A to Z · 1055 Terms

Real estate & finance, demystified.

The jargon can be exhausting. Here’s a plain-English glossary covering real estate, lending, investment, and the business-finance ecosystem that surrounds them.

Download the full glossary

Leasing & Operations

Tenant Improvement (TI) Allowance

A landlord’s contribution toward customizing a leased space for the tenant.

Leasing & Operations

Triple Net Lease (NNN)

A lease where the tenant pays property taxes, insurance, and maintenance on top of rent.

Leasing & Operations

Use Clause

A lease provision specifying what activities the tenant can conduct in the space.

Leasing & Operations

Vacancy Rate

The percentage of total rentable units that are unoccupied at a given time.

Legal & Title

Adverse Possession Tacking

Combining consecutive periods of adverse possession by successive owners to meet the statutory term.

Legal & Title

ALTA

American Land Title Association — sets standards for title insurance policies and surveys.

Legal & Title

Bargain and Sale Deed

A deed that implies the seller has title but provides no explicit warranties.

Legal & Title

Bond for Deed

An installment land contract where the buyer takes possession but the seller retains title until paid.

Legal & Title

Bylaws (HOA)

The rules governing operation of a homeowners or condo association.

Legal & Title

CC&Rs

Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions — HOA rules governing a community.

Legal & Title

Chain of Title

The historical sequence of ownership transfers for a property.

Legal & Title

Cloud on Title

Any claim or encumbrance that may impair the marketability of a property’s title.