Real Estate

Encroachment: Intrusion upon Property
Encroachment refers to a building, part of a building, or obstruction that physically intrudes upon, overlaps, or trespasses upon the property of another; verified by a survey.
Encumbrance: Legal Restrictions on Property
A comprehensive examination of encumbrances - rights or interests in real property that do not prohibit the transfer of title but diminish property value.
Entity Legal Form: Choosing the Right Structure for Property Ownership
Understanding the different legal forms of ownership, including Corporation, S Corporation, Sole Proprietorship, Joint Venture, Limited Partnership, Partnership, Tenancy in Common, Joint Tenancy, Limited-Liability Corporation, Limited-Liability Partnership, and Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), and the benefits and risks associated with each.
Environmental Site Assessment: Comprehensive Review and Significance
A detailed analysis of the necessity, process, and implications of Environmental Site Assessments, including various types, methodologies, historical context, and practical applications in modern real estate and development projects.
Equitable Title: Pre-Purchase Interest
An examination of the interest held by one who has agreed to purchase but has not yet closed the transaction, known as equitable title.
Equity Buildup: The Gradual Increase in Property Equity
Equity buildup refers to the gradual increase in an owner's equity in mortgaged property caused by the amortization of loan principal.
Equity REIT: Ownership-based Real Estate Investment Trust
An Equity Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is a type of REIT that holds ownership in real estate properties, generating income from rents and capital appreciation.
Equity Yield Rate: The Rate of Return on the Equity Portion of an Investment
The Equity Yield Rate is the rate of return on the equity portion of an investment, considering periodic cash flow and resale proceeds. This metric takes into account the timing and amounts of cash flow after annual debt service, but does not include income taxes.
Escrow: A Mechanism for Securing Transactions
A detailed exploration of escrow, a mechanism that involves a written instrument, such as a deed, being temporarily deposited with a neutral third party until the conditions of a contract are met. This article covers types, historical context, examples, and applicability in various sectors.
Escrow Account: A Safekeeping Solution for Funds
An in-depth exploration of escrow accounts, their roles in real estate, and applications for holding funds securely until they are needed.
Escrow Agent: Role and Responsibilities
An escrow agent is a neutral third party responsible for holding funds or assets until certain conditions are met, commonly used in real estate transactions.
Escrow Closing: Comprehensive Overview
Detailed explanation of Escrow Closing, particularly in states where deeds of trust are used instead of mortgages, encompassing examples, historical context, and related terms.
Estate: Understanding Ownership and Interests in Property
An in-depth exploration of the concept of 'Estate' in the context of ownership, including real property and personal property, and the nature and extent of interests in land.
Estate in Reversion: A Comprehensive Overview
An in-depth exploration of the concept of Estate in Reversion, its types, historical context, examples, and relevance in contemporary real estate and legal practices.
Estate in Severalty: Property Owned by a Sole Person
An Estate in Severalty refers to the exclusive ownership of a property by a single individual, distinguishing it from forms of joint ownership. This entry explores the concept, legal implications, examples, and related terms.
Estate Planning Distribution: Comprehensive Overview
An in-depth guide to estate planning distribution, including methods for distributing property during one's lifetime and posthumously through wills and state law.
Estoppel Certificate: Definition and Importance
An estoppel certificate is a document by which the mortgagor certifies the balance and terms of a mortgage loan, preventing later disputes over the stated debt amount.
Estovers: The Right of Tenants to Use Timber for Maintenance
Comprehensive coverage of the legal concept of estovers, detailing the rights of tenants, types of estovers, historical context, and related legal terms.
Evaluator: Independent Expert in Valuation
An Evaluator is an independent expert who appraises the value of properties with limited trading, like antiques in an estate or rarely traded stocks or bonds. The evaluator's fee can be a flat amount or a percentage of the appraised value.
Eviction: Legal Removal from Real Estate
Eviction is the physical expulsion of someone from real estate by the assertion of superior title or through legal proceedings. This entry discusses types, processes, and implications of eviction.
Eviction, Actual: Definition and Context
Actual eviction refers to the removal of a person from a property, either by force or by due process of law. This legal term encompasses physical removal and has significant implications in landlord-tenant relationships.
Eviction, Constructive: Legal Concept of Property Unfitness
Overview of constructive eviction, a legal concept where through the landlord's fault, physical conditions of a property render it unfit for its leased purpose.
Examination of Title: Research of Title to a Piece of Real Estate
A detailed examination of the historical records and documents pertaining to the ownership and conditions of a real estate title, focusing primarily on recent records for quick verification.
Exclusive Agency Listing: Real Estate Contract
An Exclusive Agency Listing is a real estate contract that grants one broker the exclusive right to sell a property while allowing the owner to sell the property privately without paying a commission.
Exclusive Right to Sell Listing: Comprehensive Overview
An in-depth exploration of the Exclusive Right to Sell Listing, its functionality, benefits, and comparisons with other listing agreements.
Extraordinary Assumption: Critical Appraisal Component
An extraordinary assumption is a vital hypothesis within an appraisal process, crucial to the accuracy of the value opinion provided. If this assumption proves incorrect, the entire appraisal's validity is compromised. Compare it to a hypothetical condition.
Fair Housing Law: Ensuring Equal Housing Opportunities
A comprehensive overview of the Fair Housing Law, which prohibits discrimination in the sale or rental of homes and apartments.
Fair Market Rent: Comprehensive Guide
An in-depth exploration of Fair Market Rent, the amount a property would command if it were now available for lease, including its definition, types, considerations, examples, historical context, applicability, related terms, FAQs, references, and more.
Fair Market Value: The Ideal Transaction Price
An in-depth look into Fair Market Value — the price at which an asset or service changes hands between a willing seller and a willing buyer under normal conditions.
Family Limited Partnership (FLP): An Overview
A Family Limited Partnership (FLP) is a type of Limited Partnership where interests are held by members of the same family, offering advantages in gift and estate tax reductions but limiting complete ownership freedoms.
Fannie Mae: Federal National Mortgage Association
A comprehensive overview of Fannie Mae, also known as the Federal National Mortgage Association, including its history, functions, and impact on the housing market.
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC): A Comprehensive Overview
An in-depth look at the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), also known as Freddie Mac, including its functions, history, structure, and significance in the U.S. mortgage market.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA): Enhancing Housing Accessibility Since 1934
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), founded in 1934, is a key agency within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It administers various loan, loan guarantee, and loan insurance programs to boost housing availability.
Federal Land Bank: Mortgage Loans for Rural Properties
The Federal Land Bank is an agency that provides mortgage loans on rural properties to farmers and individuals who provide essential services to the farming and ranching community. Borrowers are required to purchase stock in their local land bank association as additional security for the loan.
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA): Publicly Owned Government-Sponsored Enterprise
The Federal National Mortgage Association, known as Fannie Mae, is a publicly owned Government-Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) chartered in 1938 to purchase mortgages from lenders and resell them to investors.
Fee: Definition and Usage in Various Contexts
Fee in the context of real property refers to an estate of complete ownership that can be sold or devised to heirs. Additionally, a fee can signify the cost of professional services.
Fee Simple: Absolute Ownership of Real Property
Fee Simple, or Fee Absolute, represents the most complete ownership of real property, with unconditional power of disposition during the owner's life, and inheritance rights upon death.
FF&E: Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment
An in-depth look at Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E), including definitions, types, applications in various industries, and related concepts.
FHA Mortgage Loan: A Comprehensive Guide
An in-depth look at FHA Mortgage Loans, insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), including the popular Section 203(b) program.
FHFA House Price Index (HPI): Home Price Index
The FHFA House Price Index (HPI) is a comprehensive measure of the movement of single-family house prices in the United States. Compiled by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), this index is based on data collected from loans held by government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), and values are available for each state and metropolitan area.
Finish Out: Construction and Real Estate Term
A comprehensive look at the term 'Finish Out' in the context of construction and real estate, including tenant finish-out allowances.
First Lien Debt: Priority in Property Claims
In the world of real estate and finance, First Lien Debt refers to the debt recorded first against a property, making it the primary claim in the event of default. This is a critical concept for lenders and borrowers alike.
First Mortgage: Defining the Primary Lien on Property
A comprehensive overview of the First Mortgage, including its role, types, legal considerations, historical context, and comparison with other types of mortgages.
Flat: Multiple Meanings and Usages
An in-depth exploration of the term 'flat' covering various contexts in finance, real estate, trading, and more.
Fleet Factors: Landmark 1990 Court Decision
The Fleet Factors decision clarified a lender's potential exposure to liability for environmental cleanup if the lender acquires property by foreclosure.
Flood Insurance: Comprehensive Coverage for Flood-Related Damages
Flood Insurance covers property damage caused by natural flooding, offering protection through private insurers while being encouraged and subsidized by the federal government. It is mandatory for buyers using a federally related mortgage to purchase a house in a floodplain.
Floor Duty: Managing Client Interactions in Real Estate
A comprehensive overview of Floor Duty, a critical responsibility in real estate sales, where salespersons handle potential client inquiries during assigned office hours.
Floor Plan: Arrangement of Rooms in a Building
A comprehensive guide to understanding floor plans, including their importance, types, examples, and applications in architecture, real estate, and interior design.
FNMA: Federal National Mortgage Association
The Federal National Mortgage Association, commonly known as Fannie Mae, facilitates liquidity, stability, and affordability in the U.S. housing market by ensuring that lenders have sufficient funds to lend to homebuyers.
Forbearance: A Policy of Restraint in Legal Action
A comprehensive understanding of forbearance in the context of contractual obligations, remedies for default, and the legal implications.
Forced Sale: Immediate Liquidation Without Optimal Valuation
A Forced Sale is a mandatory sale of an asset or property at less than its fair market value because the seller is compelled to sell urgently, often due to legal or financial pressures.
Foreclosure: Termination of All Rights of a Mortgagor or Grantee in Property Covered by a Mortgage
Foreclosure is the legal process by which a lender or creditor can seize and sell a property used as collateral to satisfy an unpaid debt. This process involves terminating all rights of the mortgagor or grantee in the property.
Fractional Interest: Ownership of Partial Rights in Real Estate
Fractional Interest refers to the ownership of some but not all rights in real estate. Examples include easements, hunting rights, and leasehold properties.
Fraud and Flipping: Illegal Real Estate Practice
Fraud and flipping involves the illegal practice of purchasing properties and rapidly reselling them at inflated prices to defraud lenders. This entry explores definitions, types, examples, and related terms.
Freddie Mac: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
Freddie Mac, formally known as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, is a government-sponsored entity that plays a crucial role in the American mortgage market.
Free and Clear: Unencumbered
In property law, a title is free and clear if it is not encumbered by any liens or restrictions. One conveys land free and clear if he transfers a good title or marketable title.
Front Foot: Standard Measurement of Land
An in-depth explanation of the Front Foot, a standard measurement of land applied at the frontage of its street line, commonly used for lots of generally uniform depth in downtown areas.
Front Money: Initial Cash Investment for Projects
Comprehensive explanation of Front Money, its uses, significance, and some practical examples in project initiation, including purchasing, planning, permits acquisition, and loan commitments.
Frontage: Linear Distance of Land Along a Feature
Comprehensive understanding of frontage, which refers to the linear distance a piece of land extends along a lake, river, street, or highway, often priced per front foot.
Functional Obsolescence: Decline in Value Due to Changing Tastes or Technical Innovation
Functional obsolescence refers to the reduction in value of an asset due to its outdated features, often influenced by changing consumer preferences or advancements in technology.
Funds From Operations (FFO): Measure of REIT Profitability
An in-depth exploration of Funds From Operations (FFO), a key measure of profitability for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), including its calculation, significance, and associated terms.
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E): Essential Aspects in Hospitality
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) refers to movable assets in a hotel that wear out rapidly and require regular replacement. This entry covers the definition, types, considerations, and significance of FF&E in the hospitality industry.
Gap Loan: Bridging Finance for Incomplete Occupancies
Gap Loan refers to a temporary loan that fills the difference between the floor loan and the full amount of the permanent loan, often used during the rent-up period in real estate development.
Garage Sale: Community-Based Secondhand Markets
A garage sale, also known as a tag sale, is an informal event where households sell used goods directly to buyers. These sales are typically held in garages, driveways, or yards.
General Property Tax: An Overview
An in-depth guide to understanding General Property Tax, including its types, applicability, historical context, and related terms.
General Warranty Deed: Comprehensive Protection for Property Buyers
A General Warranty Deed guarantees that the grantor holds a clear title to a piece of real estate and has the right to sell it. This deed provides the highest level of protection for the grantee.
Gift Deed: Legal Instrument for Voluntary Transfer of Property
A Gift Deed is a legal document utilized in the voluntary transfer of property ownership without any monetary transaction, based on love and affection.
Ginnie Mae: Government National Mortgage Association
Ginnie Mae is a nickname for the Government National Mortgage Association, which guarantees mortgage-based securities. Learn about its role, types of securities, historical context, and more.
Glass Insurance: Protection Against Glass Damage
Glass Insurance provides protection against damages to glass components of buildings, vehicles, and other properties.
Good Title: Definition and Key Considerations
An in-depth exploration of what constitutes a 'Good Title' in real estate, including its definitions, types, examples, historical context, and common legal concerns.
Government Rectangular Survey: A Comprehensive Guide
A detailed overview of the Government Rectangular Survey system, its structure, historical context, and its application in land measurement and division in the United States.
Graduated Lease: Lease That Provides for Changes, At Stated Intervals, in the Amount of Rent
A Graduated Lease involves periodic adjustments to the rental amount, usually pre-defined at specific intervals, allowing flexibility for both tenants and landlords.
Grant: Legal and Financial Term
Definition and applications of the term 'Grant' in legal deeds of property conveyance and financial transfers.
Grantee: Party to Whom the Title to Real Property is Conveyed
A 'Grantee' is the party to whom the title to real property is conveyed, typically recognized as the buyer in real estate transactions. Understanding the role and responsibilities of a grantee is essential for grasping the legal intricacies of property transactions.
Gross Income Multiplier (GIM): Real Estate Valuation Metric
Gross Income Multiplier (GIM) is a real estate valuation metric used to evaluate an income-producing property's value by comparing its gross income to its purchase price or value.
Gross Leasable Area: Comprehensive Explanation and Usage
Gross Leasable Area refers to the total floor area of a building available for leasing, usually measured from its outside walls. This term is essential in real estate and property management for understanding lease agreements and property valuation.
Gross Lease: Lease Agreement Where Landlord Pays Expenses
A comprehensive article on Gross Lease, where the landlord is responsible for all property expenses, including taxes, insurance, utilities, and repairs.
Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM): An Overview
An in-depth analysis of the Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM), a tool used for estimating the value of income-producing real estate.
Ground Lease: Lease of Land Only for Long-Term Development
A ground lease is a type of lease agreement where the tenant rents the land only and any buildings or structures made on the land are typically owned by the tenant during the lease term. Ground leases are often long-term, such as for 30 or more years, to make it feasible for development projects.
Growing-Equity Mortgage (GEM): Accelerated Principal Reduction
A Growing-Equity Mortgage (GEM) is a type of mortgage loan where the payment increases annually, and the additional payment is applied towards the principal, significantly reducing the loan's maturity period.
GSE Government-Sponsored Enterprise: FNMA and FHLMC
Comprehensive coverage on Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) such as FNMA (Fannie Mae) and FHLMC (Freddie Mac), their functions, history, and roles in the financial and real estate markets.
Guardian Deed: Deed for Real Estate Sale by Court-Appointed Guardian
A Guardian Deed refers to a deed given for the sale of real estate by an individual appointed by a court to administer the personal affairs or property of another individual who is not capable of performing such duties themselves.

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