Real Estate Terminology, Wording
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Gladwin Real Estate Information

Deed
A written document that conveys the ownership of real estate from one person or party to another
Deed-in-lieu, or Deed-in-lieu of Foreclosure
A deed given by a mortgagor to the mortgagee when the mortgage is in default, to avoid foreclosure
Deed of Trust
A written document that grants a trustee, in the event of foreclosure, the full power to sell, mortgage and subdivide the
property in question
Deed Restriction
A clause in a Deed that limits the uses of the property (types or quantities of structures permitted)
Default
The failure to meet the legal obligations in a contract; in real estate, failure to pay mortgage payments as scheduled or to
comply with other stipulations of the mortgage
Deferred Interest
Interest on a mortgage which is delayed because the monthly payment of the mortgage is not large enough to cover the entire
principal and interest due, and therefore is added to the loan balance See "negative amortization"
Deficiency Judgment
A claim made by the holder of a note against the maker, in the event that a foreclosure sale does not bring in enough
proceeds to fully cover the note and the costs of sale, for the difference
Delinquency
Failure to make mortgage payments when mortgage payments are due. For most mortgages, payments are due on the first
day of the month. Even though they may not charge a "late fee" for a number of days, the payment is still considered to be
late and the loan delinquent. When a loan payment is more than 30 days late, most lenders report the late payment to one or
more credit bureaus.
Delivery
The final, unconditional and absolute transfer of a Deed from seller to buyer, such that the seller cannot revoke the transfer of
ownership; the Deed itself does not pass title until the seller delivers it to the buyer
Deposit
A sum of money given in advance of a larger amount being expected in the future. Often called in real estate as an "earnest
money deposit."
Depreciation
A decline in the value of property; the opposite of appreciation. Depreciation is also an accounting term which shows the
declining monetary value of an asset and is used as an expense to reduce taxable income. Since this is not a true expense
where money is actually paid, lenders will add back depreciation expense for self-employed borrowers and count it as income.
Devise
To dispose or convey ownership of real property via a will
Disclosure
A statement of facts made by the buyer about the condition of a property being sold and its surrounding area, required by law
in most US states
Discount Point
A unit of measurement used for loan charges, with one point equaling 1 percent of the value of the loan
Dower
The rights of a spouse to the property of their deceased spouse
Down Payment
The amount of the purchase price of a property paid in cash (i.e. not financed with a mortgage) that is required to secure the
property.
Dual Agency
Representation of opposing parties in a transaction, (when a realtor is the agent for both buyer and seller); requires consent
of both parties to be allowed, and is illegal in some US states
Due-on-sale Clause
A provision in a mortgage allowing the lender to demand payment of the entire balance of the note if the mortgagor sells or
otherwise transfers the property