|
Radon |
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 |
- NUMBER1EXPERTS™ 
All real estate transactions require the help
of numerous local businesses. 
