The Real Estate
Encyclopedia: A-E

In real estate, Equity is the value of an owner’s financial interest in a property, calculated as the property’s current market value minus the total of all outstanding loan balances secured by the property. It represents the portion of the property that the owner...

In real estate, Equitable Ownership refers to the rights of a person who has a beneficial interest in a property but does not yet hold legal title. This commonly occurs when a buyer, such as a vendee under a land sales contract, has the right to obtain legal title...

In real estate and lending, Equal Credit Opportunity refers to the protections established by the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which prohibits lenders from discriminating against credit applicants based on certain personal characteristics. These include sex,...

In real estate and financial transactions, Endorsement is the act of signing one’s name on the back of a check or promissory note to transfer or guarantee the instrument. An endorsement may be made with or without additional wording that limits or clarifies the...

In real estate, an Encroachment occurs when a structure or improvement extends onto or over the property of another without legal authorization. Common examples include walls, fences, driveways, or portions of buildings that cross a property boundary. Encroachments...

In real estate law, Eminent Domain is the power of a government entity to acquire private property for public use through a legal process known as condemnation. Public uses may include roads, schools, utilities, or other projects intended to benefit the community as a...

In real estate law, Emblements are growing crops that are produced through annual cultivation, such as wheat, corn, or vegetables. Although they are attached to the land while growing, emblements are considered personal property rather than real property. The concept...

In real estate and architecture, Elevation refers to the exterior design or vertical view of a structure as seen from one side, most commonly the front. It shows the arrangement and appearance of features such as doors, windows, rooflines, and exterior materials....

In real estate law, Ejectment is a legal action brought to recover possession of real property from someone who is unlawfully occupying it. The purpose of an ejectment action is to establish the plaintiff’s right to possession and to remove the occupant who has no...

In real estate finance, the Effective Interest Rate is the true percentage of interest a borrower pays for the use of borrowed money. It reflects the actual cost of the loan after considering factors such as discount points, fees, loan structure, and the timing of...