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.

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Finance & Returns

Cash-on-Cash Return

Annual pre-tax cash flow divided by total cash invested.

Finance & Returns

Cumulative Return

Total return over an entire holding period without annualizing.

Finance & Returns

Discount Rate

The interest rate used to discount future cash flows to present value.

Construction & Development

Owner’s Representative

A consultant managing a construction project on behalf of the property owner.

Construction & Development

Payment Bond

A surety bond guaranteeing the contractor pays subcontractors and suppliers.

Construction & Development

Performance Bond

A surety bond guaranteeing the contractor finishes the project as agreed.

Construction & Development

Pre-Development

The phase of a project covering planning, design, entitlements, and financing setup.

Construction & Development

Pro Forma

A projection of a property’s future income, expenses, and cash flows.

Construction & Development

Pro Forma Income Statement

A projected operating statement showing expected revenue and expenses post-construction.

Construction & Development

Punch List

A final list of small items to be completed or corrected before closeout.

Construction & Development

Punch List Walk

A pre-closing inspection identifying remaining items to be completed.

Construction & Development

Retainage

A portion of contractor payments withheld until project completion to ensure performance.