by Ethan Atkinson | Jan 20, 2026 | A-E, PropertyPedia, Real Estate
Cost basis is the dollar amount assigned to property at the time it is purchased under the Internal Revenue Code’s guidelines. This dollar amount is the basis for determining the owner’s gain or loss when they sell the property. It is also used to...
by Ethan Atkinson | Jan 20, 2026 | A-E, PropertyPedia, Real Estate
Imaginary lines used by surveyors to find and describe the location of private or public lands. In government surveys, a baseline runs due east and west, meridians run due north and south, and are used to establish township boundaries.
by Ethan Atkinson | Jan 20, 2026 | A-E, PropertyPedia, Real Estate
A bargain and sale deed is a type of real estate deed that transfers ownership of a property from a seller to a buyer without guaranteeing that the title is free of problems. It says, in effect, “I own this property and I’m transferring it to you,” but it does not...
by Ethan Atkinson | Jan 20, 2026 | A-E, PropertyPedia, Real Estate
A band of investment is used in real estate valuation, most often used in commercial appraisal. A band of investment is a way to estimate how much return an investment property needs to generate for the investor by looking at how it is paid for. Most income-producing...
by Ethan Atkinson | Jan 17, 2026 | A-E, PropertyPedia, Real Estate
A note calling for periodic payments which are insufficient to fully amortize the loan, so that a principal sum known as a balloon is due at maturity. A balloon note is a loan arrangement in which the borrower makes regular monthly payments—often based on a longer...
by Ethan Atkinson | Jan 17, 2026 | A-E, PropertyPedia, Real Estate
A secondary offer to buy property, used in case the first offer fails. A backup offer is an offer submitted on a property after the seller has already accepted another offer. It is designed to take effect only if the primary, accepted contract falls through. In...
