Abstract:
An abbreviation of all of the recorded deeds, mortgages, leases and the
instruments affecting the title to a particular piece of land.
Abut:
To touch or border upon. A piece of land bordering on a street or an adjoining
property is said to abut such street or property.
Appraise:
To estimate the value of real estate.
Assessed
Valuation: The estimated value of property for tax purposes
usually determined by the tax assessor for the particular municipality.
Closing:
Often referred to as "settlement". The process of completing a real
estate transaction during which deeds, mortgages, leases or other required
instruments are signed or delivered. Additionally, the accounting between
parties is made, monies disbursed and recording of all pertinent documents
prepared.
Conveyance:
The transfer of title to property from one person to another.
Deed:
An instrument by which title to real estate is conveyed from one party to
another.
Easement:
A right held by a person to enjoy or make limited use of another's real
property.
Eminent
Domain: The right of a government to take privately owned
property for public purposes under condemnation proceeding upon payment of its
reasonable value.
Encroachment:
The extension of a structure from the real estate to which it belongs across a
boundary line and onto adjoining property.
Encumbrance:
A claim, right, or lien upon the title to real estate held by someone other than
the real estate owner.
Escrow:
The depositing of money or documents from a real estate transaction with
an impartial third party (escrow agent), to be disbursed to the rightful party
when all conditions of the transaction have been met.
Fiduciary:
A person who bears a special relationship of trust, confidence and
responsibility to others, such as a trustee or agent.
Filing:
The delivery of real estate documents to a county/city recorder for recording.
First
Mortgage: A mortgage having a priority first lien position over
any other mortgage or lien on the same property.
Grant:
A transfer of real estate between individuals by deed.
Homestead:
Property designated by the head of a family as his home and primary residence.
Also defined as land claimed by a settler under the National Homestead Act.
HUD:
A summary of the financial portion of the real estate transaction required by
the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Indemnity:
Insurance against possible loss or damage. A title insurance policy is a
contract of indemnity.
Indenture:
A deed or other real estate contract executed between two or more parties.
Lender's
Title Insurance: An insurance policy, which protects the lender
against claims, and losses that may arise if the title is unmarketable or
defective.
Lien:
The liability of real estate as security for payment of a debt. Such liability
may be created by contract, such as a mortgage or by operation of law, such as a
mechanic's lien.
Marketable
Title: A title, which a court of equity considers to be so free
of material defects and liens that it will force acceptance by a purchaser. Also
known as a merchantable title.
Market
Value: The average between the highest price which a buyer is
willing to pay and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept.
Mechanic's
Lien: A
lien on real estate, created by operation of law which secures the payment of
debts due to persons who perform labor or services or furnish materials incient
to the construction of buildings and improvements on the real estate.
Owner's
Title Insurance: A policy of title insurance usually insuring
an owner of real estate against loss occasioned by defects in, liens against or
other conditions rendering the owner's title to the property unmarketable.
Quit
Claim Deed: A deed which does not imply that the grantor hold
title, but which surrenders and gives to the grantee any possible interest or
rights which the grantor may have in the property.
Real
Estate: Land, including all inherent natural attributes and
man-made improvements of a permanent nature placed thereon.
Record
Title: The aspects of title, which appear in the public
records, as distinguished from unrecorded title aspects and interests.
Restrictions:
Often called restrictive covenants. Provisions in a deed or other instrument
whereby an owner of land prohibits or restricts certain use, occupation and
improvement of the land.
Search:
Exploration of public records in an effort to find all recorded instruments
related to a particular chain of title.
Second
Mortgage: A mortgage ranking in priority immediately below a
first mortgage.
Survey:
The map or plot drawing of a property.
Title:
A legal right to own, posses, use, control, enjoy and dispose of real estate or
an inheritable right or interest therein.