them out of
the hands of
these financial institutions.
*DISPOSABLE INCOME – *The after-tax income a household receives to spend
on personal consumption.
*DISPOSSESS – *To deprive one of the use of *real* *estate*.
*DOCUMENTARY TRANSFER TAX – *A state enabling act allows a county to
adopt a documentary transfer tax to apply on all transfers of *real*
property
located in the county. Notice of payment is entered on face of the deed
or on a
separate paper filed with the deed.
*DOCUMENTS – *Legal instruments such as mortgages, contracts, deeds,
options,
wills, bills of sale, etc.
*DONEE – *A person who receives a gift.
*DONOR – *A person who makes a gift.
*DOUBLE DECLINING BALANCE DEPRECIATION – *(See /DECLINING/
/BALANCE DEPRECIATION./)
*DRAW – *Usually applies to construction loans when disbursement of a
portion
of the mortgage is made in advance, as improvements to the property are
made.
*DUAL AGENCY – *An agency relationship in which the agent acts concurrently
for both of the principals in a transaction.
*DUE ON SALE CLAUSE – *An acceleration clause granting the lender the right
to demand full payment of the mortgage upon a sale of the property.
*DURESS – *Unlawful constraint exercised upon a person whereby he or she is
forced to do some act against his or her will.
*EARNEST MONEY – *Down payment made by a purchaser of *real* *estate* as
evidence of good faith. A deposit or partial payment.
*EASEMENT – *A right, privilege or interest limited to a specific
purpose which
one party has in the land of another.
*ECONOMIC LIFE – *The period over which a property will yield a return
on the
investment over and above the economic or ground rent due to land.
*ECONOMIC OBSOLESCENCE – *A loss in value due to factors away from the
subject property but adversely affecting the value of the subject property.
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*ECONOMIC RENT – *The reasonable rental expectancy if the property were
available for renting at the time of its valuation.
*EFFECTIVE AGE OF IMPROVEMENT – *The number of years of age that is
indicated by the condition of the structure, distinct from chronological
age.
*EFFECTIVE DATE OF VALUE – *The specific day the conclusion of value
applies.
*EFFECTIVE INTEREST RATE – *The percentage of interest that is actually
being paid by the borrower for the use of the money, distinct from nominal
interest.
*EMINENT DOMAIN – *The right of the government to acquire property for
necessary public or quasi-public use by condition; the owner must be fairly
compensated and the right of the private citizen to get paid is spelled
out in the
5th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
*ENCROACHMENT – *An unlawful intrusion onto another‘s adjacent property
by improvements to *real* property, e.g. a swimming pool built across a
property
line.
*ENCUMBRANCE – *Anything which affects or limits the fee simple title to or
value of property, e.g., mortgages or easements.
*EQUITY – *The interest or value which an owner has in *real* *estate*
over and
above the liens against it. Branch of remedial justice by and through which
relief is afforded to suitors in courts of equity.
*EQUITY BUILD-UP – *The increase of owner‘s equity in property due to
mortgage principal reduction and value appreciation.
*EQUITY PARTICIPATION – *A mortgage transaction in which the lender, in
addition to receiving a fixed rate of interest on the loan acquires an
interest in
the borrower‘s *real* property, and shares in the profits derived from
the *real*
property.
*EQUITY OF REDEMPTION – *The right to redeem property during the
foreclosure period, such as a mortgagor‘s right to redeem within either
3 months
or 1 year as may be permitted after foreclosure sale.
*EROSION – *The wearing away of land by the act of water, wind or
glacial ice.
*ESCALATION – *The right reserved by the lender to increase the amount
of the
payments and/or interest upon the happening of a certain event.
*ESCALATOR CLAUSE – *A clause in a contract providing for the upward or
downward adjustment of certain items to cover specified contingencies,
usually
tied to some index or event. Often used in long term leases to provide
for rent
adjustments, to cover tax and maintenance increases.
*ESCHEAT – *The reverting of property to the State when heirs capable of
inheriting are lacking.
*ESCROW – *The deposit of instruments and/or funds with instructions with a
third neutral party to carry out the provisions of an agreement or contract.
*ESCROW AGENT – *The neutral third party holding funds or something of
value in trust for another or others.
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**ESTATE* – *As applied to *real* *estate*, the term signifies the
quantity of interest,
share, right, equity, of which riches or fortune may consist in *real*
property. The
degree, quantity, nature and extent of interest which a person has in *real*
property.
**ESTATE* OF INHERITANCE – *An *estate* which may descend to heirs. All
freehold estates are estates of inheritance, except estates for life.
**ESTATE* FOR LIFE – *A possessory, freehold *estate* in land held by a
person
only for the duration of his or her life or the life or lives of another.
**ESTATE* FROM PERIOD TO PERIOD – *An interest in land where there is no
definite termination date but the rental period is fixed at a certain
sum per week,
month, or year. Also called a periodic tenancy.
**ESTATE* AT SUFFERANCE – *An *estate* arising when the tenant wrongfully
holds over after the expiration of the term. The landlord has the choice of
evicting the tenant as a trespasser or accepting such tenant for a
similar term and
under the conditions of the tenant‘s previous holding. Also called a
tenancy at
sufferance.
**ESTATE* AT WILL – *The occupation of lands and tenements by a tenant
for an
indefinite period, terminable by one or both parties.
**ESTATE* FOR YEARS – *An interest in lands by virtue of a contract for the
possession of them for a definite and limited period of time. May be for
a year
or less. A lease may be said to be an *estate* for years.
*ESTIMATE – *A preliminary opinion of value. Appraise, set a value.
*ESTIMATED REMAINING LIFE – *The period of time (years) it takes for the
improvements to become valueless.
*ESTOPPEL – *A legal theory under which a person is barred from asserting or
denying a fact because of the person‘s previous acts or words.
*ETHICS – *That branch of moral science, idealism, justness, and
fairness, which
treats of the duties which a member of a profession or craft owes to the
public,
client or partner, and to professional brethren or members. Accepted
standards
of right and wrong. Moral conduct, behavior or duty.
*ET UX – *Abbreviation for —et uxor.“ Means —and wife.“
*EVICTION – *Dispossession by process of law. The act of depriving a
person of
the possession of lands in pursuance of the judgment of a court.
*EXCEPTIONS – *Matters affecting title to a particular parcel of *real*
property
which are included from coverage of a title insurance policy.
*EXCHANGE – *A means of trading equities in two or more *real* properties,
treated as a single transaction through a single escrow.
*EXCLUSION – *General matters affecting title to *real* property
excluded from
coverage of a title insurance policy.
*EXCLUSIVE AGENCY LISTING – *A listing agreement employing a broker as
the sole agent for the seller of *real* property under the *terms* of
which the broker
is entitled to a commission if the property is sold through any other
broker, but
not if a sale is negotiated by the owner without the services of an agent.
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*EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO SELL LISTING – *A listing agreement employing a
broker to act as agent for the seller of *real* property under the
*terms* of which the
broker is entitled to a commission if the property is sold during the
duration of
the listing through another broker or by the owner without the services
of an
agent.
*EXECUTE – *To complete, to make, to perform, to do, to follow out; to
execute a
deed, to make a deed, including especially signing, sealing and delivery; to
execute a contract is to perform the contract, to follow out to the end, to
complete.
*EXECUTOR – *A man named in a will to carry out its provisions as to the
disposition of the *estate* of a deceased person. (A woman is executrix.)
*EXECUTORY CONTRACT – *A contract in which something remains to be
done by one or both of the parties.
*EXPENSES – *Certain items which appear on a closing statement in connection
with a *real* *estate* sale.
*FACADE – *The front of a building, often used to refer to a false front
and as a
metaphor.
*FAIR MARKET VALUE*. This is the amount of money that would be paid for a
property offered on the open market for a reasonable period of time with
both
buyer and seller knowing all the uses to which the property could be put and
with neither party being under pressure to buy or sell.
*FANNIE MAE – *An acronymic nickname for Federal National Mortgage
Association (FNMA).
*FARMERS HOME ADMINISTRATION – *An agency of the Department of
Agriculture. Primary responsibility is to provide financial assistance
for farmers
and others living in rural areas where financing is not available on
reasonable
*terms* from private sources.
*FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION – *(FDIC) Agency of
the federal government which insures deposits at commercial banks, savings
banks and savings and loans.
*FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION – *An
independent stock company which creates a secondary market in conventional
residential loans and in FHA and VA loans by purchasing mortgages.
*FEDERAL HOUSING ADMINISTRATION – (FHA) *An agency of the
federal government that insures private mortgage loans for financing of
new and
existing homes and home repairs.
*FEDERAL LAND BANK SYSTEM – *Federal government agency making long
term loans to farmers.
*FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION – (FNMA) *—Fannie
Mae“ a quasipublic agency converted into a private corporation whose primary
function is to buy and sell FHA and VA mortgages in the secondary market.
*FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM – *The federal banking system of the United
States under the control of central board of governors (Federal Reserve
Board)
involving a central bank in each of twelve geographical districts with broad
powers in controlling credit and the amount of money in circulation.
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*FEE – *An *estate* of inheritance in *real* property.
*FEE SIMPLE DEFEASIBLE – *An *estate* in fee subject to the occurrence of a
condition subsequent whereby the *estate* may be terminated.
*FEE SIMPLE *ESTATE* – *The greatest interest that one can have in *real*
property. An *estate* that is unqualified, of indefinite duration,
freely transferable
and inheritable.
*FEUDAL TENURE – *A *real* property ownership system in which ownership
rests with a sovereign who may grant lesser interests in return for
service or
loyalty. This is in contrast to allodial tenure.
*FHLMC – *See FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION.
*FIDELITY BOND – *A security posted for the discharge of an obligation of
personal services.
*FIDUCIARY – *A person in a position of trust and confidence, as between
principal and broker; broker as fiduciary owes certain loyalty which
cannot be
breached under the rules of agency.
*FIDUCIARY DUTY – *That duty owed by an agent to act in the highest good
faith toward the principal and not to obtain any advantage over the
latter by the
slightest misrepresentation, concealment, duress or pressure.
*FILTERING – *The process whereby higher-priced properties become available
to lower income buyers.
*FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY – *Financial institutions such as commercial
banks, savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks and life
insurance
companies which receive relatively small sums of money from the public and
invest them in the form of large sums. A considerable portion of these
funds are
loaned on real estate.
*FINANCING PROCESS – *The systematic 5 step procedure followed by major
institutional lenders in analyzing a proposed loan, which includes –
filing of
application by a borrower; lender‘s analysis of borrower and property;
processing of loan documentation; closing (paying) the loan; and servicing
(collection and record keeping).
*FINANCING STATEMENT – *The instrument which is filed in order to give
public notice of the security interest and thereby protect the interest
of the
secured parties in the collateral. (See definition of Security Interest
and Secured
Party.)
*FIRST MORTGAGE – *A legal document pledging collateral for a loan (See
—mortgage“) that has first priority over all other claims against the
property
except taxes and bonded indebtedness. That mortgage superior to any other.
*FIRST TRUST DEED – *A legal document pledging collateral for a loan (See
—trust deed“) that has first priority over all other claims against the
property
except taxes and bonded indebtedness. That trust deed superior to any other.
*FISCAL CONTROLS – *Federal tax revenue and expenditure policies used to
control the level of economic activity.
*FISCAL YEAR – *A business or accounting year as distinguished from a
calendar year.
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*FIXITY OF LOCATION – *The physical characteristic of real estate that
subjects it to the influence of its surroundings.
*FIXTURES – *Appurtenances attached to the land or improvements, which
usually cannot be removed without agreement as they become real property;
examples – plumbing fixtures, store fixtures built into the property, etc.
*FORECLOSURE – *Procedure whereby property pledged as security for a debt
is sold to pay the debt in event of default in payments or terms.
*FORFEITURE – *Loss of money or anything of value, due to failure to
perform.
*FRANCHISE – *A specified privilege awarded by a government or business firm
which awards an exclusive dealership.
*FRAUD – *The intentional and successful employment of any cunning,
deception,
collusion, or artifice, used to circumvent, cheat or deceive another person
whereby that person acts upon it to the loss of property and to legal
injury.
(Actual Fraud – A deliberate misrepresentation or representation made in
reckless disregard of its truth or its falsity, the suppression of
truth, a promise
made without the intention to perform it, or any other act intended to
deceive.)
*FRAUDS, STATUTE OF – *(See Statute of Frauds.)
*—FREDDIE MAC“ *– (See FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE
CORPORATION.)
*FREEHOLD ESTATE – *An estate of indeterminable duration, e.g., fee simple
or life estate.
*FRONTAGE – *A term used to describe or identify that part of a parcel
of land or
an improvement on the land which faces a street. The term is also used
to refer
to the lineal extent of the land or improvement that is parallel to and
facing the
street, e.g., a 75-foot frontage.
*FRONT FOOT – *Property measurement for sale or valuation purposes; the
property measured by the front linear foot on its street line–each front
foot
extending the depth of the lot.
*FRONT MONEY – *The minimum amount of money necessary to initiate a real
estate venture, to get the transaction underway.
*FROSTLINE – *The depth of frost penetration in the soil. Varies in
different
parts of the country. Footings should be placed below this depth to prevent
movement.
*FULLY INDEXED NOTE RATE – *As related to adjustable rate mortgages, the
index value at the time of application plus the gross margin stated in
the note.
*FUNCTIONAL OBSOLESCENCE – *A loss of value due to adverse factors
from within the structure which affect the utility of the structure,
value and
marketability.
*FUTURE BENEFITS – *The anticipated benefits the present owner will receive
from the property in the future.
*GABLE ROOF – *A pitched roof with sloping sides.
*GAIN – *A profit, benefit, or value increase.
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*GAMBREL ROOF – *A curb roof, having a steep lower slope with a flatter
upper slope above.
*GENERAL LIEN – *A lien on all the property of a debtor.
*GIFT DEED – *A deed for which there is no consideration.
*GOODWILL – *An intangible but salable asset of a business derived from the
expectation of continued public patronage.
*GOVERNMENT NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION – *An agency
of HUD, which functions in the secondary mortgage market, primarily in
social
housing programs. Commonly called by the acronymic nickname —Ginnie Mae“
(GNMA).
*GOVERNMENT SURVEY – *A method of specifying the location of parcel of
land using prime meridians, base lines, standard parallels, guide meridians,
townships and sections.
*GRADE – *Ground level at the foundation.
*GRADUATED LEASE – *Lease which provides for a varying rental rate, often
based upon future determination; sometimes rent is based upon result of
periodical appraisals; used largely in long-term leases.
*GRADUATED PAYMENT MORTGAGE – *Providing for partially deferred
payments of principal at start of loan. (There are a variety of plans.)
Usually
after the first five years of the loan term the principal and interest
payment are
substantially higher, to make up principal portion of payments lost at the
beginning of the loan. (See Variable Interest Rate.)
*GRANT – *A technical legal term in a deed of conveyance bestowing an
interest
in real property on another. The words —convey“ and —transfer“ have the same
effect.
*GRANT DEED – *A limited warranty deed using the word —grant“ or like words
that assures a grantee that the grantor has not already conveyed the land to
another and that the estate is free from encumbrances placed by the grantor.
*GRANTEE – *A person to whom a grant is made.
*GRANTOR – *A person who transfers his or her interest in property to
another by
grant.
*GRATUITOUS AGENT – *A person not paid by the principal for services on
behalf of the principal, who cannot be forced to act as an agent, but who
becomes bound to act in good faith and obey a principal‘s instructions
once he
or she undertakes to act as an agent.
*GRID – *A chart used in rating the borrower risk, property and the
neighborhood.
*GROSS INCOME – *Total income from property before any expenses are
deducted.
*GROSS MARGIN – *With regard to an adjustable rate mortgage, an amount
expressed as percentage points, stated in the note which is added to the
current
index value on the rate adjustment date to establish the new note rate.
*GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT (GNP) – *The total value of all goods and
services produced in an economy during a given period of time.
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*GROSS RATE – *A method of collecting interest by adding total interest
to the
principal of the loan at the outset of the term.
*GROSS RENT MULTIPLIER – *A number which, times the gross income of a
property, produces an estimate of value of the property. Example – The gross
income from an unfurnished apartment building is $200,000 per annum. If an
appraiser uses a gross multiplier of 7%, then it is said that based on
the gross
multiplier the value of the building is $1,400,000.
*GROUND LEASE – *An agreement for the use of the land only, sometimes
secured by improvements placed on the land by the user.
*GROUND RENT – *Earnings of improved property credited to earnings of the
ground itself after allowance is made for earnings of improvements; often
termed economic rent.
*HABENDUM CLAUSE – *The —to have and to hold“ clause which may be found
in a deed.
*HEIR – *One who inherits property at the death of the owner of the
land, if the
owner has died without a will.
*HIGHEST AND BEST USE – *An appraisal phrase meaning that use which at
the time of an appraisal is most likely to produce the greatest net
return to the
land and/or buildings over a given period of time; that use which will
produce
the greatest amount of amenities or profit. This is the starting point for
appraisal.
*HIP ROOF – *A pitched roof with sloping sides and ends.
*HOLDER IN DUE COURSE – *One who has taken a note, check or bill of
exchange in due course:
1. before it was overdue;
2. in good faith and for value; and
3. without knowledge that it has been previously dishonored and without
notice
of any defect at the time it was negotiated to him or her.
*HOLDOVER TENANT – *Tenant who remains in possession of leased property
after the expiration of the lease term.
*HOMESTEAD – (exemption) – *A statutory protection of real property used as
a home from the claims of certain creditors and judgments up to a specified
amount.
*HOUSING FINANCIAL DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 1977 (Holden Act) –*
California Health and Safety Code Section 35800, et seq., designed
primarily to
eliminate discrimination in lending practices based upon the character
of the
neighborhood in which real property is located. (See Redlining.)
*HUD – *The Department of Housing and Urban Development which is
responsible for the implementation and administration of U.S. government
housing and urban development programs.
*HUNDRED PERCENT LOCATION – *A city retail business location which is
considered the best available for attracting business.
*HYPOTHECATE – *To pledge a thing as security without the necessity of
giving
up possession of it.
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*IMPERATIVE NECESSITY – *Circumstances under which an agent has
expanded authority in an emergency, including the power to disobey
instructions where it is clearly in the interests of the principal and
where there is
no time to obtain instructions from the principal.
*IMPOUNDS – *A trust type account established by lenders for the
accumulation
of borrowers funds to meet periodic payment of taxes, FHA mortgage insurance
premiums, and/or future insurance policy premiums, required to protect their
security. Impounds are usually collected with the note payment. The combined
principal, interest, taxes and insurance payment is commonly termed a PITI
payment.
*INCOME (CAPITALIZATION) APPROACH – *One of the three methods of
the appraisal process generally applied to income producing property, and
involves a three-step process– (1) find net annual income, (2) set an
appropriate capitalization rate or —present worth“ factor, and (3)
capitalize the
income dividing the net income by the capitalization rate.
*INCOMPETENT – *One who is mentally incompetent, incapable; any person
who, though not insane, is, by reason of old age, disease, weakness of
mind, or
any other cause, unable, unassisted, to properly manage and take care of
self or
property and by reason thereof would be likely to be deceived or imposed
upon
by artful or designing persons.
*INCORPOREAL RIGHTS – *Nonpossessory rights in real estate, a rising out of
ownership, such as rents.
*INCREMENT – *An increase. Most frequently used to refer to the increase of
value of land that accompanies population growth and increasing wealth
in the
community. The term —unearned increment“ is used in this connection since
values are supposed to have increased without effort on the part of the
owner.
*INDEMNITY AGREEMENT – *An agreement by the maker of the document to
repay the addressee of the agreement up to the limit stated for any loss
due to
the contingency stated on the agreement.
*INDENTURE – *A formal written instrument made between two or more persons
in different interests, such as a lease.
*INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR – *A person who acts for another but who
sells final results and whose methods of achieving those results are not
subject
to the control of another.
*INDORSEMENT – *The act of signing one‘s name on the back of a check or
note, with or without further qualification.
*INITIAL NOTE RATE – *With regard to an adjustable rate mortgage, the note
rate upon origination. This rate may differ from the fully indexed note
rate.
*INITIAL RATE DISCOUNT – *As applies to an adjustable rate mortgage, the
index value at the time of loan application plus the margin less the
initial note
rate.
*INJUNCTION – *A writ or order issued under the seal of a court to
restrain one
or more parties to a suit or proceeding from doing an act which is
deemed to be
inequitable or unjust in regard to the rights of some other party or
parties in the
suit or proceeding.
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*INSTALLMENT NOTE – *A note which provides for a series of periodic
payments of principal and interest, until amount borrowed is paid in
full. This
periodic reduction of principal amortizes the loan.
*INSTALLMENT REPORTING – *A method of reporting capital gains by
installments for successive tax years to minimize the impact of the
totality of the
capital gains tax in the year of the sale.
*INSTALLMENT SALES CONTRACT – *Commonly called contract of sale or
—land contract.“ Purchase of real estate wherein the purchase price is
paid in
installments over a long period of time, title is retained by seller,
and upon
default by buyer (vendee) the payments may be forfeited.
*INSTITUTIONAL LENDERS – *A financial intermediary or depository, such as
a savings and loan association, commercial bank, or life insurance company,
which pools money of its depositors and then invests funds in various ways,
including trust deed and mortgage loans.
*INSTRUMENT – *A written legal document; created to effect the rights of the
parties, giving formal expression to a legal act or agreement for the
purpose of
creating, modifying or terminating a right. Real estate lenders‘ basic
instruments
are – promissory notes, deeds of trust, mortgages, installment sales
contracts,
leases, assignments.
*INTEREST – *A portion, share or right in something. Partial, not complete
ownership. The charge in dollars for the use of money for a period of
time. In a
sense, the —rent“ paid for the use of money.
*INTEREST EXTRA LOAN – *A loan in which a fixed amount of principal is
repaid in installments along with interest accrued each period on the
amount of
the then outstanding principal only.
*INTEREST ONLY LOAN – *A straight, non-amortizing loan in which the lender
receives only interest during the term of the loan and principal is
repaid in a
lump sum at maturity.
*INTEREST RATE – *The percentage of a sum of money charged for its use.
Rent or charge paid for use of money, expressed as a percentage per month or
year of the sum borrowed.
*INTERIM LOAN – *A short-term, temporary loan used until permanent
financing is available, e.g., a construction loan.
*INTERMEDIATION – *The process of pooling and supplying funds for
investment by financial institutions called intermediaries. The process is
dependent on individual savers placing their funds with these
institutions and
foregoing opportunities to directly invest in the investments selected.
*INTERPLEADER – *A court proceeding initiated by the stakeholder of property
who claims no proprietary interest in it for the purpose of deciding who
among
claimants is legally entitled to the property.
*INTERVAL OWNERSHIP – *A form of timeshare ownership. (See Timeshare
Ownership.)
*INTESTATE – *A person who dies having made no will, or one which is
defective in form, is said to have died intestate, in which case the estate
descends to the heirs at law or next of kin.
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*INVOLUNTARY LIEN – *A lien imposed against property without consent of
an owner; example – taxes, special assessments, federal income tax
liens, etc.
*IRREVOCABLE – *Incapable of being recalled or revoked, unchangeable.
*IRRIGATION DISTRICTS – *Quasi-political districts created under special
laws to provide for water services to property owners in the district; an
operation governed to a great extent by law.
*JOINT NOTE – *A note signed by two or more persons who have equal liability
for payment.
*JOINT TENANCY – *Undivided ownership of a property interest by two or more
persons each of whom has a right to an equal share in the interest and a
right of
survivorship, i.e., the right to share equally with other surviving
joint tenants in
the interest of a deceased joint tenant.
*JOINT VENTURE – *Two or more individuals or firms joining together on a
single project as partners.
*JUDGMENT – *The final determination of a court of competent
jurisdiction of a
matter presented to it; money judgments provide for the payment of claims
presented to the court, or are awarded as damages, etc.
*JUDGMENT LIEN – *A legal claim on all of the property of a judgment debtor
which enables the judgment creditor to have the property sold for payment of
the amount of the judgment.
*JUNIOR MORTGAGE – *A mortgage recorded subsequently to another
mortgage on the same property or made subordinate by agreement to a later-
recorded mortgage.
*JURISDICTION – *The authority by which judicial officers take cognizance of
and decide causes; the power to hear and determine a cause; the right
and power
which a judicial officer has to enter upon the inquiry.
*LACHES – *Delay or negligence in asserting one‘s legal rights.
*LAND – *The material of the earth, whatever may be the ingredients of
which it is
composed, whether soil, rock, or other substance, and includes free or
unoccupied space for an indefinite distance upwards as well as downwards.
*LAND CONTRACT – *A contract used in a sale of real property whereby the
seller retains title to the property until all or a prescribed part of
the purchase
price has been paid. Also commonly called a conditional sales contract,
installment sales contract or real property sales contract. (See REAL
PROPERTY SALES CONTRACT for statutory definition.)
*LAND AND IMPROVEMENT LOAN – *A loan obtained by the builder-
developer for the purchase of land and to cover expenses for subdividing.
*LANDLORD – *One who rents his or her property to another. The lessor
under a
lease.
*LATE CHARGE – *A charge assessed by a lender against a borrower failing to
make loan installment payments when due.
*LATER DATE ORDER – *The commitment for an owner‘s title insurance policy
issued by a title insurance company which covers the seller‘s title as
of the date
of the contract. When the sale closes the purchaser orders the title
company to
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record the deed to purchaser and bring down their examination to cover this
later date so as to show purchaser as owner of the property.
*LATERAL SUPPORT – *The support which the soil of an adjoining owner gives
to a neighbor‘s land.
*LEASE – *A contract between owner and tenant, setting forth conditions upon
which tenant may occupy and use the property and the term of the occupancy.
Sometimes used as an alternative to purchasing property outright, as a
method
of financing right to occupy and use real property.
*LEASEHOLD ESTATE – *A tenant‘s right to occupy real estate during the term
of the lease. This is a personal property interest.
*LEGAL DESCRIPTION – *A land description recognized by law; a description
by which property can be definitely located by reference to government
surveys
or approved recorded maps.
*LESSEE – *One who contracts to rent, occupy, and use property under a lease
agreement; a tenant.
*LESSOR – *An owner who enters into a lease agreement with a tenant; a
landlord.
*LEVEL-PAYMENT MORTGAGE – *A loan on real estate that is paid off by
making a series of equal (or nearly equal) regular payments. Part of the
payment
is usually interest on the loan and part of it reduces the amount of the
unpaid
principal balance of the loan. Also sometimes called an —amortized mortgage“
or —installment mortgage.“
*LEVERAGE – *The use of debt financing of an investment to maximize the
return per dollar of equity invested.
*LIEN – *A form of encumbrance which usually makes specific property
security
for the payment of a debt or discharge of an obligation. Example –
judgments,
taxes, mortgages, deeds of trust, etc.
*LIFE ESTATE – *An estate or interest in real property, which is held
for the
duration of the life of some certain person. It may be limited by the
life of the
person holding it or by the life of some other person.
*LIFE OF LOAN CAP (CAP RATE) – *With regard to an adjustable rate
mortgage, a ceiling the note rate cannot exceed over the life of the loan.
*LIMITATIONS, STATUTE OF – *The commonly used identifying term for
various statutes which require that a legal action be commenced within a
prescribed time after the accrual of the right to seek legal relief.
*LIMITED PARTNERSHIP – *A partnership consisting of a general partner or
partners and limited partners in which the general partners manage and
control
the business affairs of the partnership while limited partners are
essentially
investors taking no part in the management of the partnership and having no
liability for the debts of the partnership in excess of their invested
capital.
*LINTEL – *A horizontal board that supports the load over an opening
such as a
door or window.
*LIQUIDATED DAMAGES – *A sum agreed upon by the parties to be full
damages if a certain event occurs.
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*LIQUIDATED DAMAGES CLAUSE – *A clause in a contract by which the
parties by agreement fix the damages in advance for a breach of the
contract.
*LIQUIDITY – *Holdings in or the ability to convert assets to cash or its
equivalent. The ease with which a person is able to pay maturing
obligations.
*LIS PENDENS – *A notice filed or recorded for the purpose of warning all
persons that the title or right to the possession of certain real
property is in
litigation; literally —suit pending;“ usually recorded so as to give
constructive
notice of pending litigation.
*LISTING – *An employment contract between principal and agent
authorizing the
agent to perform services for the principal involving the latter‘s
property; listing
contracts are entered into for the purpose of securing persons to buy,
lease, or
rent property. Employment of an agent by a prospective purchaser or
lessee to
locate property for purchase or lease may be considered a listing.
*LIVERY OF SEISIN (SEIZIN) – *The appropriate ceremony at common law for
transferring the possession of lands by a grantor to a grantee.
*LOAN ADMINISTRATION – *Also called loan servicing Mortgage bankers not
only originate loans, but also —service“ them from origination to
maturity of the
loan through handling of loan payments, delinquencies, impounds, payoffs and
releases.
*LOAN APPLICATION – *The loan application is a source of information on
which the lender bases a decision to make the loan; defines the terms of
the loan
contract, gives the name of the borrower, place of employment, salary, bank
accounts, and credit references, and describes the real estate that is to be
mortgaged. It also stipulates the amount of loan being applied for and
repayment terms.
*LOAN CLOSING – *When all conditions have been met, the loan officer
authorizes the recording of the trust deed or mortgage. The disbursal
procedure
of funds is similar to the closing of a real estate sales escrow. The
borrower can
expect to receive less than the amount of the loan, as title, recording,
service,
and other fees may be withheld, or can expect to deposit the cost of
these items
into the loan escrow. This process is sometimes called —funding“ the loan.
*LOAN COMMITMENT – *Lender‘s contractual commitment to make a loan
based on the appraisal and underwriting.
*LOAN-TO-VALUE RATI0 – *The percentage of a property‘s value that a lender
can or may loan to a borrower. For example, if the ratio is 80% this
means that a
lender may loan 80% of the property‘s appraised value to a borrower.
*MAI – *Member of the Appraisal Institute. Designates a person who is a
member
of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers.
*MARGIN OF SECURITY – *The difference between the amount of the
mortgage loan (s) and the appraised value of the property.
*MARGINAL LAND – *Land which barely pays the cost of working or using.
*MARKET DATA APPROACH – *One of the three methods in the appraisal
process. A means of comparing similar type properties, which have recently
sold, to the subject property. Commonly used in comparing residential
properties.
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*MARKET PRICE – *The price paid regardless of pressures, motives or
intelligence.
*MARKET VALUE – *The highest price in terms of money which a property will
bring in a competitive and open market and under all conditions required
for a
fair sale, i.e., the buyer and seller acting prudently, knowledgeably
and neither
affected by undue pressures.
*MARKETABLE TITLE – *Title which a reasonable purchaser, informed as to
the facts and their legal importance and acting with reasonable care,
would be
willing and ought to accept.
*MATERIAL FACT – *A fact is material if it is one which the agent should
realize would be likely to affect the judgment of the principal in
giving his or
her consent to the agent to enter into the particular transaction on the
specified
terms.
*MECHANIC‘S LIEN – *A lien created by statute which exists against real
property in favor of persons who have performed work or furnished materials
for the improvement of the real property.
*MERIDIANS – *Imaginary north-south lines which intersect base lines to
form a
starting point for the measurement of land.
*MESNE PROFITS – *Profit from land use accruing between two periods as for
example moneys owed to the owner of land by a person who has illegally
occupied the land after the owner takes title, but before taking possession.
*METES AND BOUNDS – *A term used in describing the boundary lines of land,
setting forth all the boundary lines together with their terminal points and
angles. Metes (length or measurements) and Bounds (boundaries)
description is
often used when a great deal of accuracy is required.
*MILE – *5,280 feet.
*MINOR – *A person under 18 years of age.
*MISPLACED IMPROVEMENTS – *Improvements on land which do not
conform to the most profitable use of the site.
*MISREPRESENTATION – *A false or misleading statement or assertion.
*MOBILEHOME – *As defined in Business and Professions Code Section
10131.6(c), —mobilehome“ means a structure transportable in one or more
sections, designed and equipped to contain not more than two dwelling
units to
be used with or without a foundation system. —Mobilehome“ does not include a
recreational vehicle, as defined in Section 18010.5 of the Health and Safety
Code, a commercial coach, as defined in Section 18012 of the Health and
Safety Code, or factory-built housing, as defined in Section 19971 of
the Health
and Safety Code.
*MODULAR – *A system for the construction of dwellings and other
improvements to real property through the on-site assembly of component
parts
(modules) that have been mass produced away from the building site.
*MOLDINGS – *Usually patterned strips used to provide ornamental
variation of
outline or contour, such as cornices, bases, window and door jambs.
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*MONETARY CONTROLS – *Federal Reserve tools for regulating the
availability of money and credit to influence the level of economic
activity, such
as adjusting discount rates, reserve requirements, etc.
*MONUMENT – *A fixed object and point established by surveyors to establish
land locations.
*MORATORIUM – *The temporary suspension, usually by statute, of the
enforcement of liability of debt. Temporary suspension of development or
utilities connections imposed by local government.
*MORTGAGE – *An instrument recognized by law by which property is
hypothecated to secure the payment of a debt or obligation; a procedure for
foreclosure in event of default is established by statute.
*MORTGAGE BANKER – *A person whose principal business is the originating,
financing, closing, selling and servicing of loans secured by real
property for
institutional lenders on a contractual basis.
*MORTGAGE CONTRACTS WITH WARRANTS – *Warrants make the
mortgage more attractive to the lender by providing both the greater
security
that goes with a mortgage, and the opportunity of a greater return
through the
right to buy either stock in the borrower‘s company or a portion of the
income
property itself.
*MORTGAGE GUARANTY INSURANCE – *Insurance against financial loss
available to mortgage lenders from private mortgage insurance companies
(PMICs).
*MORTGAGE INVESTMENT COMPANY – *A company or group of private
investors that buys mortgages for investment purposes.
*MORTGAGE LOAN DISCLOSURE STATEMENT – *The statement on a
form approved by the Real Estate Commissioner which is required by law to be
furnished by a mortgage loan broker to the prospective borrower of loans
of a
statutorily-prescribed amount before the borrower becomes obligated to
complete the loan.
*MORTGAGEE – *One to whom a mortgagor gives a mortgage to secure a loan
or performance of an obligation; a lender or creditor. (See definition
of secured
party.)
*MORTGAGOR – *One who gives a mortgage on his or her property to secure a
loan or assure performance of an obligation; a borrower.
*MULTIPLE LISTING – *A listing, usually an exclusive right to sell,
taken by a
member of an organization composed of real estate brokers, with the
provisions
that all members will have the opportunity to find an interested buyer; a
cooperative listing insuring owner property will receive a wider market
exposure.
*MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE – *An association of real estate agents
providing for a pooling of listings and the sharing of commissions on a
specified basis.
*MUTUAL SAVINGS BANKS – *Financial institutions owned by depositors each
of whom has rights to net earnings of the bank in proportion to his or her
deposits.
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*MUTUAL WATER COMPANY – *A water company organized by or for water
users in a given district with the object of securing an ample water
supply at a
reasonable rate; stock is issued to users.
*NARRATIVE APPRAISAL – *A summary of all factual materials, techniques
and appraisal methods used by the appraiser in setting forth his or her
value
conclusion.
*NEGATIVE AMORTIZATION – *Occurs when monthly installment payments
are insufficient to pay the interest accruing on the principal balance,
so that the
unpaid interest must be added to the principal due.
*NEGOTIABLE – *Capable of being negotiated, assignable or transferable
in the
ordinary course of business.
*NET INCOME – *The money remaining after expenses are deducted from
income; the profit.
*NET LEASE – *A lease requiring a lessee to pay charges against the property
such as taxes, insurance and maintenance costs in addition to rental
payments.
*NET LISTING – *A listing which provides that the agent may retain as
compensation for agent‘s services all sums received over and above a net
price
to the owner.
*NOMINAL INTEREST RATES – *The percentage of interest that is stated in
loan documents.
*NOTARY PUBLIC – *An appointed officer with authority to take the
acknowledgment of persons executing documents, sign the certificate, and
affix
official seal.
*NOTE – *A signed written instrument acknowledging a debt and promising
payment, according to the specified terms and conditions. A promissory note.
*NOTE RATE – *This rate determines the amount of interest charged on an
annual
basis to the borrower. Also called the —accrual rate“, —contract rate“
or —coupon
rate.“
*NOTICE – *(l) /Actual Notice /- Express or implied knowledge of a fact. (2)
/Constructive notice - /A fact, imputed to a person by law, which should
have
been discovered because of the person‘s actual notice of circumstances
and the
inquiry that a prudent person would have been expected to make. (3) /Legal/
/Notice/–Information required to be given by law.
*NOTICE OF NONRESPONSIBILITY – *A notice provided by law designed to
relieve property owner from responsibility for the cost of unauthorized work
done on the property or materials furnished therefor; notice must be
verified,
recorded and posted.
*NOTICE TO QUIT – *A notice to a tenant to vacate rented property.
*NOVATION – *The substitution or exchange of a new obligation or
contract for
an old one by the mutual agreement of the parties.
*NULL AND VOID – *Of no legal validity or effect.
*OBSOLESCENCE – *Loss in value due to reduced desirability and usefulness of
a structure because its design and construction become obsolete; loss
because of
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becoming old-fashioned and not in keeping with modern needs, with consequent
loss of income. May be functional or economic.
*OFFER TO PURCHASE – *The proposal made to an owner of property by a
potential buyer to purchase the property under stated terms.
*OFFSET STATEMENT – *Statement by owner of property or owner of lien
against property setting forth the present status of liens against said
property.
*OPEN-END MORTGAGE – *A mortgage containing a clause which permits the
mortgagor to borrow additional money after the loan has been reduced without
rewriting the mortgage.
*OPEN HOUSING LAW – *Congress passed a law in April 1968 which prohibits
discrimination in the sale of real estate because of race, color, or
religion of
buyers.
*OPEN LISTING – *An authorization given by a property owner to a real estate
agent wherein said agent is given the nonexclusive right to secure a
purchaser;
open listings may be given to any number of agents without liability to
compensate any except the one who first secures a buyer ready, willing
and able
to meet the terms of the listing, or secures the acceptance by the
seller of a
satisfactory offer.
*OPINION OF TITLE – *An attorney‘s written evaluation of the condition
of the
title to a parcel of land after examination of the abstract of title.
*OPTION – *A right given for a consideration to purchase or lease a
property upon
specified terms within a specified time, without obligating the party who
receives the right to exercise the right.
*ORAL CONTRACT – *A verbal agreement; one which is not reduced to writing.
*ORIENTATION – *Placing a structure on its lot with regard to its
exposure to the
rays of the sun, prevailing winds, privacy from the street and
protection from
outside noises.
*OSTENSIBLE AUTHORITY – *That authority which a third person reasonably
believes an agent possesses because of the acts or omissions of the
principal.
*OVERIMPROVEMENT – *An improvement which is not the highest and best
use for the site on which it is placed by reason of excess size or cost.
*OWNERSHIP – *The right of one or more persons to possess and use
property to
the exclusion of all others. A collection of rights to the use and
enjoyment of
property.
*PACKAGE MORTGAGE – *A type of mortgage used in home financing
covering real property, improvements, and movable equipment/appliances.
*PARAMOUNT TITLE – *Title which is superior or foremost to all others.
*PARTICIPATION – *Sharing of an interest in a property by a lender. In
addition
to base interest on mortgage loans on income properties, a percentage of
gross
income is required, sometimes predicated on certain conditions being
fulfilled,
such as a minimum occupancy or percentage of net income after expenses, debt
service and taxes. Also called equity participation or revenue sharing.
*PARTIES (PARTY) – *Those entities taking part in a transaction as a
principal,
e.g., seller, buyer, or lender in a real estate transaction.
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*PARTITION – *A division of real or personal property or the proceeds
therefrom
among co-owners.
*PARTITION ACTION – *Court proceedings by which co-owners seek to sever
their joint ownership.
*PARTNERSHIP – *A decision of the California Supreme Court has defined a
partnership in the following terms – —A partnership as between partners
themselves may be defined to be a contract of two or more persons to
unite their
property, labor or skill, or some of them, in prosecution of some joint
or lawful
business, and to share the profits in certain proportions.“ A voluntary
association of two or more persons to carry on a business or venture on
terms of
mutual participation in profits and losses.
*PARTY WALL – *A wall erected on the line between two adjoining properties,
which are under different ownership, for the use of both properties.
*PAR VALUE – *Market value, nominal value.
*PATENT – *Conveyance of title to government land.
*PAYMENT ADJUSTMENT DATE – *With regard to an adjustable rate
mortgage, the date the borrower‘s monthly principal and interest payment may
change.
*PAYMENT CAP – *With regard to an adjustable rate mortgage, this limits the
amount of increase in the borrower‘s monthly principal and interest at the
payment adjustment date, if the principal and interest increase called
for by the
interest rate increase exceeds the payment cap percentage. This
limitation is
often at the borrower‘s option and may result in negative amortization.
*PAYMENT RATE – *With respect to an adjustable rate mortgage, the rate at
which the borrower repays the loan–reflects buydowns or payment caps.
*PENALTY – *An extra payment or charge required of the borrower for
deviating
from the terms of the original loan agreement. Usually levied for being
late in
making regular payment or for paying off the loan before it is due, known as
—late charges“ and —prepayment penalties.“
*PERCENTAGE LEASE – *Lease on the property, the rental for which is
determined by amount of business done by the lessee; usually a percentage of
gross receipts from the business with provision for a minimum rental.
*PERIMETER HEATING – *Baseboard heating, or any system in which the heat
registers are located along the outside walls of a room, especially
under the
windows.
*PERIODIC INTEREST RATE CAP – *With respect to an adjustable rate
mortgage, limits the increase or decrease in the note rate at each rate
adjustment, thereby limiting the borrower‘s payment increase or decrease
at the
time of adjustment.
*PERSONAL PROPERTY – *Any property which is not real property.
*PHYSICAL DETERIORATION – *Impairment of condition. Loss in value
brought about by wear and tear, disintegration, use and actions of the
elements;
termed curable and incurable.
*PLAINTIFF – *In a court action, the one who sues; the complainant.
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*PLANNED DEVELOPMENT – *A subdivision consisting of separately owned
parcels of land together with membership in an association which owns
common area. Sometimes the owners of separate interests also have an
undivided interest in the common area.
*PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT – *(PUD) A term sometimes used to
describe a planned development. A planning and zoning term describing land
not subject to conventional zoning to permit clustering of residences or
other
characteristics of the project which differ from normal zoning.
*PLANNING COMMISSION – *An agency of local government charged with
planning the development, redevelopment or preservation of an area.
*PLAT (of survey) – *A map of land made by a surveyor showing the
boundaries,
buildings, and other improvements.
*PLEDGE – *The depositing of personal property by a debtor with a
creditor as
security for a debt or engagement.
*PLEDGEE – *One who is given a pledge or a security. (See definition of
Secured
Party.)
*PLEDGOR – *One who offers a pledge or gives security. (See definition of
debtor.)
*PLOTTAGE – *A term used in appraising to designate the increased value
of two
or more contiguous lots when they are joined under single ownership and
available for use as a larger single lot. Also called assemblage.
*PLOTTAGE INCREMENT – *The appreciation in unit value created by joining
smaller ownerships into one large single ownership.
*POINTS – *See Discount Points.
*POLICE POWER – *The right of the State to enact laws and enforce them for
the order, safety, health, morals and general welfare of the public.
*POWER OF ATTORNEY – *A written instrument whereby a principal gives
authority to an agent. The agent acting under such a grant is sometimes
called
an attorney in fact.
*POWER OF SALE – *The power of a mortgagee or trustee when the instrument
so provides to sell the secured property without judicial proceedings if a
borrower defaults in payment of the promissory note or otherwise
breaches the
terms of the mortgage or deed of trust.
*PREFABRICATED HOUSE – *A house manufactured and sometimes partly
assembled before delivery to building site.
*PREFERRED STOCK – *A class of corporate stock entitled to preferential
treatment such as priority in distribution of dividends.
*PREPAID ITEMS OF EXPENSE – *Prorations of prepaid items of expense
which are credited to the seller in the closing escrow statement.
*PREPAYMENT – *Provision made for loan payments to be larger than those
specified in the note.
*PREPAYMENT PENALTY – *The charge payable to a lender by a borrower
under the terms of the loan agreement if the borrower pays off the
outstanding
principal balance of the loan prior to its maturity.
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*PRESCRIPTION – *The means of acquiring incorporeal interests in land,
usually
an easement, by immemorial or long continued use. The time is ordinarily the
term of the statute of limitations.
*PRESUMPTION – *An assumption of fact that the law requires to be made from
another fact or group of facts found or otherwise established in the
section.
*PRIMA FACIE – *Latin meaning first sight, a fact presumed to be true until
disproved.
*PRINCIPAL – *This term is used to mean the employer of an agent; or the
amount of money borrowed, or the amount of the loan. Also, one of the main
parties in a real estate transaction, such as a buyer, borrower, seller,
lessor.
*PRINCIPAL NOTE – *The promissory note which is secured by the mortgage or
trust deed.
*PRIOR LIEN – *A lien which is senior or superior to others.
*PRIORITY OF LIEN – *The order in which liens are given legal precedence or
preference.
*PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE – *Mortgage guaranty insurance
available to conventional lenders on the first, high risk portion of a
loan (PMI).
*PRIVITY – *Mutual relationship to the same rights of property, contractual
relationship.
*PRIVITY OF CONTRACT – *The relationship which exists between the
persons who are parties to a contract.
*PROCURING CAUSE – *That cause originating from a series of events that,
without break in continuity, results in the prime object of an agent‘s
employment producing a final buyer; the real estate agent who first
procures a
ready, willing, and able buyer for the agreed upon price and terms and is
entitled to the commission.
*PROGRESS PAYMENTS – *Scheduled, periodic, and partial payment of
construction loan funds to a builder as each construction stage is
completed.
*PROGRESSION, PRINCIPLE OF – *The worth of a lesser valued residence
tends to be enhanced by association with higher valued residences in the
same
area.
*PROMISSORY NOTE – *Following a loan commitment from the lender, the
borrower signs a note, promising to repay the loan under stipulated
terms. The
promissory note establishes personal liability for its payment. The
evidence of
the debt.
*PROPERTY – *Everything capable of being owned and acquired lawfully. The
rights of ownership. The right to use, possess, enjoy, and dispose of a
thing in
every legal way and to exclude everyone else from interfering with these
rights.
Property is classified into two groups, personal property and real property.
*PROPERTY MANAGEMENT – *A branch of the real estate business involving
the marketing, operation, maintenance and day-to-day financing of rental
properties.
*PRO RATA – *In proportion; according to a certain percentage or
proportion of a
whole.
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*PRORATION – *Adjustments of interest, taxes, and insurance, etc., on a
pro rata
basis as of the closing or agreed upon date. Fire insurance is normally
paid for
three years in advance. If a property is sold during this time, the
seller wants a
refund on that portion of the advance payment that has not been used at
the time
the title to the property is transferred. For example, if the property
is sold two
years later, seller will want to receive 1/3 of the advance premium that
was paid.
Usually done in escrow by escrow holder at time of closing the transaction.
*PRORATION OF TAXES – *To divide or prorate the taxes equally or
proportionately to time of use, usually between seller and buyer.
*PROXIMATE CAUSE – *That cause of an event which, in a natural and
continuous sequence unbroken by any new cause, produced that event, and
without which the event would not have happened. Also, the procuring cause.
*PUBLIC RECORDS – *Records which by law impart constructive notice of
matters relating to land.
*PUBLIC TRUSTEE – *The county public official whose office has been created
by statute to whom title to real property in certain states, e.g.,
Colorado, is
conveyed by Trust Deed for the use and benefit of the beneficiary, who
usually
is the lender.
*PURCHASE AND INSTALLMENT SALEBACK – *Involves purchase of the
property upon completion of construction and immediate saleback on a long-
term installment contract.
*PURCHASE OF LAND, LEASEBACK AND LEASEHOLD MORTGAGES*
*– *An arrangement whereby land is purchased by the lender and leased
back to
the developer with a mortgage negotiated on the resulting leasehold of the
income property constructed. The lender receives an annual ground rent,
plus a
percentage of income from the property.
*PURCHASE AND LEASEBACK – *Involves the purchase of property by buyer
and immediate leaseback to seller.
*PURCHASE MONEY MORTGAGE OR TRUST DEED – *A trust deed or
mortgage given as part or all of the purchase consideration for real
property. In
some states the purchase money mortgage or trust deed loan can be made by a
seller who extends credit to the buyer of property or by a third party
lender
(typically a financial institution) that makes a loan to the buyer of
real property
for a portion of the purchase price to be paid for the property. In many
states
there are legal limitations upon mortgagees and trust deed beneficiaries
collecting deficiency judgments against the purchase money borrower
after the
collateral hypothecated under such security instruments has been sold
through
the foreclosure process. Generally no deficiency judgment is allowed if the
collateral property under the mortgage or trust deed is residential
property of
four units or less with the debtor occupying the property as a place of
residence.
*QUANTITY SURVEY – *A highly technical process in arriving at cost estimate
of new construction and sometimes referred to in the building trade as
the —price
take-off“ method. It involves a detailed estimate of the quantities of raw
material (lumber, plaster, brick, cement, etc.,) used as well as the
current price
of the material and installation costs. These factors are all added
together to
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arrive at the cost of a structure. It is usually used by contractors and
experienced
estimators.
*QUARTER ROUND – *A molding that presents a profile of a quarter circle.
*QUIET ENJOYMENT – *Right of an owner or tenant to the use of the property
without interference of possession.
*QUIET TITLE – *A court action brought to establish title; to remove a
cloud on
the title.
*QUITCLAIM DEED – *A deed to relinquish any interest in property which the
grantor may have, without any warranty of title or interest.
*RADIANT HEATING – *A method of heating, usually consisting of coils, or
pipes placed in the floor, wall, or ceiling.
*RANGE – *A strip or column of land six miles wide, determined by a
government
survey, running in a north-south direction, lying east or west of a
principal
meridian.
*RANGE LINES – *A series of government survey lines running north and south
at six-mile intervals starting with the principal meridian and forming
the east
and west boundaries of townships.
*RATE ADJUSTMENT DATE – *With respect to an adjustable rate mortgage,
the date the borrower‘s note rate may change.
*RATIFICATION – *The adoption or approval of an act performed on behalf of a
person without previous authorization, such as the approval by a
principal of
previously unauthorized acts of an agent, after the acts have been
performed.
*READY, WILLING AND ABLE BUYER – *One who is fully prepared to enter
into the contract, really wants to buy, and unquestionably meets the
financing
requirements of purchase.
*REAL ESTATE – *(See Real Property.)
*REAL ESTATE BOARD – *An organization whose members consist primarily
of real estate brokers and salespersons.
*REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST – *(See REIT).
*REAL ESTATE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES ACT (RESPA) – *A federal
law requiring the disclosure to borrowers of settlement (closing)
procedures and
costs by means of a pamphlet and forms prescribed by the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
*REAL ESTATE SYNDICATE – *An organization of investors usually in the
form of a limited partnership who have joined together for the purpose of
pooling capital for the acquisition of real property interests.
*REAL ESTATE TRUST – *A special arrangement under Federal and State law
whereby investors may pool funds for investments in real estate and
mortgages
and yet escape corporation taxes, profits being passed to individual
investors
who are taxed.
*REAL PROPERTY – *Land and anything growing on, attached to, or erected on
it, excluding anything that may be severed without injury to the land.
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*REAL PROPERTY LOAN LAW – *Article 7 of Chapter 3 of the Real Estate
Law under which a real estate licensee negotiating loans secured by real
property within a specified range is required to give the borrower a
statement
disclosing the costs and terms of the loan and which also limits the
amount of
expenses and charges that a borrower may pay with respect to the loan.
*REAL PROPERTY SALES CONTRACT – *An agreement to convey title to
real property upon satisfaction of specified conditions which does not
require
conveyance within one year of formation of the contract.
*RECAPTURE – *The process of recovery by an owner of money invested by
employing the use of a rate of interest necessary to provide for the
return of an
investment; not to be confused with interest rate, which is a rate of
return on an
investment.
*RECONVEYANCE – *The transfer of the title of land from one person to the
immediate preceding owner. This instrument of transfer is commonly used to
transfer the legal title from the trustee to the trustor (borrower)
after a trust deed
debt has been paid in full.
*RECORDING – *The process of placing a document on file with a designated
public official for public notice. This public official is usually a
county officer
known as the County Recorder who designates the fact that a document has
been presented for recording by placing a recording stamp upon it
indicating the
time of day and the date when it was officially placed on file.
Documents filed
with the Recorder are considered to be placed on open notice to the general
public of that county. Claims against property usually are given a
priority on the
basis of the time and the date they are recorded with the most preferred
claim
going to the earliest one recorded and the next claim going to the next
earliest
one recorded, and so on. This type of notice is called —constructive
notice“ or
—legal notice“.
*REDEEM – *To buy back; repurchase; recover.
*REDEMPTION – *Buying back one‘s property after a judicial sale.
*REDLINING – *A lending policy, illegal in California, of denying real
estate
loans on properties in older, changing urban areas, usually with large
minority
populations, because of alleged higher lending risks without due
consideration
being given by the lending institution to the credit worthiness of the
individual
loan applicant.
*REFINANCING – *The paying-off of an existing obligation and assuming a new
obligation in its place. To finance anew, or extend or renew existing
financing.
*REFORMATION – *An action to correct a mistake in a deed or other document.
*REHABILITATION – *The restoration of a property to satisfactory condition
without drastically changing the plan, form or style of architecture.
*REIT – *A Real Estate Investment Trust is a business trust which deals
principally
with interest in land–generally organized to conform to the Internal Revenue
Code.
*RELEASE CLAUSE – *A stipulation that upon the payment of a specific sum of
money to the holder of a trust deed or mortgage, the lien of the
instrument as to
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a specifically described lot or area shall be removed from the blanket
lien on the
whole area involved.
*RELEASE DEED – *An instrument executed by the mortgagee or the trustee
reconveying to the mortgagor or trustor the real estate which secured
the loan
after the debt has been paid in full.
*REMAINDER – *An estate which takes effect after the termination of the
prior
estate, such as a life estate. A future possessory interest in real estate.
*REMAINDER DEPRECIATION – *The possible future loss in value of an
improvement to real property.
*RENEGOTIABLE RATE MORTGAGE – *A loan secured by a long term
mortgage which provides for renegotiation, at pre-determined intervals,
of the
interest rate (for a maximum variation of five percent over the life of the
mortgage.)
*REPLACEMENT COST – *The cost to replace a structure with one having
utility equivalent to that being appraised, but constructed with modern
materials
and according to current standards, design and layout.
*REPRODUCTION COST – *The cost of replacing the subject improvement with
one that is the exact replica, having the same quality of workmanship,
design
and layout, or cost to duplicate an asset.
*RESCISSION – *The cancellation of a contract and restoration of the
parties to
the same position they held before the contract was entered into.
*RESCISSION OF CONTRACT – *The abrogation or annulling of contract; the
revocation or repealing of contract by mutual consent by parties to the
contract,
or for cause by either party to the contract.
*RESERVATION – *A right retained by a grantor in conveying property.
*RESERVES – *1) In a common interest subdivisions, an accumulation of funds
collected from owners for future replacement and major maintenance of the
common area and facilities. 2) With regard to mortgage loans, an
accumulation
of funds, collected by the lender from the borrower as part of each monthly
mortgage payment, an amount allocated to pay property taxes and insurance
when they are due.
*RESPA – *(See Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.)
*RESTRICTION – *A limitation on the use of real property. Property
restrictions
fall into two general classifications–public and private. Zoning
ordinances are
examples of the former type. Restrictions may be created by private owners,
typically by appropriate clauses in deeds, or in agreements, or in
general plans
of entire subdivisions. Usually they assume the form of a covenant, or
promise
to do or not to do a certain thing.
*RETROSPECTIVE VALUE – *The value of the property as of a previous date.
*RETURN – *Profit from an investment; the yield.
*REVERSION – *The right to future possession or enjoyment by a person,
or the
person‘s heirs, creating the preceding estate. (For example, at the end of a
lease.)
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*REVERSIONARY INTEREST – *The interest which a person has in lands or
other property, upon the termination of the preceding estate. A future
interest.
*RIGHT OF SURVIVORSHIP – *The right of a surviving tenant or tenants to
succeed to the entire interest of the deceased tenant; the
distinguishing feature
of a joint tenancy.
*RIGHT OF WAY – *A privilege operating as an easement upon land, whereby
the owner does by grant, or by agreement, give to another the right to
pass over
owner‘s land, to construct a roadway, or use as a roadway, a specific
part of the
land; or the right to construct through and over the land, telephone,
telegraph, or
electric power lines; or the right to place underground water mains, gas
mains,
or sewer mains.
*RIGHT, TITLE AND INTEREST – *A term used in deeds to denote that the
grantor is conveying all of that to which grantor held claim.
*RIPARIAN RIGHTS – *The right of a landowner whose land borders on a
stream or watercourse to use and enjoy the water which is adjacent to or
flows
over the owners land provided such use does not injure other riparian
owners.
*RISK ANALYSIS – *A study made, usually by a lender, of the various factors
that might affect the repayment of a loan.
*RISK RATING – *A process used by the lender to decide on the soundness of
making a loan and to reduce all the various factors affecting the
repayment of
the loan to a qualified rating of some kind.
*SALE AND LEASEBACK – *A financial arrangement where at the time of sale
the seller retains occupancy by concurrently agreeing to lease the
property from
the purchaser. The seller receives cash while the buyer is assured a
tenant and a
fixed return on buyer‘s investment.
*SALE-LEASEBACK-BUY-BACK – *A sale and leaseback transaction in which
the leaseholder has the option to buy back the original property after a
specified
period of time.
*SALES CONTRACT – *A contract by which buyer and seller agree to terms of a
sale.
*SALVAGE VALUE – *In computing depreciation for tax purposes, the
reasonably anticipated fair market value of the property at the end of
its useful
life and must be considered with all but the declining balance methods of
depreciation.
*SANDWICH LEASE – *A leasehold interest which lies between the primary
lease and the operating lease.
*SASH – *Wood or metal frames containing one or more window panes.
*SATISFACTION – *Discharge of a mortgage or trust deed from the records upon
payment of the debt.
*SATISFACTION PIECE – *An instrument for recording and acknowledging
payment of an indebtedness secured by a mortgage.
*SCRIBING – *Fitting woodwork to an irregular surface.
*SEAL – *An impression made to attest the execution of an instrument.
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*SECONDARY FINANCING – *A loan secured by a second mortgage or trust
deed on real property. These can be third, fourth, fifth, sixth
mortgages or trust
deeds, on and on ad infinitum.
*SECTION – *Section of land is established by government survey,
contains 640
acres and is one mile square.
*SECURED PARTY – *This is the party having the security interest. Thus the
mortgagee, the conditional seller, the pledgee, etc., are all now
referred to as the
secured party. (Uniform Commercial Code.)
*SECURITY AGREEMENT – *An agreement between the secured party and the
debtor which creates the security interest. (Uniform Commercial Code.)
*SECURITY INTEREST – *A term designating the interest of the creditor in the
property of the debtor in all types of credit transactions. It thus
replaces such
terms as the following – chattel mortgage; pledge; trust receipt;
chattel trust;
equipment trust; conditional sale; inventory lien; etc., according to
Uniform
Commercial Code usage.
*SEISIN (SEIZIN) – *Possession of real estate by one entitled thereto.
*SELLER‘S MARKET – *The market condition which exists when a seller is in a
more commanding position as to price and terms because demand exceeds
supply.
*SEPARATE PROPERTY – *Property owned by a married person in his or her
own right outside of the community interest including property acquired
by the
spouse (1) before marriage, (2) by gift or inheritance, (3) from rents
and profits
on separate property, and (4) with the proceeds from other separate
property.
*SEPTIC TANK – *An underground tank in which sewage from the house is
reduced to liquid by bacterial action and drained off.
*SERVICING LOANS – *Supervising and administering a loan after it has been
made. This involves such things as – collecting the payments, keeping
accounting records, computing the interest and principal, foreclosure of
defaulted loans, and so on.
*SET BACK ORDINANCE – *An ordinance requiring improvements built on
property to be a specified distance from the property line, street or curb.
*SEVERALTY OWNERSHIP – *Owned by one person only. Sole ownership.
*SHARED APPRECIATION MORTGAGE – *A loan having a fixed rate of
interest set below the market rate for the term of the loan which also
provides
for contingent interest to be paid to the lender on a certain percentage of
appreciation in the value of the property against which the loan is
secured upon
transfer or sale of the property or the repayment of the loan.
*SHERIFF‘S DEED – *Deed given by court order in connection with sale of
property to satisfy a judgment.
*SIMPLE INTEREST – *Interest computed on the principal amount of a loan only
as distinguished from compound interest.
*SINKING FUND – *Fund set aside from the income from property which, with
accrued interest, will eventually pay for replacement of the improvements.
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*SLANDER OF TITLE – *False and malicious statements disparaging an owner‘s
title to property and resulting in actual pecuniary damage to the owner.
*SPECIAL ASSESSMENT – *1) Legal charge against real estate by a public
authority to pay cost of public improvements such as street lights,
sidewalks,
street improvements. 2) In a common interest subdivision, a charge, in
addition
to the regular assessment, levied by the association against owners in the
development, for unanticipated repairs or maintenance on the common area or
capital improvement of the common area.
*SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY – *A written instrument whereby a
principal confers limited authority upon an agent to perform certain
prescribed
acts on behalf of the principal.
*SPECIAL WARRANTY DEED – *A deed in which the grantor warrants or
guarantees the title only against defects arising during grantor‘s
ownership of
the property and not against defects existing before the time of grantor‘s
ownership.
*SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE – *An action to compel performance of an
agreement, e.g., sale of land as an alternative to damages or rescission.
*SREA – *Society of Real Estate Appraisers.
*STANDARD DEPTH – *Generally the most typical lot depth in the
neighborhood.
*STANDBY COMMITMENT – *The mortgage banker frequently protects a
builder by a —standby“ agreement, under which banker agrees to make mortgage
loans at an agreed price for many months into the future. The builder
deposits a
—standby fee“ with the mortgage banker for this service. Frequently, the
mortgage broker protects self by securing a —standby“ from a long-term
investor
for the same period of time, paying a fee for this privilege.
*STATUTE OF FRAUDS – *A state law, based on an old English statute,
requiring certain contracts to be in writing and signed before they will be
enforceable at law, e.g.. contracts for the sale of real property,
contracts not be
performed within one year.
*STATUTORY WARRANTY DEED – *A short term warranty deed which
warrants by inference that the seller is the undisputed owner, has the
right to
convey the property, and will defend the title if necessary. This type
of deed
protects the purchaser in that the conveyor covenants to defend all claims
against the property. If conveyor fails to do so, the new owner can
defend said
claims and sue the former owner.
*STRAIGHT LINE DEPRECIATION – *A method of depreciation under which
improvements are depreciated at a constant rate throughout the estimated
useful
life of the improvement.
*STRAIGHT NOTE – *A note in which a borrower repays the principal in a lump
sum at maturity while interest is paid in installments or at maturity.
(See Interest
Only Note.)
*SUBAGENT – *A person upon whom the powers of an agent have been
conferred, not by the principal, but by an agent as authorized by the
agent‘s
principal.
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*SUBDIVISION – *A legal definition of those divisions of real property
for the
purpose of sale, lease or financing which are regulated by law. For
examples see
– California Business and Professions Code Sections 11000, 11000.1,
11004.5; California Government Code Section 66424; United States Code, Title
15, Section 1402(3).
*—SUBJECT TO“ A MORTGAGE – *When a grantee takes title to real property
subject to a mortgage, grantee is not responsible to the holder of the
promissory
note for the payment of any portion of the amount due. The most that grantee
can lose in the event of a foreclosure is grantee‘s equity in the
property. (See
also —assumption of mortgage“.) In neither case is the original maker of the
note released from primary responsibility. If liability is to be
assumed, the
agreement must so state.
*SUBLEASE – *A lease given by a lessee.
*SUBORDINATE – *To make subject to, or junior or inferior to.
*SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT – *An agreement by the holder of an
encumbrance against real property to permit that claim to take an inferior
position to other encumbrances against the property.
*SUBPOENA – *A legal order to cause a witness to appear and give testimony.
*SUBROGATION – *Replacing one person with another in regard to a legal right
or obligation. The substitution of another person in place of the
creditor, to
whose rights he or she succeeds in relation to the debt. The doctrine is
used very
often where one person agrees to stand surety for the performance of a
contract
by another person.
*SUBSIDY BUYDOWN – *Funds provided usually by the builder or seller to
temporarily reduce the borrower‘s monthly principal and interest payment.
*SUBSTITUTION, PRINCIPLE OF – *Affirms that the maximum value of a
property tends to be set by the cost of acquiring an equally desirable and
valuable substitute property, assuming no costly delay is encountered in
making
the substitution.
*SUM OF THE YEARS DIGITS – *An accelerated depreciation method.
*SUPPLY AND DEMAND, PRINCIPLE OF – *In appraising, a valuation
principle starting that market value is affected by intersection of
supply and
demand forces in the market as of the appraisal date.
*SURETY – *One who guarantees the performance of another – Guarantor.
*SURPLUS PRODUCTIVITY, PRINCIPLE OF – *The net income that remains
after the proper costs of labor, organization and capital have been
paid, which
surplus is imputable to the land and tends to fix the value thereof.
*SURVEY – *The process by which a parcel of land is measured and its area is
ascertained.
*SYNDICATE – *A partnership organized for participation in a real estate
venture.
Partners may be limited or unlimited in their liability. (See real estate
syndicate.)
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*TAKE-OUT LOAN – *The loan arranged by the owner or builder developer for a
buyer. The construction loan made for construction of the improvements is
usually paid in full from the proceeds of this more permanent mortgage loan.
*TAX – *Enforced charge exacted of persons, corporations and
organizations by
the government to be used to support government services and programs.
*TAX DEED – *The deed given to a purchaser at a public sale of land held for
nonpayment of taxes. It conveys to the purchaser only such title as the
defaulting taxpayer had.
*TAX-FREE EXCHANGE – *The trade or exchange of one real property for
another without the need to pay income taxes on the gain at the time of
trade.
*TAX SALE – *Sale of property after a period of nonpayment of taxes.
*TENANCY IN COMMON – *Co-ownership of property by two or more persons
who each hold an undivided interest, without right of survivorship;
interests
need not be equal.
*TENANT – *The party who has legal possession and use of real property
belonging to another.
*TENANTS BY THE ENTIRETIES – *Under certain state laws, ownership of
property acquired by a husband and wife during marriage, which property is
jointly and equally owned. Upon depth of one spouse it becomes the
property of
the survivor.
*TENTATIVE MAP – *The Subdivision Map Act requires subdividers to submit
initially a tentative map of their tract to the local planning
commission for
study. The approval or disapproval of the planning commission is noted
on the
map. Thereafter, a final map of the tract embodying any changes requested by
the planning commission is required to be filed with the planning
commission.
*TENURE IN LAND – *The mode or manner by which an estate in lands is held.
All rights and title rest with owner.
*TERMITES – *Ant-like insects which feed on wood and are highly
destructive to
wooden structures.
*TERMITE SHIELD – *A shield, usually of noncorrodible metal, placed on top
of the foundation wall or around pipes to prevent passage of termites.
*TESTATOR – *One who makes a will.
*THIRD PARTY – *Persons who are not parties to a contract which affects an
interest they have in the object of the contract.
*THRESHOLD – *A strip of wood or metal beveled on each edge and used above
the finished floor under outside doors.
*TIDELANDS – *Lands that are covered and uncovered by the ebb and flow
of the
tide.
*TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE – *A condition of a contract expressing the
essential nature of performance of the contract by a party in a
specified period
of time.
*TIME-SHARE ESTATE – *A right of occupancy in a time-share project
(subdivision) which is coupled with an estate in the real property.
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*TIME-SHARE PROJECT – *A form of subdivision of real property into rights
to the recurrent, exclusive use or occupancy of a lot, parcel, unit, or
segment of
real property, on an annual or some other periodic basis, for a
specified period
of time.
*TIME-SHARE USE – *A license or contractual or membership right of
occupancy in a timeshare project which is not coupled with an estate in
the real
property.
*TITLE – *Indicates —fee‘‘ position of lawful ownership and right to
property.
—Bundle of Rights“ possessed by an owner. Combination of all elements
constituting proof of ownership.
*TITLE INSURANCE – *Insurance to protect a real property owner or lender up
to a specified amount against certain types of loss, e.g., defective or
unmarketable title.
*TITLE REPORT – *A report which discloses condition of the title, made by a
title company preliminary to issuance of title insurance policy.
*TITLE THEORY – *Mortgage arrangement whereby title to mortgaged real
property vests in the lender. Some states give greater protection to
mortgage
lenders and assume lenders have title interest. Distinguished from Lien
Theory
States.
*TOPOGRAPHY – *Nature of the surface of land; topography may be level,
rolling, mountainous. Variation in earth‘s surface.
*TORRENS TITLE – *System of title records provided by state law (no longer
used in California)
*TORT – *Any wrongful act (not involving a breach of contract) for which
a civil
section will lie for the person wronged.
*TOWNHOUSE – *One of a row of houses usually of the same or similar design
with common side walls or with a very narrow space between adjacent side
walls.
*TOWNSHIP – *In the survey of public lands of the United States, a
territorial
subdivision six miles long, six miles wide and containing 36 sections,
each one
mile square, located between two range lines and two township lines.
*TRADE FIXTURES – *Articles of personal property annexed by a business
tenant to real property which are necessary to the carrying on of a
trade and are
removable by the tenant.
*TRADE-IN – *An increasingly popular method of guaranteeing an owner a
minimum amount of cash on sale of owner‘s present property to permit owner
to purchase another. If the property is not sold within a specified time
at the
listed price, the broker agrees to arrange financing to personally
purchase the
property at an agreed upon discount.
*TRANSFER FEE – *A charge made by a lending institution holding or
collecting
on a real estate mortgage to change its records to reflect a different
ownership.
*TRUST ACCOUNT – *An account separate and apart and physically segregated
from broker‘s own funds, in which broker is required by law to deposit
all funds
collected for clients.
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*TRUST DEED – *Just as with a mortgage this is a legal document by which a
borrower pledges certain real property or collateral as guarantee for the
repayment of a loan. However, it differs from the mortgage in a number of
important respects. For example, instead of there being two parties to the
transaction there are three. There is the borrower who signs the trust
deed and
who is called the trustor. There is the third, neutral party, to whom
trustor deeds
the property as security for the payment of the debt, who is called the
trustee.
And, finally, there is the lender who is called the beneficiary, the one who
benefits from the pledge agreement in that in the event of a default the
trustee
can sell the property and transfer the money obtained at the sale to
lender as
payment of the debt.
*TRUSTEE – *One who holds property in trust for another to secure the
performance of an obligation. Third party under a deed of trust.
*TRUSTOR – *One who borrows money from a trust deed lender, then deeds the
real property securing the loan to a trustee to be held as security
until trustor has
performed the obligation to the lender under terms of a deed of trust.
*TRUTH IN LENDING – *The name given to the federal statutes and regulations
(Regulation Z) which are designed primarily to insure that prospective
borrowers and purchasers on credit receive credit cost information before
entering into a transaction.
*UNDERIMPROVEMENT – *An improvement which, because of its deficiency
in size or cost, is not the highest and best use of the site.
*UNDERWRITING – *Insuring something against loss; guaranteeing financially.
*UNDUE INFLUENCE – *Use of a fiduciary or confidential relationship to
obtain
a fraudulent or unfair advantage over another‘s weakness of mind, or
distress or
necessity.
*UNEARNED INCREMENT – *An increase in value of real estate due to no
effort on the part of the owner; often due to increase in population.
*UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE – *Establishes a unified and comprehensive
method for regulation of security transactions in personal property,
superseding
the existing statutes on chattel mortgages, conditional sales, trust
receipts,
assignment of accounts receivable and others in this field.
*UNIT-IN-PLACE METHOD – *The cost of erecting a building by estimating the
cost of each component part, i.e., foundations, floors, walls, windows,
ceilings,
roofs, etc., (including labor and overhead).
*URBAN PROPERTY – *City property; closely settled property.
*USURY – *On a loan, claiming a rate of interest greater than that
permitted by
law.
*UTILITIES – *Refers to services rendered by public utility companies,
such as –
water, gas, electricity, telephone.
*UTILITY – *The ability to give satisfaction and/or excite desire for
possession.
An element of value.
*VACANCY FACTOR – *The percentage of a building‘s space that is not rented
over a given period.
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LOSSARY
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*VALID – *Having force, or binding force; legally sufficient and
authorized by
law.
*VALLEY – *The internal angle formed by the junction of two sloping
sides of a
roof.
*VALUATION – *Estimated worth or price. Estimation. The act of valuing by
appraisal.
*VA LOAN – *A loan made to qualified veterans for the purchase of real
property
wherein the Department of Veteran‘s Affairs guarantees the lender payment of
the mortgage.
*VALUE – *Present worth of future benefits arising out of ownership to
typical
users/investors.
*VARIABLE INTEREST RATE – *(VlRs or VMRs, Variable Mortgage Rates.)
An interest rate in a real estate loan which by the terms of the note varies
upward and downward over the term of the loan depending on money market
conditions.
*VENDEE – *A purchaser; buyer.
*VENDOR – *A seller.
*VENEER – *Thin sheets of wood.
*VERIFICATION – *Sworn statement before a duly qualified officer to
correctness of contents of an instrument.
*VESTED – *Bestowed upon someone; secured by someone, such as title to
property.
*VOID – *To have no force or effect; that which is unenforceable.
*VOIDABLE – *That which is capable of being adjudged void, but is not void
unless action is taken to make it so.
*VOLUNTARY LIEN – *Any lien placed on property with consent of, or as a
result of, the voluntary act of the owner.
*WAINSCOTING – *Wood lining of an interior wall; lower section of a wall
when finished differently from the upper part.
*WAIVE – *To relinquish, or abandon; to forego a right to enforce or require
anything.
*WARRANTY OF AUTHORITY – *A representation by an agent to third
persons that the agent has and is acting within the scope of authority
conferred
by his or her principal.
*WARRANTY DEED – *A deed used to convey real property which contains
warranties of title and quiet possession, and the grantor thus agrees to
defend
the premises against the lawful claims of third persons. It is commonly
used in
many states but in others the grant deed has supplanted it due to the modern
practice of securing title insurance policies which have reduced the
importance
of express and implied warranty in deeds.
*WASTE – *The destruction, or material alteration of, or injury to
premises by a
tenant.
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*WATER TABLE – *Distance from surface of ground to a depth at which natural
groundwater is found.
*WEAR AND TEAR – *Depreciation of an asset due to ordinary usage.
*WILL – *A written, legal declaration of a person expressing his or her
desires for
the disposition of that person‘s property after his or her death.
*WRAP AROUND MORTGAGE – *A financing device whereby a lender
assumes payments on existing trust deeds of a borrower and takes from the
borrower a junior trust deed with a face value in an amount equal to the
amount
outstanding on the old trust deeds and the additional amount of money
borrowed.
*X – *An individual who cannot write may execute a legal document by
affixing an
—X“ (his/her mark) where the signature normally goes. Beneath the mark a
witness then writes the person‘s name and signs his or her own name as
witness.
*YARD – *A unit of measurement 3 feet long.
*YIELD – *The interest earned by an investor on an investment (or by a
bank on
the money it has loaned). Also, called return.
*YIELD RATE – *The yield expressed as a percentage of the total investment.
Also, called rate of return.
*ZONE – *The area set off by the proper authorities for specific use; an
area
subject to certain restrictions or restraints.
*ZONING – *Act of city or county authorities specifying type of use to which
property may be put in specific areas.