Radon
A naturally appearing radioactive gas found in some buildings, that, in sufficient concentrations, may cause health problems.
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RAM
Reverse annuity mortgage.
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Ranch House
Once described a low, one-story house typical of the western United States. The term is now used to describe just about any one-story home.
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Rate
The annual rate of interest for a loan. Also called the interest rate.
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Rate Change Cap
The maximum amount that an interest rate can change, either at an adjustment period or over the entire life of the loan. Commonly associated with an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM).
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Rate Improvement Mortgage
A fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) that includes a clause allowing the borrower the option to reduce the interest rate one time (without refinancing) during the first few years of the loan term.
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Rate Lock
An agreement by a lender to guarantee the interest rate offered for a mortgage provided that the loan closes within the specified period of time.
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Rate of Interest
Same as interest rate.
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Real Asset
Real asset can be defined as an asset that is very valuable on the basis of its utility value - real estate. It is a contrast to nominal asset.
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Real Estate
Real Estate is sometimes referred to as realty. It comprises of a land inclusive of any buildings on it.
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Real Estate Agent
A person licensed to negotiate the purchase and sale of real estate on behalf of buyers and sellers.
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Real Estate Broker
Real Estate Broker is a person licensed under the state of his/her function, to arrange the buying and selling of real estate. He/she earns a fee or commission on his sale.
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Real Estate Investment Trust
Real Estate Investment Trust is the name expansion for REIT. It is a corporation that uses the pooled in capital of many investors to purchase and manage income property and mortgage loans. They are usually traded like stocks. Equity REIT is a REIT that takes the ownership position in a real estate investment.
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Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit in short is known as REMIC. REMIC is an investment-grade mortgage bond, which separates mortgage pools into different maturity and risk categories.
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Real Estate Owned
Real Estate Owned is short referred to as REO. Refers to a property at the time of a foreclosure. It is the property in the possession of a lender as a result of foreclosure or forfeiture.
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Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)
A consumer protection law that requires mortgage lenders and brokers to give borrowers advance notice of closing costs in the form of a Good Faith Estimate.
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Real Property
Land and anything permanently affixed to the land, including structures, trees, minerals, and the interest, benefits and rights thereof.
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Realtor®
A real estate broker or associate who is an active member of a local real estate board that is affiliated with the National Association of Realtors.
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Recapture
Recapture refers to a contract stipulation that permits the seller of an asset to at least partially retrieve asset ownership. A recapture agreement is usually valid only within a specific time period.
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Reconveyance Fee
This fee is charged by title companies or attorneys in some states and covers the cost of removing your current lender's lien from your property title when you refinance. For our comparison purposes, a reconveyance fee is considered to be a third party fee and may be included in the title insurance fee by some lenders.
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Recordation Exam
A fee charged by the title company in some states to review documents, to assure they meet the state standards prior to being recorded. For our comparison purposes, a recordation exam is considered to be a third party fee and may be included in the title insurance fee by some lenders.
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Recorder
The public official who keeps records of transactions that affect real property in a specific geographic area (usually a county). Often known as a County Recorder or County Clerk.
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Recording
The entering in a book of public record the details of a properly executed legal instrument that affects title to real property, thereby making it a part of the public record.
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Recording Fees
A fee charged by the local government to record mortgage documents into the public record so that any interested party is aware that a lender has an interest in the property. For our comparison purposes, a recording fee is considered to be a tax or other unavoidable fee.
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Refinance
The process of paying off any existing mortgages on a home with a new mortgage loan.
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Rehabilitation Mortgage
A loan granted to cover the costs of repairing or improving an existing property. Sometimes also used to acquire property with the intent to improve it.
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REIT
Real Estate Investment Trust is the name expansion for REIT. It is a corporation that uses the pooled in capital of many investors to purchase and manage income property and mortgage loans. They are usually traded like stocks. Equity REIT is a REIT that takes the ownership position in a real estate investment.
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Release Fee
The fee charged to release a lien to free real estate from a mortgage.
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Remaining Balance
The amount of principal owed on a loan that has not yet been fully repaid.
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Remaining Term
The number of payments left to be made on a loan before it is fully amortized (paid in full).
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REMIC
Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit is the name expansion for REMIC. Is an investment grade mortgage bond that separates the mortgage pools into different maturity and risk classifications.
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Remise
Remise refers to the act of to give up, release, or quit-claim interest in real estate.
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Rent Loss Insurance
An insurance policy that protects a landlord against loss of rent or value due to natural casualties that renders the premises unsuitable for use, and therefore excuses the tenant from paying rent.
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REO
REO is the abbreviation for Real Estate Owned. It is the property that is in the possession of a lender in case of foreclosure or forfeiture.
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Repayment Plan
An agreement between a lender and a borrower, made to help the borrower repay delinquent installments.
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Replacement Reserve
An amount set aside from net operating income for replacement of short-lived common property in cooperative housing projects such as condominiums.
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Rescission
The cancellation of a contract by the operation of a law or by mutual consent. In some circumstances, borrowers have the right to cancel a transaction within three business days after closing.
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RESPA
See Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.
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Retail Sales
Measures the total receipts of retail stores. Monthly percent changes reflect the rate of changes of such sales. Changes in Retail Sales are widely followed as an indicator of consumer spending. Frequency: monthly. Source: Commerce Department.
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Retirement Plan 401(k) & 403(b)
Employer-sponsored investment plans that allows individuals to set aside tax-deferred income for retirement or emergency purposes. 401(k) plans are provided by private corporations. 403(b) plans are provided by non-profit organizations.
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Retirement Plan 401(k) & 403(b) Loans
Some administrators of 401(k) and 403(b) plans allow for loans against the funds you have accumulated in these plans.
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Reverse Mortgage
See Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM).
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Revolving Credit
A credit agreement (typically a credit card) that allows a customer to borrow against a pre-approved credit line when purchasing goods and services. The borrower is only billed for the amount that is actually borrowed plus any interest due.
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RHS
See Rural Housing Service.
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Right of First Refusal
A contract provision that requires a property owner to give another party the first opportunity to purchase or lease the property before it is offered to others.
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Right of Ingress or Regress
The right to enter or leave specific property or premises.
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Right of Redemption
Right of Redemption refers to the right of the property owner to redeem his/her real estate property from foreclosure by paying off the amount owed.
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Right of Survivorship
In joint tenancy, the right of surviving joint tenants to acquire the interest of a deceased joint tenant.
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Rural Housing Service (RHS)
An agency within the United States Department of Agriculture that provides financing to farmers and other qualified borrowers buying property in rural areas, who are unable to obtain loans elsewhere.
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