Real estate definitions Dictionary provided as a
service by Sandra Conley, Broker of
HB Land and Homes, Palmdale, California.
Home buyers and sellers - please visit www.real-estate-palmdale.com or call 1-877-SCONLEY for more
information on buying or selling a home ANYWHERE in the Antelope Valley and
surrounding areas!
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Valley - Canyon Country - Juniper Hills - Lake Elizabeth - Lake Hughes - Lake Los Angeles
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for more information
IMPLIED CONTRACT:
An agreement which is not reduced to writing but is created, under the common law, on the
basis of the behavior of the parties which suggests that they are acting under an
agreement.
IMPLIED WARRANTY:
A guarantee of the condition of a thing or the truth of a statement which is created as a
result of the actions of a party but not written down.
IMPOUNDS:
A trust-type account established by lenders for the accumulation of funds to meet taxes,
FHA mortgage insurance premiums and/or future insurance policy premiums required to
protect their security. Impounds are usually collected with the note payment.
IMPOUND ACCOUNT:
The trust account held by a lender into which payments for insurance, taxes, etc., paid by
the borrower are placed prior to being disbursed by the lender.
IMPROVED LAND:
Also known as "developed land". Opposite of "raw or vacant land". Land
which someone has, by dint of their labour, taken out of the state of nature.
IMPROVEMENTS:
Things built on land which become a part of the real property.
IMPROVEMENT RATIO:
A comparison of the value of the improvements of a property with the value of the property
without the improvements.
IMPUTED INTEREST:
Interest which is deemed to have been charged on a loan by a court.
IN REM:
Latin term meaning "Against the thing." Used to describe a legal action which is
taken against land rather than against the land owner, such as a bank's foreclosure on a
defaulted mortgage.
INCHOATE:
Describes something that has been begun but never completed or a right that has arisen but
is not yet enforceable (such as Dower rights).
INCOME APPROACH:
One of the three methods in the appraisal process; an analysis in which the estimated
income from the subject residence is used as a basis for estimating value.
INCOME PROPERTY:
Property that produces rent.
INCOMPETENT:
One who is incapable; any person who is, by reason of age, disease, weakness of mind or
any other cause, unable, unassisted to properly manage and take care of himself or his
property, and by reason thereof, would be likely to be deceived or imposed upon by artful
or designing persons.
INCORPOREAL PROPERTY:
Real estate in which a person has a legal interest but no right of possession and
occupation.
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.
INCURABLE DEPRECIATION:
The presence of a defect in an asset (i.e. a building) which is too costly to fix.
INDEMNIFY:
To take responsibility for the losses and damages suffered by another person.
INDEMNITY:
A document in which one party agrees to take responsibility for the losses and damages
suffered by another party or parties.
INDENTURE:
Similar to a contract. An agreement between two or more parties, often referring to land.
INDEPENDENT APPRAISAL:
An estimate of the value of a property prepared by someone who has no interest in the
property or, if a mortgage is involved, in the lender.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR:
A legal term for a person who is hired to do work for another person but who is not an
employee or agent of that person. The hiring person is not responsible for the actions of
the Independent Contractor nor does she owe that Independent Contractor the same legal
duties owed by an Employer to an Employee under labor and employment laws.
INDEX:
Any rate published by an independent third party (the government, the federal bank, etc.)
which serves as the base for calculating a variable item in a contract. (A Variable or
Adjustable Rate Mortgage may use the Federal Bank's monthly prime interest rate as the
index for the interest charged under that mortgage).
INDEXED LEASE:
A rental agreement where the amount of the rent to be paid changes in accordance with
changes in a specified index (i.e. the cost of living index).
INDEXED LOAN:
Any loan whose interest rate is adjusted in accordance with a rate published by an
independent third party (an "index").
INDIRECT COSTS:
Also known as "soft costs", those costs which are not automatically considered
in a construction project.
INDUSTRIAL PARK:
A parcel of land specifically developed to provide lots for industrial activities.
INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY:
A plot of land used for a factory or other industrial use.
INFRASTRUCTURE:
Term for the public-use improvements made to an area such as sewers, roads, bridges, and
public utility installations.
INGRESS:
Means of entering property.
INHERIT:
To acquire property by will or succession.
INHERITANCE TAX:
An assessment payable to a level of government based on the value of assets inherited.
INITIAL INTEREST RATE:
The rate chargeable on a mortgage on the day it is signed.
INITIAL RATE PERIOD:
The period of time for which the "initial interest rate" is guaranteed on a
Variable or adjustable rate mortgage before it begins to change according to its
"index".
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.
INNER CITY:
A slang term for the older, central residential area of a municipality which, in many
cases, has deteriorated into poverty.
INSIDE LOT:
Term for a property that is not on a corner at the intersection of two roads.
INSPECTION:
A physical examination of a person, document or other thing, such as a home.
INSPECTOR:
Any person charged with the task of making a physical examination of a person, document or
other thing. Could be employed by a government body (i.e. an electrical inspector, fire
inspector) or by a potential purchaser (a home inspector).
INSTALLMENT:
A regular periodic payment.
INSTALLMENT CONTRACT:
Same as land contract.
INSTALLMENT LOAN:
A loan which is paid back in periodic payments.
INSTALLMENT NOTE:
A note which provides that payments of a certain sum or amount be paid on the dates
specified in the instrument.
INSTALLMENT SALE:
The sale of a property with the Vendor taking back a mortgage from the purchaser and
paying the taxes on the sale proceeds as they are collected.
INSTALLMENT SALES CONTRACT:
A land contract.
INSTITUTIONAL LENDER:
An accredited financial organization (i.e. a bank, trust company, credit union, etc.)
which offers loans.
INSTITUTIONAL MORTGAGE:
A loan secured against real property offered to the land owner by a bank, credit union,
trust company or other accredited financial organization. Opposite of "private
mortgage".
INSTRUMENT:
A written legal document created to effect the rights of the parties.
INSURABLE INTEREST:
A legal right to a property which results in the holder of that right suffering damages in
the event of the destruction of the property.
INSURABLE TITLE:
Ownership of land which a Title Insurance Company is willing to insure.
INSURABLE VALUE:
The cost of replacement of all improvements to a property which could conceivably be
destroyed.
INSURANCE:
A contract in which one party agrees to compensate another party for any losses or damages
caused by risks identified in the contract in exchange for the payment of a lump sum or
periodic amounts of money to the first party.
INSURANCE BINDER:
Written evidence that insurance is in effect with regard to the property and the risks set
out in the binder. Temporary in nature, the binder assures coverage until permanent
coverage can be arranged.
INSURANCE COVERAGE:
Term to describe the monetary limits and risks covered as set out in a contract or policy
of insurance.
INSURED CLOSING LETTER:
A promise by a Title Insurance Company to a lender to pay for all costs and losses to the
lender which might result from the actions of the Company's closing agent while closing a
transaction.
INSURED MORTGAGE:
A loan secured against land for which an insurance policy exists promising to compensate
the lender for all losses and costs resulting from the borrower's failure to meet her
obligations under the loan agreement.
INTANGIBLE VALUE:
An asset which is not physical. Goodwill, patent rights.
INTER VIVOS:
Latin meaning "during life". Used to describe a gift made during a person's
lifetime (as opposed to a bequest in a will) or a trust.
INTEREST:
1. A person's legal right to an asset or property.
2. The cost of borrowing money, charged as a percentage of the outstanding amount owed.
INTEREST ADJUSTMENT DATE:
The date upon which the borrower is required to pay accrued interest on the borrowed
principal under a mortgage, which date falls one full payment interval before the first
payment date as set out in the agreement. For example, if a mortgage is advanced on May 15
to be paid on the first day of each month, June 1 would be the interest adjustment date
and July 1 the first payment date. On June 1, the borrower would be required to pay the
interest that has accrued on the principal since the date of the advance (May 15).
INTEREST ACCRUAL RATE:
The rate, stated as a percentage, at which interest accumulates on a mortgage.
INTEREST PAYMENT:
The portion of each periodic payment on a loan, expressed in dollars, which is allocated
toward accrued interest.
INTEREST RATE:
The percentage of a sum of money charged for its use.
INTEREST RATE ADJUSTMENT PERIOD:
The length of time between changes in interest rate on an Adjustable or Variable rate
mortgage.
INTEREST RATE BUY DOWN PLAN:
A method of reducing the effective interest charged to a borrower. A third party (often a
vendor) deposits a lump sum into an account, portions of which are then used to reduce the
amount required from the borrower for each periodic payment over a set period of time.
INTEREST RATE CAP:
A clause in an Adjustable or Variable rate mortgage which limits the change in the
interest rate charged. May limit change within a single adjustment period or over the life
of the mortgage.
INTEREST RATE CEILING:
The highest rate of interest chargeable under a Variable or Adjustable rate mortgage, as
set out in the mortgage contract.
INTEREST RATE FLOOR:
The lowest rate of interest chargeable under a Variable or Adjustable rate mortgage, as
set out in the mortgage contract.
INTEREST-ONLY LOAN:
A debt for which the periodic payments are enough to pay only the interest which
accumulates on the principal over the payment period. Principal is due at maturity.
INTERIM FINANCING:
1. A construction loan to pay for costs up to completion;
2. Another name for a bridge loan, a short-term loan designed to cover a gap of time
between the purchase of a new home and the sale of the old when equity becomes available.
INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE:
Simple style of house, with little or no ornamentation.
INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE DIGEST
The source for independent real estate information
INTERSTATE LAND SALES ACT:
Federal law administered by HUD regulating the practice of the sale of land between people
in different states.
INTERVAL OWNERSHIP:
Where title in a property is shared among a group of people, each of whom is entitled to
occupation of the property for a specified period of time each year. Also known as
"time-sharing".
INTESTATE:
A person who dies having made no will, or one which is defective in form, in which case
his estate descends to his heirs at law or next of kin.
INTESTATE SUCCESSION:
Inheriting property when the deceased had no will or a defective will.
INVENTORY:
A list of the stock and fixtures of a business.
INVERSE CONDEMNATION:
When the government damages property and the owner sues the government for damages.
INVESTMENT PROPERTY:
Vacant land held for an expected increase in value.
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INVOLUNTARY CONVERSION:
Loss of land through natural forces or through government action.
INVOLUNTARY CONVEYANCE:
A transfer of title without the owner's permission.
INVOLUNTARY LIEN:
A lien imposed against property without consent of an owner; taxes, special assessments,
federal income tax liens, etc.
IRREVOCABILITY DATE:
Time and day specified in an offer until which the offeror may not retract the offer,
until which the offeree may accept the offer.
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.
ITALIAN VILLA:
A large, two- or three-storey house in the Latin style, with overhanging eaves and masonry
construction.
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SANDRA CONLEY, BROKER of HB LAND AND HOMES, PALMDALE,
CALIFORNIA. PLEASE CALL 1-877-SCONLEY FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE.
Serving Palmdale - Rancho Vista - Quartz Hill - East Lancaster - West Lancaster - Ana
Verde - Rosamond - Acton - Leona Valley - Littlerock - Canyon Country - Aqua Dulce - Sand
Canyon - Antelope Acres - Antelope Valley - Bouquet Canyon - Green Valley - Lake Elizabeth
- Lake Hughes - Santa Clarita and the surrounding communities of AV & Los Angeles
County.
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