Real Estate

Property: Definition, Types, and Importance
Understanding the concept of property, including its types, significance, and related legal and economic considerations.
Property Tax: Tax Imposed by Municipalities
An in-depth look at property tax, including its definition, types, calculations, historical context, and role in financing local governments and schools.
Prorate: Allocation of Obligations
Prorate refers to the allocation of obligations or expenses between different parties in a proportionate manner. This term is commonly used in real estate transactions, insurance, and refunds for unearned amounts.
PUFFING: Overstating the Qualities of a Property
PUFFING refers to the practice of overstating or exaggerating the qualities of a property, often by a salesperson. It can be grounds for a misrepresentation lawsuit.
Punch List: Enumeration of Items for Correction
A detailed explanation of a punch list, its purpose, types, and application in various fields such as construction, real estate, and machine repairs, inclusive of historical context and related terms.
Quitclaim Deed: Understanding the Basics
A quitclaim deed is a legal instrument that transfers the grantor's interest in a property without warranties or guarantees of title.
Real Estate: Definition and Comprehensive Overview
Real Estate refers to land and everything more or less attached to it, including mineral rights below ground and air rights above ground. This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of real property and related terms.
Real Estate Agent: Role and Importance
A comprehensive overview of a Real Estate Agent, their duties, responsibilities, and impact on the real estate market.
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT): Investment Vehicle
A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is a company that owns, operates, or finances income-producing real estate, which allows small investors to participate in large real estate ventures without the burden of double taxation.
Real Property: Definition and Meaning
Comprehensive overview of Real Property - including land, permanent structures, rights associated with land, and its legal implications.
REALTOR: Professional in Real Estate
A REALTOR is a real estate professional who subscribes to a strict code of ethics as a member of the local and state boards and of the National Association of Realtors.
Reassessment: Reviewing a Policy or Decision
Comprehensive look at the process of reassessment, spanning general review processes and specific applications in real estate to update property value estimates for tax purposes.
Recapture Clause: Contractual Provisions
A detailed overview of the recapture clause in contracts that allows a party to reclaim an interest or right under specific conditions.
Redemption Period: Reclaiming Foreclosed Property
A detailed overview of the redemption period, the timeframe in which a former owner can reclaim foreclosed property, and its implications in real estate and foreclosure law.
Regional Shopping Center: Comprehensive Definition
An in-depth explanation of Regional Shopping Centers, including their characteristics, types, historical context, and related terms.
Registrar in Different Contexts: A Comprehensive Overview
A detailed examination of the role of a registrar in various sectors including education, real estate, and finance; covering their responsibilities, historical context, and application.
REMIC: Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
A detailed overview of Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (REMICs), their structure, function, applications, and regulations in the financial and real estate industries.
Rental Rate: Definition and Overview
A comprehensive guide to understanding Rental Rates, including periodic charges, units of measurement, examples, historical context, and the significance in real estate and economics.
Reproduction Cost: Understanding the Exact Duplication of Property
A detailed examination of reproduction cost, which focuses on the expense of achieving an exact duplication of a property, both real and personal, at a specific date, while contrasting it with replacement cost.
Residential: Comprehensive Overview of Residential Property
An in-depth look into residential property, its types, considerations, historical context, and relevance in modern economics and real estate.
Residential Broker: Real Estate Professional Specializing in Homes
A comprehensive overview of residential brokers, their role in listing and selling houses or condominiums, comparison with commercial brokers, and key competencies required.
Residential District: An Area Designated for Housing
A comprehensive guide to understanding residential districts, their significance in zoning laws, types, historical context, and related terms.
Residential Mortgage: Home Financing Explained
An in-depth examination of residential mortgages, their types, tax implications, and applications in real estate financing.
RESPA: Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
An overview of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), its purpose, provisions, and impact on real estate transactions in the United States.
Restraint on Alienation: Property Interest Restrictions
A comprehensive examination of the legal concept of 'restraint on alienation,' which outlines restrictions on the ability to convey real property interests, often in contradiction with the common law policy favoring free alienability.
Reversion: Future Property Interest
Reversion refers to the interest that remains with a property owner who has granted an estate less than their own full interest. This interest allows them to regain the property at some point in the future.
Reversionary Value: Estimated Property Value at Future Date
An in-depth exploration and explanation of reversionary value, a crucial concept in real estate finance, which refers to the estimated value of a property at the expiration of a specific time period.
Right of First Refusal: Preemptive Opportunity in Contracts
Detailed explanation of the Right of First Refusal (ROFR), a contractual right that allows specific parties to match the terms of a proposed contract before it's executed.
S&P/Case-Shiller Index: Comprehensive Home Price Measurement
The S&P/Case-Shiller Index is a comprehensive measurement of U.S. residential real estate prices, tracking changes in the value of residential real estate.
Sales Price: Definition and Practical Applications
Comprehensive look into Sales Price, its calculations, considerations, and significance in various domains such as Real Estate, Retail, and Economics.
Sandwich Lease: Definition and Insight
Understand the concept of a sandwich lease in real estate, where a lessee becomes a lessor by subletting the property and stands between the property owner and the end user. Explore its implications, examples, and related terms.
Second Home: A Secondary Residence
Exploring the concept of a Second Home in real estate, tax implications, and legal definitions.
Section 1031: Tax-Free Exchanges of Certain Properties
This entry covers Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, which deals with tax-free exchanges of certain property types, providing detailed guidelines, historical context, and examples.
Security Deposit: Nontaxable Cash Payment by Tenant Held for Lease Term
A Security Deposit is a nontaxable cash payment received by a landlord from a tenant, held during the term of the lease to offset damages or any lease violations. Discover its implications, historical context, and related terms.
Senior Mortgage: Understanding Priority Mortgages
Exploring the concept of Senior Mortgages, their features, implications, and distinctions from other mortgage types like first and second mortgages.
Settlement Cost: Key Components and Examples
Understanding settlement cost, also known as closing cost, including its types, examples, and significance in real estate transactions.
Settlement Date: Definition and Significance
The settlement date is a crucial term in both real estate and securities markets, representing the date on which a transaction is finalized and ownership is transferred.
Shared-Equity Mortgage: A Collaborative Path to Homeownership
A comprehensive guide to understanding Shared-Equity Mortgages (SEM) where lenders are granted a share of the equity, enabling them to participate in the proceeds from a property's resale.
Soft Money: Tax Deductible Contributions in Investments and Development Costs
Soft Money refers to tax-deductible contributions in investments and development, as well as non-construction costs such as interest during construction, architect's fees, and legal fees.
Specific Lien: Charge Against a Certain Piece of Property
A specific lien is a legal claim against a particular piece of property making it a security for the payment of a debt, typically arising from unpaid taxes, mortgages, or legal judgments.
Split Commission: Definition and Context
A comprehensive guide on split commission, detailing how commissions are divided between brokers and financial professionals, with examples and historical context.
Square Footage: Understanding the Measurement
Square footage is the area measured in square feet of a property or space for sale or rent. The inclusions in square footage calculations can vary considerably depending on the property type and usage.
Step-Up Lease: Understanding Increasing Rent Structures
A Step-Up Lease, also known as a Graduated Lease, is a rental agreement where the rent payments increase at predetermined intervals.
Structure: Definition and Examples
An in-depth exploration of structures as constructed improvements to a site, covering various types and their significance.
Subdivider: Definition, Functions, and Considerations
A subdivider partitions a tract of land for the purpose of selling individual plots, typically installing utilities and streets.
Subdividing: The Process of Dividing Land
An in-depth overview of subdividing land, including definitions, processes, types, historical context, and related terms.
Subject to Mortgage: Condition of Sale of Real Estate
A comprehensive analysis of the 'Subject to Mortgage' condition of sale in real estate transactions, where the purchaser acquires a property with a pre-existing mortgage without becoming personally liable.
Subtenant: Leasing and Subleasing Explained
A comprehensive look at the role of a subtenant, the legal implications, and practical considerations involved in subleasing rental properties.
Surrender: Cancellation of a Lease by Mutual Consent
The term 'surrender' in the context of real estate and leasing refers to the mutual cancellation of a lease agreement between the lessor (landlord) and lessee (tenant). This article explores the concept, types, key considerations, examples, historical context, applicability, comparisons with related terms, FAQs, and references.
Surveyor: A Detailed Exploration
A comprehensive examination of the role of a surveyor, including their tasks, tools, techniques, and significance in various fields such as real estate, construction, and environmental studies.
Syndication: Method of Selling Property
Syndication is a method of selling property whereby a sponsor, or syndicator, sells interests to investors. This can take various forms, including partnerships and corporations.
Synthetic Lease: Rental Agreement Shifting Obligations
A comprehensive overview of synthetic leases, a rental agreement that shifts all obligations, risks, and costs of the property to the tenant while the owner receives a fixed rent. Also known as a credit-tenant lease.
Tangible Asset: Physical Assets with Real-World Presence
A comprehensive exploration of tangible assets, including their definitions, types, examples, historical context, applications, comparisons, and related terms. Learn about the physical assets that play a vital role in various facets of economy and investment.
Tangible Personal Property: Definition and Examples
Tangible Personal Property refers to assets that can be seen, touched, and measured but are not categorized as real estate. This article explores the definition, types, examples, and key considerations in distinguishing between tangible personal property and real estate.
Tax Abatement: Reprieve from a Tax Obligation
An in-depth examination of tax abatement, a government incentive often used to encourage real estate or industrial development by partially or completely forgiving tax obligations.
TAX STOP Clause: Property Tax Limiting Provision in Leases
A TAX STOP clause in a lease agreement limits the amount of property taxes a lessor must pay, preventing unexpected increases beyond a predetermined threshold. Learn about its functionality, examples, historical context, and related terms.
Tax-Deferred (Tax-Free) Exchange: Understanding Section 1031
A comprehensive guide to understanding tax-deferred exchanges, primarily concerning property under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. This entry explores the concept, applications, and implications of such exchanges in the context of real estate.
Tax-Exempt Property: Understanding Non-Taxable Real Estate
An in-depth guide to tax-exempt property, a type of real estate that is not subject to property taxes, including examples, types, and special considerations.
Taxable Value: An Essential Financial Assessment
Understanding the concept of Taxable Value, its calculation, its significance in real estate and property taxation, and its interplay with Assessed Valuation.
Tenancy In Common (TIC): Real Estate Co-Ownership Structure
A comprehensive guide to Tenancy In Common (TIC) ownership, its mechanisms, benefits, and considerations, especially in relation to Section 1031 tax-free exchanges.
Tenancy in Severalty: Sole Ownership of Property
A comprehensive guide to Tenancy in Severalty, detailing the sole ownership of property by one person or legal entity, including definitions, examples, and legal implications.
Tenant Fixtures: Definition and Overview
Tenant fixtures are fixtures added to leased real estate by lessees, which, by contract or by law, may be removed by the lessee upon expiration of the lease.
Tenement: Explanation and Historical Context
An in-depth look at tenements, including their definition, types, historical significance, and modern implications.
Terminal Value: Remaining Property Value
An in-depth look at Terminal Value, the remaining or expected remaining value of a property at the end of a projection period, including methods of calculation, examples, and its importance in financial analysis.
Title Company: Ensuring Clear Property Ownership and Protecting Against Claims
A title company specializes in examining real estate titles to verify ownership and issuing title insurance to protect against claims or disputes regarding property ownership.
Title Search: Investigation of Public Records
A thorough investigation of documents in public record offices to determine the state of a property title, including liens, encumbrances, mortgages, future interests, and other factors affecting the property.
Total Loss: Damage so Extensive That Repair Is Not Economical
An in-depth look at the concept of Total Loss in various contexts including insurance, finance, and real estate, emphasizing the criteria and implications.
Tract House: Standardized Dwelling in Development
Tract houses, often found in suburban developments, are dwellings with similar style and floor plan to others in the same area. Frequently constructed by volume builders, these homes offer uniformity and affordability. They stand in contrast to homes built by custom builders, who provide unique designs tailored to individual preferences.
Transfer Development Rights (TDR): A Strategic Zoning Tool for Urban Development
Transfer Development Rights (TDR) is a zoning ordinance that enables property owners to sell development rights from low-density or conservation areas to other landowners, facilitating more concentrated development. This entry covers the concept, types, historical context, examples, and related terms.
Transfer Tax: Tax Paid Upon Transfer of Property or Valuable Interest
Transfer Tax refers to the tax imposed on the passing of title to property or valuable interest, often incurred during sales, inheritances, donations, and real estate transactions.
Unencumbered Property: Free and Clear Title in Real Estate
Detailed explanation of unencumbered property in real estate, emphasizing free and clear title, property ownership in fee simple, absence of liens, restrictive covenants, granted easements, and leases.
Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP): A Code of Professional Appraisal Standards
Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) are a set of standards established by the Appraisal Foundation that guide state-certified and organizational appraisal professionals in preparing appraisal reports.
Uninsurable Title: Real Estate Title without Insurance Coverage
An Uninsurable Title refers to a real estate title that cannot be covered by title insurance due to significant defects or claims. This entry explores the reasons, examples, and implications of an uninsurable title.
Unoccupied: See Vacant
Unoccupied refers to a state where a space or object is not currently being used or inhabited. For more details, see 'Vacant'.
Unrecorded Deed: An Overview
An unrecorded deed is a legal instrument that transfers title from one party (grantor) to another party (grantee) without providing public notice of the change in ownership. It is essential to record a deed to protect one's interest in real estate.
Upgraders: Definition and Insights
Upgraders, also known as 'move-up' buyers, are individuals seeking to purchase a more desirable home, typically one that is larger, better located, or has enhanced amenities.
Upside-Down Mortgage: Definition, Implications, and Solutions
An in-depth exploration of upside-down mortgages, where the loan balance exceeds the property's market value, leading to negative equity.
Utility Easement: Use of Another's Property for Utility Purposes
A comprehensive overview of utility easements, including their definition, types, legal considerations, examples, historical context, applicability, comparisons, related terms, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and references.
VA Loan: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Home Loan
A VA Loan is a mortgage home loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. It offers benefits like no down payment and low interest rates to eligible veterans.
Vacancy Rate: Percentage of Unoccupied Units or Space
The vacancy rate represents the percentage of all units or spaces that are unoccupied or not rented. It is a crucial metric in real estate and finance, used to estimate the vacancy allowance on a pro-forma income statement, which is then deducted from Potential Gross Income (PGI) to derive Effective Gross Income (EGI).
Vacant Land: Definition and Context
Vacant Land refers to parcels of land that are not currently being used for any purpose. They may have utilities and off-site improvements.

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