Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB)
The Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB) is a professional organization dedicated to providing advanced learning opportunities and fostering the leadership skills of real estate brokerage managers.
Equity of Redemption
The Equity of Redemption is a legal concept in real estate that allows mortgagors to reclaim their foreclosed properties by paying off the outstanding mortgage debt and associated fees before the foreclosure sale is finalized.
Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM)
The Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM) is a metric used by real estate investors to evaluate the potential profitability of an investment property based on its rental income.
R Value
R Value is a measure of the heat conductivity of a material. The higher the R value, the better the material serves as insulation from heat transfer, commonly applied to insulating materials, roofs, exterior walls, windows, and doors.
Racial Steering
Racial Steering refers to the practice where real estate agents guide prospective homeowners towards or away from certain neighborhoods based on their race. This practice is illegal and contributes to racial segregation in housing.
Radius Clause
A radius clause in a shopping center tenant's lease restricts the tenant from opening another store within a specified distance from the shopping center to prevent competition and reduced traffic to both the existing store and the shopping center. This is often crucial for anchor tenants and can also apply to ancillary tenants.
Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that can accumulate in buildings, posing potential health risks. Particularly in well-insulated homes, radon levels can rise to harmful concentrations.
Rafter
A rafter is a structural member, often made of timber or a beam, that supports a roof by providing a framework from the ridge or hip of the roof to the wall plate.
Ranch House
A Ranch House is a one-story house design that originated in the western United States, characterized by its long, low, and rambling style.
Range
In real estate, 'Range' can refer to a variety of concepts, including mathematical data range, undefined grazing land, or a division of land in the government rectangular survey system.
Range Lines
Lines parallel to a principal meridian, marking off the land into six-mile strips known as ranges in the government rectangular survey system.
Rate
In real estate, 'Rate' refers to the ratio of periodic income or change to the amount invested or initial amount. This metric is used in various contexts such as calculating interest on loans, investment returns, population growth, and occupancy in buildings.
Rate Cap
A rate cap refers to predetermined limits placed on adjustments to the interest rate on an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), safeguarding borrowers from excessive rate fluctuations over the life of the loan.
Rate Guarantee
A rate guarantee, also known as a locked-in interest rate, ensures that the interest rate on a mortgage loan will not change for a specified period, even if broader market interest rates fluctuate during that time.
Rate Improvement Mortgage
A Rate Improvement Mortgage is a type of mortgage loan that includes a provision allowing the borrower to reduce the interest rate when market rates decline. This option can generally be exercised only once during the life of the loan.
Rate Lock
A Rate Lock secures a specified interest rate for a mortgage, assuring homebuyers or refinancers that their rate will not increase between the date of the agreement and the closing date of the loan, provided the borrower closes within the specified time frame and there are no changes to their application.
Rate of Interest
The rate of interest, also known as the interest rate, is the proportion of a loan that is charged as interest to the borrower. It is a crucial factor in real estate financing and investment.
Rate of Return
The Rate of Return is the percentage gain or loss on an investment relative to its cost, offering a snapshot of the investment's profitability.
Rate of Return on Investment (ROI)
The Rate of Return on Investment (ROI) measures the profitability of an investment, determining the efficiency of various investment choices.
Ratio
A ratio expresses the quantitative relationship between two numbers, showing the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other.
Raw Land
Raw land refers to undeveloped land that lacks improvements such as buildings, utilities, streets, drainage, and landscaping. Often, raw land is purchased for development purposes, such as constructing residential subdivisions or commercial properties.
Ready, Willing, and Able
In real estate, a 'ready, willing, and able' buyer is someone who has the intent, financial capability, and preparedness to fulfill the terms of a property purchase. This concept is essential for brokers to earn their commission.
Real Capital Analytics (RCA)
Real Capital Analytics (RCA) is a premier data provider for commercial real estate sales and income capitalization rates, offering comprehensive market intelligence and analytics.
Real Estate
Real estate refers to land and anything attached to it, including buildings and other structures. It encompasses ownership, use, and transfer of physical property. Real estate business activities include accounting, appraisal, legal advising, brokerage, counseling, regulation, and financing.
Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent is a licensed professional who represents buyers or sellers in real estate transactions. Real estate agents are generally compensated on a commission basis and operate under the supervision of a real estate broker.
Real Estate Appraiser
A Real Estate Appraiser is a professional who evaluates and estimates the value of properties. The appraiser considers many factors, including location, condition, and market trends, to provide an unbiased opinion of the property's market value. Their services are crucial for transactions such as buying, selling, refinancing, and property taxation.
Real Estate Board
A real estate board, also known as a Board of Realtors®, is an organization established for professionals within the real estate industry to provide support, education, and networking opportunities.
Real Estate Broker
A Real Estate Broker is a licensed professional who represents buyers or sellers in real estate transactions. They usually own and operate their own brokerage or work independently, overseeing other real estate agents.
Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (REBAC)
The Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (REBAC) is a former name of an organization committed to educating real estate agents about working with buyers.
Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (REBAC)
REBAC is an affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS that focuses on ensuring a high level of expertise and representation for buyers in the home-buying process. It offers the Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) designation.
Real Estate Commission
A Real Estate Commission is a fee charged by a real estate agent or broker for their services in facilitating a real estate transaction, typically a percentage of the property's sale price.
Real Estate Contract
A real estate contract defines the terms agreed upon by a buyer and seller regarding a real estate transaction. This legal document ensures all parties understand their obligations and rights.
Real Estate Counseling Group of America (RECGA)
A distinguished collective of leading experts specializing in real estate valuation, business valuation, research, advisory, counseling, and market analysis services.
Real Estate Educators Association (REEA)
The Real Estate Educators Association (REEA) is a professional organization of individuals who specialize in teaching real estate across various educational platforms, including junior colleges and proprietary license preparation schools.
Real Estate Information Standards (REIS)
Real Estate Information Standards (REIS) provide a comprehensive set of guidelines for the collection, processing, and dissemination of real estate information, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and transparency across the industry.
Real Estate Information Systems (REIS)
Real Estate Information Systems (REIS) are technological platforms designed to gather, store, analyze, and manage data related to real estate operations. They are essential for streamlining property management, facilitating transactions, and providing sophisticated market analysis.
Real Estate Investment Advisory Council (REAIC)
The Real Estate Investment Advisory Council (REAIC) is a national nonprofit trade association that serves as a platform for commercial real estate principals to share ideas, concerns, and experiences. REAIC is headquartered in Atlanta, with active regional chapters in Los Angeles and Phoenix.
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)
A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is an investment vehicle that allows investors to invest in real estate or mortgages without directly owning the property. REITs avoid double taxation by distributing most of their income to shareholders and complying with specific IRS requirements.
Real Estate License
A Real Estate License is a certification that allows regulators to ensure that real estate agents and brokers meet minimum requirements for honesty, competency, and securing the legal rights of consumers within real estate transactions.
Real Estate Market
The real estate market consists of potential buyers and sellers of real property at any given moment, as well as the current transaction activity surrounding such properties. It encompasses various segments including housing, office spaces, condominiums, and land.
Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (REMIC)
A Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (REMIC) is an entity created for the purpose of holding a fixed pool of mortgages and issuing mortgage-backed securities to investors in a tax-efficient manner.
Real Estate Mutual Fund
A Real Estate Mutual Fund is a regulated investment vehicle focused on investing in securities offered by real estate-related companies, including REITs, real estate development and management firms, and homebuilders.
Real Estate Operating Company (REOC)
A Real Estate Operating Company (REOC) is a publicly traded real estate company that chooses not to adopt the tax status of a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), allowing it to reinvest earnings and operate without restrictions on the type of real estate businesses it conducts.
Real Estate Operating Company (REOC)
A Real Estate Operating Company (REOC) is a business entity engaged in the direct ownership, operation, management, and development of real estate properties. Unlike Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), REOCs do not necessarily have to distribute a significant portion of their earnings as dividends and are not subject to the same regulatory requirements.
Real Estate Owned (REO)
Real Estate Owned (REO) refers to properties that a lender, typically a bank, has acquired through foreclosure. These properties are held in the lender's inventory until they are sold.
Real Estate Property Tax Deduction
A real estate property tax deduction allows homeowners to reduce their taxable income by the amount they pay in property taxes. This deduction can be claimed on an individual's federal income tax return under itemized deductions.
Real Estate Roundtable (RER)
The Real Estate Roundtable is an organization composed of leading owners, developers, and stakeholders in the real estate industry, focusing on legislative actions, policies, and government interventions affecting real estate finance, taxation, and investment.
Real Estate Salesperson
A Real Estate Salesperson is a licensed professional who assists buyers and sellers in real estate transactions, providing expert advice, market analysis, and negotiation skills to facilitate property sales.
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)
The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) is a federal law intended to provide greater transparency and knowledge to consumers about real estate transactions. It stipulates how mortgage lenders must treat applicants for federally-related real estate loans on properties containing 1–4 dwelling units. RESPA aims to eliminate unnecessary fees and ensure borrowers receive pertinent information to facilitate informed comparison shopping.
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)
The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) ensures that residential mortgage borrowers receive timely and accurate disclosures about the costs involving settlement procedures and protects them from unnecessarily high settlement charges caused by certain abusive practices.
Real Estate Tax
Real estate tax is a levy on property that the owner is required to pay. This tax is usually a major source of revenue for local governments and is often assessed as an ad valorem tax, based on the property's value.
Real Property
Real Property encompasses a variety of rights associated with the use and ownership of land and structures. It can include a full ownership interest, the use of a property under a lease, or partial interests like easements.
Real Property Trades or Businesses
Real Property Trades or Businesses encompass various activities in real estate such as development, construction, rental, and management. For tax purposes, a taxpayer must own an interest greater than 5% in the business for the hours to count toward material participation.
REALIST
REALIST is a comprehensive public records data source for Multiple Listing Service (MLS) systems, operated by CoreLogic’s division. It provides valuable property and market insights to real estate professionals.
Realized Gain
A realized gain refers to the financial gain generated from the sale or exchange of a property, though this gain may not always be subject to immediate taxation. In cases of tax-free exchanges, such as under Section 1031, the gain is realized but not recognized for tax purposes.
RealQuest
RealQuest is a comprehensive real estate data supplier that is a division of CoreLogic. It provides essential data on sales prices, property characteristics, real estate locations, tax data, and MLS data, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions.
REALTIST
A REALTIST is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), primarily consisting of minority brokers and real estate professionals who uphold a rigorous ethical code. They often represent minority communities and promote fair housing and homeownership opportunities.
Realtor Property Resource (RPR)
Realtor Property Resource (RPR) is an Internet-based data and information service designed exclusively for REALTORS®. It provides a comprehensive database that includes sales data from Multiple Listing Services (MLS), mortgage loans and foreclosure details, demographics, as well as additional government and private data related to real estate. The service is accessible for free to members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).
REALTOR.COM
REALTOR.COM is an official website maintained by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) offering a comprehensive resource for home buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals.
REALTOR®
A REALTOR® is a professional in real estate who subscribes to a strict code of ethics as a member of local and state boards and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).
REALTOR®-ASSOCIATE
A REALTOR®-ASSOCIATE is a licensed real estate salesperson who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) and operates under the supervision of a Realtor®-Broker.
REALTORS® Land Institute (RLI)
The REALTORS® Land Institute (RLI) is a specialized affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS® focused on facilitating land brokerage transactions across various categories including farms and ranches, undeveloped tracts of land, transitional and development land, and more.
Realty
Realty, also known as real estate, encompasses properties consisting of land and buildings on it, along with its natural resources like crops, minerals, or water. Realty is a crucial component of the economy and plays a significant role in investment, development, and personal wealth management.
RealtyRates.com
RealtyRates.com is a web platform that offers quarterly updates of survey data on capitalization rates for various types of income properties, including investor and developer surveys.
Reappraisal Lease
A reappraisal lease is a type of lease agreement where rental levels are periodically reviewed and adjusted based on appraisals conducted by independent appraisers. This ensures that the rent reflects the current market value of the property.
Reappraisal Lease (Revaluation Lease)
A reappraisal lease (also known as a revaluation lease) involves periodically reassessing the value of the leased property to adjust the rent accordingly based on prevailing market conditions. This ensures both the lessor and lessee engage under fair market terms over the lease duration.
Reassessment
Reassessment is the process of revising or updating the value estimate of property for ad valorem tax purposes. It forms the basis for determining the property taxes homeowners and businesses owe to local government entities.
Rebate
A rebate is a partial refund provided to a buyer, often as an incentive or concession. In real estate, rebates can be offered for various reasons, including promotional or marketing strategies.
Recapture Clause
A recapture clause is a provision in a contract that allows the party granting an interest (such as a lease) to take it back under specific conditions. Common in commercial leases, this clause provides a landlord the option to retake leased premises if the tenant's performance—usually measured by sales or revenue—falls below a defined threshold.
Recapture of Depreciation
Recapture of depreciation is a tax provision where the IRS recovers depreciation deductions upon the sale of an asset, often leading to significant tax implications for the property owner.
Recapture Rate
Recapture rate in appraisal describes the rate at which an investment is recovered in a wasting asset. It is added to the discount rate to derive the capitalization rate. This rate can be calculated using methods such as straight-line, sinking fund, or annuity.
Recasting
Recasting is the process of adjusting a loan arrangement, often to prevent default, by extending maturity or changing the interest rate.
Receiver
A receiver is an individual or entity appointed by a court to manage, oversee, and maintain a property that is involved in ongoing litigation to ensure that the property is preserved and managed properly.
Recession
A recession is characterized by a significant decline in economic activity across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales.
Reciprocal Easement Agreement (REA)
A Reciprocal Easement Agreement (REA) is a legal contract between owners of adjacent parcels of land, allowing the mutual use of both parcels for specified purposes such as access, parking, and utilities. REAs are commonly used in commercial developments to ensure seamless operation and movement between different parts of a property.
Reciprocity
Reciprocity in real estate refers to a mutual agreement between states to recognize and validate the real estate license an individual has earned in another state, simplifying the process for real estate professionals to work across state lines.
Reclamation
Reclamation refers to the process of converting land from an unusable or undevelopable state into a usable or developable state. It contrasts with Mitigation Land Bank.
Recognized Gain
Recognized gain is the portion of a realized gain that is subject to taxation in a so-called tax-free exchange, such as under the IRS Section 1031 rule.
Reconciliation in Real Estate Appraisal
Reconciliation in appraisal involves analyzing values from different valuation approaches to arrive at a final estimate of a property's market value.
Reconfiguration
Reconfiguration in real estate involves altering the physical shape or layout of a property to better suit new requirements, tenant needs, or functional uses.
Reconstructed Operating Statement
A tally of annual operating expenses for a Subject Property revised specifically for appraisal purposes. It considers stabilized annual figures and makes necessary adjustments to items to reflect accurate property operations and value.
Reconveyance
Reconveyance is the process through which the lender transfers the title of the property back to the borrower once the mortgage loan is paid off in full. This legal instrument removes the lender's claim and gives the property owner clear title.
Record Owner
The record owner is the individual or entity whose name is listed on the public records as the current legal owner of a property or asset.
Recorder
A Recorder is the public official responsible for maintaining records of documents pertaining to real property, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. This vital role ensures the documentation is publicly accessible.
Recording
Recording is the process of formally documenting instruments affecting the title to real property in a public registry, thus giving legal notice of the recorded facts to the world.
Recording Fee Closing Costs
Recording fee closing costs are charges incurred during the real estate transaction to record documents, such as the deed or mortgage, in public records. These fees are mandatory and generally paid to local government offices to ensure the transaction is officially noted and legally recognized.
Recourse
Recourse refers to the legal right of a lender to claim money from a borrower in the event of default, in addition to repossessing the property pledged as collateral.
Recovery Fund
The Recovery Fund is generally administered by Real Estate Commissions and requires licensees to contribute. It reimburses aggrieved persons who are unable to collect from brokers for wrongdoings.
Rectangular Survey System (Government Rectangular Survey System)
The Rectangular Survey System, also known as the Government Rectangular Survey System, is a method used in the United States to divide and describe land using a grid system based on principal meridians and baselines. This system was established by the Land Ordinance of 1785 to simplify and standardize land descriptions.
Red Herring
A red herring is a preliminary prospectus filed by a company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), typically used in the process of going public. It provides potential investors with information about the company but is subject to change.
Redeem (Mortgage)
The act of curing a default by paying off all overdue loan payments and applicable penalties before a lender can initiate foreclosure proceedings.
Redeemable Rent
Redeemable rent refers to a lease arrangement where the rent paid can be applied toward the purchase price of the property. This type of arrangement is often seen in lease-to-own agreements, offering tenants the possibility of becoming property owners.
Redemption Period
The redemption period is the time during which a former owner can reclaim their foreclosed property by paying off the debt and any associated legal fees.
Redevelop
Redevelopment involves the demolition of existing improvements and the construction of new improvements on a site. The new improvements often differ from the old ones in various aspects...
Redfin
Redfin is a popular real estate brokerage and listings service that provides detailed information on residential properties for sale, including photos, pricing, and factual details. It also connects users with brokers who are Redfin agents.
Rediscount Rate
The rediscount rate is the interest rate charged to commercial banks and other financial institutions for borrowing funds from the Federal Reserve's discount window. It plays a crucial role in monetary policy and financial regulation.
Redlining
Redlining is an illegal discriminatory practice in which lenders refuse to offer mortgages or other financial services to individuals based on the location of their property, often predominantly affecting communities of color. It can cause significant economic harm and contribute to the deterioration of neighborhoods.
Reduction Certificate
A Reduction Certificate is a document issued by a mortgage lender, acknowledging the sum due on the mortgage loan, and is crucial when mortgaged property is being sold and the buyer assumes the existing debt.
Reentry
Reentry is the legal right of a landlord to take back possession of the property once the tenant's lease term has expired.

Real Estate Lexicon

With over 3,000 definitions (and 30,000 Quizes!), our Lexicon of Real Estate Terms equips buyers, sellers, and professionals with the knowledge needed to thrive in the real estate market. Empower your journey today!

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