PLEASE CHOOSE BELOW:
  
Home Home
 
Selling Your House Selling Your House
Buying A Home Buying A Home
 
View Our Inventory View Our Inventory
SEARCH FOR A HOME! SEARCH FOR A HOME!
 
How To Contact Us How To Contact Us
 
Financial Tools Financial Tools
VA Beach Buyer Info VA Beach Buyer Info
Give Us Your Feedback!



 
Glossary of terms Print E-mail
Written by Jody Cowdrey   
Wednesday, 19 April 2006
Home Buyers Guide
Words To The Wise
Below is a handy guide of terms that buyers need to know.

Agent
A person acting on behalf of another, called the principal.
 
Agreement of Sale
Known by various names, such as “contract of purchase”,"purchase agreement”,"sales agreement”, or"binder”, according to location or jurisdiction. A contract in which a seller agrees to sell and a buyer agrees to buy, under certain specific terms and conditions spelled out in writing and signed by both parties. 
 
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
Includes quoted interest rate on the loan plus all additional service and finance charges associated with the loan. Includes all costs of financing; those paid at the time of closing and those paid over the term of the loan. The APR is usually slightly higher than the note rate.
 
Appraisal
An expert judgment or estimate of the quality or value of real estate as of a given date.
 
Assessed Value
The valuation placed upon property by a public tax assessor as the basis for taxes.
 
Bill of Sale
An instrument which transfers title to personal property (chattels); a"Deed" transfers real property.
 
Certificate of Title
A document signed by a title examiner or attorney, stating that the seller has a good marketable and insurable title.
 
Closing Statement (Settlement)
The computation of financial adjustments between buyer and seller as of the day of closing a sale to determine the net amount of money which buyer must pay to seller to complete purchase of the real estate and seller’s net proceeds. Also,"settlement sheets”,"HUD-1".
 
Commission
Payment to a real estate broker for services performed.
 
Convey
To deed or transfer title of property from one person to another.
 
Deed
A formal written instrument by which title to real property is transferred from one owner to another. Also,"conveyance".
 
Deed of Trust
Like a mortgage, a security instrument whereby real property is given as security for a debt. However, in a deed of trust there are three parties to the instrument: the borrower, the trustee, and the lender (or beneficiary).
 
Earnest Money
The money given to the seller by the potential buyer (usually held in escrow) upon the signing of the agreement of sale to show that buyer is serious about buying the house. Also,"deposit".
 
Equity
The interest or value which owner has in real estate over and above the debts against it. (Sales Price – Mortgage Balance = Equity.)
 
Escrow
Funds, property, or other things of value left in trust to a third party. The escrow may be released upon the fulfillment of certain conditions or by agreement of the parties.
 
Fixture
What was formerly personal property which is now permanently attached to real property and goes with the property when it is sold.
 
Hazard Insurance
Protects against damages caused to property by fire, windstorms, and other common hazards.
 
Listing Contract
Between a homeowner (as principal) and a licensed real estate broker (as agent) by which the broker is employed to market the real estate within a given time for which service the owner agrees to pay a commission. Also,"listing agreement".
 
Market Value
The highest price which a buyer, ready, willing and able but not compelled to buy, would pay, and the lowest price a seller, ready, willing and able but not compelled to sell, would accept. Basis for"listing price", or"asking price".
 
Market Price
The actual amount for which a piece of property is sold. Also,"sales price","purchase price".
 
Mortgage
A lien or claim against real property given by the buyer to the lender as security for money borrowed.
 
Mortgage Note
A written agreement to repay a loan. The agreement is secured by a mortgage, serves as proof of an indebtedness, and states the manner in which it shall be paid. Also,"deed of trust note".
 
P.l.T.I.
Principal, interest, taxes, and insurance. Most residential mortgage payments include the above and are therefore referred to as P.I.T.I. Also,"carrying charges".
 
Points
Sometimes called"discount points", a point is one percent of the amount of the mortgage loan.
 
Prepayment Penalty
Penalty for the payment of a mortgage note or deed of trust note before it actually becomes due.
 
Principal
This word has several meanings:
(A) to denote the most important;
(B) a capital sum lent on interest;
(C) one who appoints an agent to act on their behalf;
(D) either party to a contract.
Property Management
The operation of real property, including the leasing of space, collection of rents, selection of tenants, and the repair and renovation of the buildings and grounds.
 
Prorate
To allocate between seller and buyer their proportionate share of an obligation paid or due. For example, a prorate of real property taxes, fire insurance, or condominium fee.
 
Sales Associate
A person with a real estate license and associated with a specific real estate broker.
 
Survey
A map or plat made by a licensed surveyor showing the results of measuring the land with its elevations, improvements, boundaries, and its relationship to surrounding tracts of land. A survey is often required by the lender to assure a building is actually sited on the land according to its legal description.
 
Title
As generally used, a document that indicates rights of ownership and possession of a particular property.
 
Title Abstract
A summary of the public records relating to the title to a particular piece of land. An attorney or title company reviews an abstract or title to determine whether there are any title defects.
 
Title Insurance
Protects lenders and homeowners against loss of their interest in property due to legal defects in title.
 
Title Search or Examination
A check of the title records, generally at the local courthouse, to make sure the buyer is purchasing a house from the legal owner and there are no liens, overdue special assessments, or other claims.
 
Transfer Tax
State tax, local tax (where applicable), and tax stamps (in some areas) required by law when title passes from one owner to another.


Ask your Long & Foster Sales Associate for a copy of the"Understanding the Role of the Real Estate Agent"(LF1192, for use in the state of Maryland only);"A REALTORS® ROLE"(LF1193, for use in the state of Virginia only); or"The Agency Disclosure Brochure" (LF1195, for use in the District of Columbia only).

© 2002 The Long & Foster® Companies. All Rights Reserved.

 
< Prev   Next >
 

G6 REALTORS
Long and Foster real estate
Kempsville Sales Office
963 Providence Square, Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Office: 757-467-0200

You came to the right place for information on Virginia Beach Real Estate, including the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, and Hampton. If you're interested in Real Estate and homes for sale in the Virginia Beach area, we have all of the information you need to make an informed decision.

For information on Virginia Beach Real Estate Agents, Virginia Beach Real Estate Agency, Click here. Also, we're an excellent source for Virginia Beach Real Estate Assessments, neighborhoods, information for first time home buyers, census data, buyer's guides and sellers guides.

Contact us at any time for more information on Virginia Beach Real Estate. We look forward to working with you!

Visit VirginiaBeachMLSListings.net to search for Virginia Beach VA Real Estate and Homes for Sale In Virginia Beach
Click Here for Jody Cowdrey, Virginia Beach Real Estate Agent

Visit VirginiaBeachMLS.net to search for Virginia Beach VA Real Estate
Click Here for Jody Cowdrey, Virginia Beach Real Estate Agent

Virginia Beach MLS Listings 

Free Market Analysis Report for Homes in Virginia Beach

CAMP LEJEUNE HOMES FOR SALE, JACKSONVILLE NC REAL ESTATE, ALL CAMP LEJEUNE MLS LISTINGS ONLINE