A radioactive gas that can cause health problems
if present in sufficient concentration, found in some
structures
Rate cap
In an adjustable-rate loan, the ceiling on the
amount that the interest rate can be increased at each
adjustment
Rate lock, or lock-in
A commitment to a specified fixed interest rate
for a designated period of time, issued by a lender
Real estate agent
An individual trained and licensed to negotiate
the sale of real estate on behalf of the property owner
Real estate investment trust
(REIT)
An organization of individuals who purchase
certificates of ownership in the trust, which then invests their money in real
property, distributing the profits back to the individual investors free of
corporate income tax
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
(RESPA)
A federal consumer protection law that requires
certain disclosures of lenders to consumers relative to mortgage
loans
Real property
Land and appurtenances permanently on it,
including buildings, trees, minerals, and the interest, benefits, and inherent
rights thereof
Realtor
A real estate professional who holds active
membership in a local real estate board that is affiliated with the NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Realtor®
The registered trademark reserved for the sole
use of members of local Realtor boards affiliated with the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF REALTORS®; other real estate professionals who do not belong to the local
board may not advertise themselves as Realtors
Recision
The cancellation or annulment of a transaction
or contract based on law or by mutual consent
Recording
The entering or noting of documents affecting
all transactions of real estate in the recorder's office in each county, making
it public record; until recorded, a mortgage or deed is usually not valid
against subsequent buyers
Recording fees
Payment made to the lender for recording the
sale of a property with the county office
Refinance
To obtain a new mortgage loan on a property
already owned
Regulation Z
A federal law that requires disclosure by a
credit institution or lender of the terms, conditions, and full cost of a loan
or mortgage, including the annual percentage rate and any other charges, to the
borrower when they apply for the loan
Remainder
An interest in land that is postponed until the
termination of some other interest
RESPA
Abbreviation for the Real Estate Settlement
Procedures Act, which is a federal law that requires lenders to provide
information on estimated settlement costs, which is available for review by the
buyers one time after application, and again once prior to or at the
closing
Restrictive covenants, or Protective
covenants
A provision in a deed that limits how real
estate ownership may be used
Reverse-annuity mortgage
(RAM)
A loan or mortgage whereby the amount of the
monthly payments the borrower receives is based on accumulated equity, rather
than on the agreed-upon total sum loaned
Reversion
A clause in a transfer of title that returns the
property to the grantor upon specified events or occurrences
happening
Right of first refusal
The right specified in an agreement to have the
first opportunity to purchase or lease a given property before it is offered to
others, or alternately, the prior right to purchase a property based on the
same terms made by another buyer that were acceptable by the
seller
Right of survivorship
In joint tenancy, when one of the joint tenants
dies, the right of the survivors to the deceased's interest in the
property
Right-of-way
Permission to pass across the property of
another
Riparian rights
The right of an owner of property to make use of
waterways adjoining the property
Is there a real estate word that I failed to explain here in my dictionary for homebuyers and sellers? Let me be your personal real estate dictionary! I'll send a brief explanation of any word or term that you encounter when buying and selling property.
Do you have a suggestion of a real estate word that should be included? Let me know! I always appreciate feedback.
Fill out the form below for a quick response from me by email. It's free, without obligation, and I guarantee your privacy.