# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Occupancy Report
An occupancy report provides a comprehensive summary of a building's occupancy status, detailing pertinent information about tenants, vacant spaces, and leasing terms. This report is essential for property managers, owners, and investors to assess the property’s performance and make informed decisions.
Off-Site Costs
Expenditures related to construction that are spent away from the place of construction. Off-site costs can include expenses associated with extending utilities and infrastructure needed to service a development project.
Off-Site Improvements
Off-site improvements refer to the various infrastructural developments made to areas surrounding a specific land development or subdivision, necessary for its functional integration. These improvements can range from access streets and utilities to sewers and drainage systems.
Offer and Acceptance
Offer and acceptance is a fundamental concept in contract law that requires a clear and unequivocal offer by one party and an unambiguous acceptance by the other party, forming a legally binding agreement once acceptance is communicated.
Offer in Real Estate
An offer in real estate signifies a formal proposal from a buyer to a seller, showcasing a buyer's willingness to purchase property at a specified price or terms.
Offeree
An offeree is the individual or entity that receives an offer or proposal in the context of a contract negotiation. In real estate, this typically refers to the party that receives a purchase or sale offer.
Offering Price
The 'Offering Price' refers to the amount a prospective buyer offers for a property on the market. This crucial figure determines the start of a negotiation process and can heavily influence the final transaction.
Offeror
An offeror is an individual or entity that presents or extends an offer to another party in a real estate transaction. This term is crucial in contract law as it denotes the party who initiates the contractual agreement.
Office Building
An office building is a structure primarily used for conducting business activities such as administration, clerical services, and client consultations. These buildings can vary in size and may house one or multiple business concerns.
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) HUD
The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) tasked with eliminating housing discrimination, promoting economic opportunity, and fostering diverse, inclusive communities. FHEO protects people from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status.
Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO)
The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) was an independent entity within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) responsible for ensuring the financial safety and soundness of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac until it was replaced by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) in 2008.
Office of Interstate Land Sales Registration (OILSR)
The Office of Interstate Land Sales Registration (OILSR) is a division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that regulates the offering of land for sale across state lines, ensuring transparency and protecting consumers.
Office Park
An office park is a planned development specifically designed to accommodate office buildings and their supportive facilities, such as restaurants and gyms. These parks may be tailored to attract particular types of tenants, including research or medical services.
OFFSET
In real estate, the term 'OFFSET' can refer to various contexts, including a reduction or counterbalance in value resulting from condemnation. It's often intertwined with terms like 'SETOFF' or 'SPECIAL BENEFITS,' relevant to compensation in property takings.
Oil and Gas Lease
An Oil and Gas Lease is a legal agreement that grants the right to explore, extract, and produce oil, gas, and sometimes other minerals from the land. The lease outlines terms such as the subsurface and surface rights, duration, extension terms, royalties, surface damages, assignments, and warranties.
OILSR (Office of Interstate Land Sales Registration)
The Office of Interstate Land Sales Registration (OILSR) supervises the regulation and oversight of interstate land sales, ensuring compliance with body legal requirements and protecting consumers from fraudulent practices. The OILSR helps maintain transparency and accountability in interstate land transactions.
On-Site
On-site refers to operations or services performed directly at the location, often related to property management, development, or various other activities.
One-Hundred Percent Location (Hundred Percent Location)
One-Hundred Percent Location refers to a premium commercial real estate zone with the highest foot traffic and visibility, making it the most desirable for retail businesses.
One-Hundred-Percent Location
The one-hundred-percent location refers to the specific spot in an urban area where land values and rents are the highest, often considered the 'best' or most prime location.
OPCO/PROPCO Deal
An OPCO/PROPCO Deal is a financial arrangement where a parent company creates a subsidiary property company to manage real estate assets. This deal structure allows the operating company to reduce debt exposure, improve credit ratings, and potentially avoid double taxation when the property company is set up as a REIT.
Open House
An open house is a method of showing a home for sale where the property is available for inspection by interested parties. During this event, potential buyers have the chance to explore the home without the need for a prior appointment.
Open Housing
Open housing refers to a condition where housing units can be purchased or leased irrespective of the buyer's or tenant's racial, ethnic, color, national origin, familial status, sex, or religious characteristics. This ensures equal housing opportunities for all and is supported by federal fair housing laws.
Open Listing
An open listing is a non-exclusive property listing arrangement where any number of brokers can participate, but only the broker who successfully secures a buyer receives a commission.
Open Mortgage
An open mortgage is a mortgage that has matured or is past its due date and hence remains open to foreclosure or repayment without any prepayment penaltiesat any time. It allows for flexibility for both the borrower and the lender.
Open Space
Open Space refers to land within a developed area that remains undeveloped and serves as an amenity to surrounding occupants.
Open Standards Consortium for Real Estate (OSCRE)
The Open Standards Consortium for Real Estate (OSCRE) is a not-for-profit, membership-funded, neutral consortium that facilitates collaboration on standardized data exchange in the real estate industry.
Open-End Mortgage
An open-end mortgage is a type of loan that allows the borrower to secure additional funds from the lender, with a ceiling amount set on the maximum borrowing limit typically based on a percentage of the property's appraised value.
Operating Budget
An operating budget outlines a reasonable expectation of future income and expenses from property operations, playing a crucial role in financial planning and management within real estate investments and enterprises.
Operating Capital
Operating Capital refers to the funds required to finance the day-to-day activities of a business. It is otherwise known as working capital and is essential for maintaining the operational liquidity necessary for running regular business operations.
Operating Covenants
Operating covenants in shopping center retail store leases are requirements that lessors and retail store lessees must observe to provide uniformity in the shopping center’s operations.
Operating Expense Ratio
The Operating Expense Ratio (OER) is a key metric used in real estate to measure the efficiency of a property's management by comparing its operating expenses to its potential gross income. A lower OER indicates a more efficiently managed property.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses in real estate refer to the costs incurred to operate and maintain a property. These include expenses like property taxes, utilities, hazard insurance, and maintenance, while excluding financing expenses and depreciation.
Operating Income
Operating income, also known as Net Operating Income (NOI), is a key financial metric used to assess the profitability of a real estate investment or business by calculating earnings before interest and tax deductions.
Operating Lease
An operating lease is an agreement where the lessee leases an asset from the lessor for a certain period but does not assume risks and rewards of ownership.
Operating Leverage
Operating leverage refers to the automatic increases in net operating income (NOI) or cash flow of income-producing real estate when income and expenses increase at the same rate; this effect is further enhanced when expenses are fixed.
Operating Statements
Operating Statements are comprehensive financial reports that provide detailed insight into the cash flow generated by a property, offering a snapshot of its financial health.
Opinion of Title
An Opinion of Title is a certificate, often provided by an attorney, that attests to the validity of the title to a property being sold. This document plays a crucial role in real estate transactions.
Opportunity Cost
Opportunity cost represents the potential benefits an individual, investor, or business misses out on when choosing one alternative over another. It mainly concerns the analysis of trade-offs and ensuring that the benefits of a pursued action or investment outweigh its associated costs.
Option
An option in real estate refers to the right to purchase or lease a property upon specified terms within a specified period.
Option ARM (Adjustable-Rate Mortgage)
An Option ARM (Adjustable-Rate Mortgage) is a type of mortgage loan that allows borrowers to select from multiple payment options each month, enabling flexibility based on financial circumstances. These payment options typically include fully amortizing payments, interest-only payments, and minimum payments that can lead to negative amortization.
Option to Purchase
An option to purchase is a contract granting the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy a property at a specified price within a set timeframe, subject to pre-defined conditions.
Optionee
An optionee is the individual or entity that receives an option to purchase property at a future date for a predetermined price. This provides the optionee the right but not the obligation to complete the transaction. Options are commonly used in real estate and financial markets.
Optionor
An optionor is the party that grants or sells an option contract, giving the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to purchase or sell an asset at a specified price within a set period.
Oral Contract
An unwritten agreement concerning the sale, rental, or use of real estate, often unenforceable under the Statute of Frauds, with few exceptions such as short-term verbal leases.
Ordinances
Municipal rules governing the use of land that provide specific regulations and guidelines for various land-related practices.
Ordinary Annuity
An Ordinary Annuity is a series of equal payments made at the end of consecutive periods, commonly used in financial planning, loan repayments, and retirement accounts.
Ordinary Income
Ordinary income refers to any type of income that is taxed according to the standard income tax rates established by taxing authorities. This category includes wages, salaries, commissions, interest, and other types of income that do not receive special tax treatment like long-term capital gains.
Ordinary Loss
An ordinary loss is a loss that is deductible against ordinary income for income tax purposes and is generally more beneficial to a taxpayer than a capital loss, which has limitations on deductibility.
ORE, OREO (Other Real Estate Owned)
ORE, or OREO, specifically refers to real estate assets that lending institutions hold due to foreclosures. These are properties not used for bank operations but retained as a consequence of loan defaults.
Orientation
Orientation refers to the positioning of a structure within a site concerning sunlight angles and prevailing winds, which influences energy efficiency, lighting, heating, cooling, and overall comfort.
Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is a building material composed of rectangular-shaped wood strands arranged in layers at right angles to one another, forming a strong and stiff panel bonded with waterproof adhesives.
Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is a type of engineered wood used extensively in construction and home improvement projects. Known for its strength and versatility, OSB consists of compressed layers of wood strands bonded together with adhesives.
Original Cost
The original cost represents the total purchase price initially incurred for acquiring an asset, including any associated acquisition expenses. This figure is essential for various financial calculations and reporting, forming the baseline for depreciation, amortization, or gain and loss assessments.
Original Equity
Original Equity refers to the initial amount of cash invested by the underlying real estate owner. It is distinct from concepts like sweat equity and capital calls, forming the base for calculating the owner's financial stake in the property.
Originate
Originate refers to the process by which a lender creates and funds a loan. Loan origination encompasses assessing and approving an applicant's creditworthiness, as well as disbursing funds to initiate the lending transaction.
Origination
Origination, specifically loan origination, refers to the process in which a borrower applies for a new loan and a lender processes that application. This includes various steps such as evaluating the borrower's creditworthiness, completing the application, underwriting, and funding the loan.
Origination Fees
Origination fees are charges to a borrower to cover the costs of issuing the loan, such as credit checks, appraisals, and title expenses.
Origination Process
The origination process encompasses all the steps required to fund a loan, including due diligence, financial planning, and necessary lender approvals, aiming at assessing and mitigating risk while optimizing financial outcomes.
Other People’s Money
Other People’s Money refers to borrowed funds that are invested in a money-making venture. This strategy uses debt to maximize investment profits or minimize the risk of personal loss. The underlying principle is financial leverage, which can significantly affect the return on investment.
Outparcel
An outparcel, also known as a pad site, refers to a piece of property on the perimeter of a larger development, such as a shopping center, that is designated for singular commercial use.
Outstanding Balance
Outstanding balance is the amount currently owed on a debt after accounting for payments already made toward the principal and interest. It is a key figure in managing financing and understanding one’s debt obligations.
Overage
Overage in leases for retail stores is the additional amount to be paid based on gross sales that exceed a predetermined threshold in addition to the base rent, often seen in percentage leases.
Overage Rent
Overage Rent, also known as Percentage Rent, is an additional rent payment that tenant retailers pay to their landlords based on a percentage of their sales over a specified base amount. Often used in shopping centers or retail spaces, it helps landlords share in the tenant’s success.
Overall Capitalization Rate
The Overall Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate) is a metric used to evaluate the return on investment of a real estate property, usually expressed as a percentage. It helps investors determine the potential profitability of a property by comparing the annual net operating income (NOI) to the property's current market value or acquisition cost.
Overall Rate of Capitalization (OAR)
The Overall Rate of Capitalization, often referred to as the Overall Rate of Return (ORR), is a key financial metric used in real estate to evaluate the income-generating potential of an investment property relative to its purchase price or market value.
Overall Rate of Return (OAR)
The Overall Rate of Return (OAR) is a metric that calculates the percentage yield of a property based on its Net Operating Income (NOI) divided by the property’s purchase price. This metric helps investors evaluate the profitability of real estate investments and compare different properties.
Overbuilding
Overbuilding occurs when there is more real estate construction in a specific area than the market can absorb within a reasonable amount of time. This imbalance between supply and demand often leads to vacant properties and lower rental rates.
Overimprovement
Overimprovement occurs when a property is improved to a level that it exceeds the optimal economic use for that particular property, resulting in a value that is not supported by the surrounding community or comparable properties.
Override
Override refers to a fee paid to someone higher in the organization, or a percentage paid from earnings for additional expertise or management oversight.
Owner Financing
Owner financing, also known as seller financing, is a real estate arrangement where the seller provides a loan to the buyer to purchase the property, bypassing traditional mortgage lenders.
Owner Occupant
An owner occupant is a resident of a property who also owns the property. This term differentiates from absentee owners and rental tenants and has significant implications for real estate, including financing and tax benefits.
Owner of Record
The term 'Owner of Record' refers to the person or entity listed in public records as the legal owner of a property. While the owner of record is the recognized owner in official documents, beneficial ownership may differ.
Owner's Title Policy
An Owner's Title Policy, also known as Mortgagor's Title Insurance, provides protection to property owners against potential losses due to title defects, liens, or other legal encumbrances on the property that may arise after purchase.
Owners' Equivalent Rent (of Primary Residence)
A data series produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Owners' Equivalent Rent (of Primary Residence) is used in compiling the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to track the rental value that the average owner-occupied home would command in the market.
Ownership Form
Ownership form methods influence various aspects of real estate management including income tax, estate tax, continuity, liability, survivorship, transferability, disposition at death, and bankruptcy.
Ownership in Severalty
Ownership in severalty, also known as tenancy in severalty, is a form of real estate ownership where a single entity holds sole title to a property. This arrangement provides the owner with exclusive rights and control over the property, without interference from others.
Ownership Rights to Realty Possession
Ownership rights to realty possession encompass the legal rights to control, enjoy, use, lease, and dispose of real property. These rights are fundamental to property ownership and are guided by state and federal laws.
P&I Principal and Interest (Payment)
P&I, or Principal and Interest, payments refer to the periodic payments made on a mortgage or loan that include both the loan principal and the interest accrued. These payments are common in various types of loans, including mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans.
P&L Statement (Profit and Loss Statement)
A P&L statement, also known as a profit and loss statement, is a financial document that provides a summary of a company's revenues, expenses, and profits/losses over a specific period.
Package Mortgage
A package mortgage is a type of mortgage arrangement where the principal amount loaned is increased by including both personalty (e.g., appliances) and realty (real estate) as collateral.
Packed Deals
Packed deals are mortgage loans that include excessive fees in the balance owed, which might be potentially illegal due to regulations in certain jurisdictions.
Pad Site
A pad site is an individual freestanding retail space that typically encompasses ¾ to 1½ acres, often located near larger shopping centers or commercial developments.
Paint-to-Paint
In the context of condominium or cooperative housing, 'paint-to-paint' defines the boundaries of exclusive unit ownership. The ownership typically extends to the interior walls, floors, and ceilings, described as being from 'paint to paint,' with the housing complex retaining ownership and responsibility for common structural elements like walls separating the units.
Paired Sales
The paired sales method is a real estate appraisal approach that involves comparing sales of properties that have similar characteristics to determine the impact of specific property features on market value.
Paired Sales Appraisal
Paired Sales Appraisal is a comparative method used to determine the value of a specific property attribute by comparing similar properties that differ in just that one attribute.
Panic Selling
Panic selling refers to the sudden, widespread urgency to dump properties on the market, typically incited by fear of a rapid decline in property values, often due to perceived detrimental changes in neighborhood conditions.
Paper Credit
Paper credit is a term used in real estate to describe a written obligation given or received instead of cash. It often includes negotiable instruments such as promissory notes or bonds.
Paper Plat
A concept map for showing how a parcel of land might be divided for residential or commercial development without the detailed surveying or official approvals from planning or zoning departments.
Paper Profit
Paper profit refers to the unrealized gain in value of a property which would be realized if the property were sold at its current market value. As long as the property remains unsold, the profit remains a 'paper' valuation and is not actual profit.
Parcel
A parcel is a defined piece of property under one ownership. It can be a standalone lot or part of a larger subdivision.
Parcel Identification Number (PIN)
A Parcel Identification Number (PIN), also known as an Assessor Parcel Number (APN), is a unique numerical identifier assigned by local tax assessors to uniquely identify a parcel of real estate.
Parking Ratio
Parking ratio refers to the number of parking spaces provided per 1,000 square feet of gross leasable area (GLA) in a property, ensuring adequate parking for tenants and visitors.
Parol Evidence
Parol Evidence concerns the use of oral agreements made prior to or at the time of writing a contract. The Parol Evidence Rule states that such oral agreements are generally inadmissible in court to contradict written agreements, except in cases of mistake or fraud.
Partial Eviction
Partial eviction occurs when a tenant is deprived of a portion of the leased property, often resulting in a reduced rent or relocated space within the property.
Partial Interest
Partial Interest refers to the ownership of a part of the ownership rights in a parcel of real estate, which can include rights like mineral rights or easements. It can also describe an undivided interest in a property shared with several other owners.
Partial Payment
Partial Payment is a payment that is less than the required monthly mortgage payment. Normally, lenders do not accept partial payments, but a lender may make exceptions during times of difficulty.
Partial Release
A provision in a mortgage that allows some of the property pledged to be freed from serving as collateral.
Partial Taking
Partial taking refers to the acquisition by condemnation of only a portion of a property or specific property rights, rather than the entire property.

Real Estate Lexicon

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