In real estate finance, shared appreciation refers to an arrangement in which someone other than the buyer participates in the equity growth of a property. Under this type of agreement, the parties share certain expenses and also share in any increase in the...

In real estate law, severalty refers to an estate or ownership interest in property held by one person alone. It denotes sole ownership, without any co owners or shared interests. Remember that it is misleading that severalty has the word "several" in it, since it...

In real estate transactions, a settlement statement is a document that provides a detailed accounting of all costs and financial adjustments involved in a property sale. It itemizes credits, debits, fees, and charges associated with the transaction. Settlement...

In real estate and land use regulation, a set back ordinance is a provision of a zoning ordinance that controls how far a structure must be located from a property’s lot lines. It establishes minimum required distances between improvements and the boundaries of a...

In real estate finance, servicing loans refers to the ongoing supervision and administration of a loan after it has been originated. These activities ensure that the loan remains in good standing and that all contractual obligations are properly managed. Loan...

In real estate and marital property law, separate property refers to property owned by a married person individually and not as part of the community estate. This property belongs solely to one spouse and is not subject to division as community property. Separate...

In real estate brokerage, a selling agent is the real estate agent who procures the buyer in a transaction. This agent represents the party who brings the buyer to the property, regardless of who originally listed it. The selling agent may be different from the...

In real estate law, seisin, also spelled seizin, refers to the possession of real property by a person who is legally entitled to it. It denotes both ownership and the right to possess the land. Historically, seisin was an important concept in establishing lawful...

In real estate and commercial finance, a security interest is the legal interest a creditor holds in the property of a debtor to secure payment or performance of an obligation. It gives the creditor rights in the collateral until the debt is satisfied. Under the...

In real estate and commercial finance, a security agreement is a contract between a debtor and a secured party that creates a security interest in personal property. It is governed by the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code. The security agreement identifies the...