A summary of a court judgement filed with the County Recorder.

A summary of all recorded proceedings and investments that affect a property’s title.

A tax calculation that provides greater depreciation in the early years of ownership of real estate or personal property.

A loan provision which allows the lender to declare the loan due immediately in full and payable if another specific loan provision is violated. This is also referred to as the Due on Sale Clause.

An agreement between a buyer and seller to enter into a contract and be legally bound by its terms.

Earned but unpaid interest.

In accounting, the amount of depreciation expense that has accumulated to date.

A declaration by a document’s signer that he or she voluntarily signed the document, made before a duly authorized person.

The price and all fees required to purchase a property.

Money which is borrowed for the specific purpose of buying a property.

A two-dimensional measure of land that is equal to 43,560 square feet or 4,840 square yards.

An additional article or provision which has been attached to an existing contract.

Additional money paid as part of the monthly payment in order to reduce the principal and shorten the length of the loan.

Land which is attached, contiguous, or shares one or more borders.

A mortgage loan whose rate may be changed at specific intervals over the life of the loan.

Required for calculating the Gain on Sale. Original Basis (Purchase Price) plus Capital Improvements plus Cost of Sale less Cumulative Depreciation (on property and capital improments).

The cost of any improvements the seller makes to the property. This cost is deducted from the original sales price to find a home’s net profit or loss after it is sold.

The original cost of the property, reduced by depreciation deductions and increased by capital expenditures.

The time between interest rate adjustments in an adjustable-rate mortgage.

A person appointed by a court to administer the estate of a deceased person who left no will.

A legal document used to transfer property by the administrator of an estate.

A method of acquiring a property when an occupant has been in legal occupancy of the property for a set period of time (variable by state).

A written statement, sworn to or affirmed before a legally authorized officer or agent.

The relationship between a principal and his agent as defined by a contract in which the principal asks the agent to perform certain deeds on behalf of the principal.

To transfer title and possession of property to another party.

An all inclusive trust deed is identical to a wraparound mortgage. It is used in states that use trust deeds instead of mortgages.

A loan that is repaid in several installments, each containing a portion used to reduce the principal amount of the loan and a portion that is applied to pay interest. Each payment designates a larger portion to principal reduction and a smaller portion to interest payment, until the outstanding balance is eventually paid off in full.

The maximum amount by which the interest rate on an adjustable rate mortgage can increase or decrease during a one-year period.

The yearly rate of interest for a loan, including points and fees. The Truth-in-Lending Law requires the disclosure of this rate.

A preliminary notification that informs one party that the other party will not fulfill the obligations of their original contract.

The estimated value of a property. The Appraised Value is determined by comparable sales for residential properties, replacement cost for insurance properties, or income approach for commercial properties.

When a property’s value increases.

Extra payments, such as prior months’ interest or overdue payments in default.

A property offered with no guarantees related to its condition.

A property’s value that is established for property tax purposes.

The party to whom an Assignor sells or transfers an agreement or contract.

The method by which a party transfers a right or contract.

The party who assigns or transfers a contract or agreement to another party (the Assignee).

An existing mortgage in which the new purchaser of a property is made liable for the payments and any other obligations of the note and mortgage. Depending on the type of loan, the new purchaser’s assumption of these obligations may require a process of approval, and may or may not release the original borrower from future liability. A written release from the mortgagee (lender) is required for the original borrower to be relieved of responsibility for the payments.

The formal agreement of a tenant to be a tenant to a landlord.

A real estate contract that takes effect in the event that a previous agreement is not fulfilled.

See Principal Balance.

A loan with fixed monthly payments that will amortize it over a stated term (for example, 20 years), but requires an additional lump sum payment of the principal balance, in full, at an earlier date (for example, 10 years).

An installment payment that is (often substantially) larger than the loan’s other regular payments. The Balloon Payment is usually the loan’s last payment and may be higher than the regular payment by many thousands of dollars.

A legal procedure through which a debtor seeks relief from outstanding debts because he or she is financially unable to pay them.

After a bankruptcy proceeding is completed, the debtor is released from an obligation to repay his or her debts.

One hundredth of one percent.

The person who will receive or is receiving the benefits from a particular act.

A contract under which both parties are obligated to conduct certain deeds or tasks.

A written document used to transfer the title of a property to another owner.