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Real Estate Dictionary

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

T

Tax sale

A sale of real property ordered by the court in order to raise money to cover delinquent taxes

Tenancy in common

A version of joint tenancy of a property, but without any right of succession by survivorship among the owners

Testate

To die having prepared and left a valid will

Testator

The individual who makes out a last will and testament

Time is of the essence

A condition in a contract requiring the completion of a certain act within a designated period of time

Time-share

A form of ownership interest which allows use of the property only for a fixed or variable period of time

Title

A legal document that evidences a person's ownership of and right to possess a property

Title insurance

Insurance that protects the owner or mortgagee against loss arising from disputes over or defects in the title to a parcel of real estate that arise after ownership has been transferred

Title search

Research into public title records to determine the current status of ownership of a piece of property; a licensed attorney must provide any legal interpretation of the records found

Torrens Title

Now a dated system (only used in a few US states) whereby the court issues a certificate establishing the extent of an individual's estate, including any exceptions noted

Township

A division of land that is six miles square, containing 36 square-mile sections

Tract

A specific parcel of land

Transfer of ownership

Any circumstance in which the ownership of a property changes hands, e.g., via outright, titled purchase, or the assumption of an existing on a property, or possession of the property via a land sales trust, even any transfer of a beneficial interest in the trust

Transfer tax

State or local taxes imposed on a transfer of ownership of real property

Trust

A right to a piece of property that is held for the benefit of another

Trust deed, or a Deed of trust

A written document that grants the trustee the title to a piece of property for the benefit of another, and which gives the trustee the power to sell, mortgage or subdivide the property

Trustee

A party who holds property for the benefit of another

Trustee's deed

A deed conveying land ownership executed by the trustee who holds the land in trust

Trustor

The borrower in a trust loan transaction

Truth-in-Lending

A federal law that requires disclosure by a credit institution or lender of the terms and conditions of a loan or mortgage, including the annual percentage rate and any other charges, to the borrower when they apply for the loan.
Also see Regulation Z

Two-step mortgage

An adjustable-rate mortgage that charges a below-market interest rate for a designated number of years (usually 5 or 7) after which the interest rate is adjusted to the current market conditions

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z



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Real Estate Tips

Real Estate Contracts >The Sales Price

After your search for a house and all the negotiations are over, you arrive at the the sales price. Finally, you feel some certainty about your bottom line. However, it is not unusual for there to be disagreements about what is included in the sales price. Careful drafting of the paperwork can help to avoid future disputes.

The following definitions may help. Real property is land and any permanent attachments, such as buildings, landscaping and fences. Personal property consists of movable possessions, such as furniture and clothing. A fixture is defined as an item of personal property which has become part of the real property by virtue of becoming permanently attached, such as a new sink, a Jacuzzi, or a chandelier.

The principal area of dispute about the sales price often relates to fixtures. Most preprinted real estate contracts will provide space for the fixtures to be listed. Whether you are selling or buying, you should make use of this space. Do not assume curtains, satellite discs, antennas or fireplace equipment come with the house. You should also make it very clear what you don't want left on the property. If you are specific about every item that may be questionable, you will greatly reduce the chances of a dispute after the closing.

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Real Estate Trivia

Q 
What is a VA home loan?

A 
The Office of Veterans Affairs guarantees small or no-down payment mortgage loans made by lenders to U.S. veterans.
See More Real Estate Trivia >

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