- Earnest MoneyA sum of money given to bind a sale of real estate. Also known as earnest money. Read More
- Earnest Money DepositMonetary deposit typically made by the homebuyer when they enter into a contract with the seller. The deposit usually will not be refunded to(...) Read More
- Earthquake StrapA metal strap used to secure gas hot water heaters to the framing or foundation of a house. Intended to reduce the chances of having the water(...) Read More
- EasementA right held by a person or entity to make limited use of another’s real property. Read More
- EaveThe edge of a roof that connects with the wall of the building. Usually this part of the roof comes out further than the wall. Read More
- EavesThe horizontal exterior roof overhang. Read More
- Edge FlashingThe metal trim that is placed on the edge of the roof covering the seam between the roof plan on the eave and the fascia board. Sometimes(...) Read More
- Effective Gross IncomeEffective Gross Income is the Potential Gross Rental Income plus other income minus vacancy and credit costs of a rental property. EGI is(...) Read More
- EfflorescenceA whitish powder that sometimes oozes from the mortar joints in masonry work. Read More
- EggshellA type of paint finish, or gloss. The finish/sheen of eggshell is somewhere between flat (no gloss) and semi-gloss (some gloss). Read More
- EgressTypically synonymous with’exit,' the path or right-of-way a person may leave a property. Read More
- Egress WindowEgress windows are large windows that can double as an emergency exit. They also have specific requirements according to building codes. Read More
- Ejectment(1) Eviction or dispossession. (2) A law suit to regain possession of real estate held by another. Read More
- Elbow (Ell)A plumbing or electrical fitting that lets you change directions in runs of pipe or conduit. Read More
- Electric LateralThe trench or area in the yard where the electric service line (from a transformer or pedestal) is located, or the work of installing the(...) Read More
- Electric Resistance CoilsMetal wires that heat up when electric current passes through them and are used in baseboard heaters and electric water heaters. Read More
- Electrical Entrance PackageThe entry point of the electrical power including: (1) the’strike' or location where the overhead or underground electrical lines connect to the(...) Read More
- Electrical RoughWork performed by the Electrical Contractor after the plumber and heating contractor are complete with their phase of work. Normally all(...) Read More
- Electrical TrimWork performed by the electrical contractor when the house is nearing completion. The electrician installs all plugs, switches, light fixtures,(...) Read More
- ElectricianA construction professional specialized in the installation and fixing of electrical equipment. Read More
- ElevationA view of an architectural model taken horizontally, looking at a vertical surface in a design. Read More
- Elevation drawing1. A drawing of the exterior or interior of a building as seen from a horizontal position - without dimensional perspective. 2. The side view of(...) Read More
- Elongated BowlAn alternative to the standard round toilet bowl shape. The elongated toilet bowl is oval in shape and is about 2 €³ longer than a round toilet bowl. Read More
- Eminent DomainThe right of a government to take privately owned property for public purposes under condemnation proceedings upon payment of its reasonable value. Read More
- EnamelA paint or enamel made so that its coating, when dry, has some luster but is not very glossy. Bathrooms and kitchens are normally painted semi-gloss Read More
- EncroachmentThe extension of a structure from the real estate to which it belongs across a boundary line and onto adjoining property. Read More
- EncumbranceA claim, right or lien upon the title to real estate, held by someone other than the real estate owner. Read More
- EndorsementAddition to or modification of a title insurance policy that expands or changes coverage of the policy, fulfilling specific requirements of the(...) Read More
- Energy StarA program supported by the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) that recognizes products that are energy efficient. Energy Star labels can(...) Read More
- Engineering ReportReport generated by an architect or engineer describing the current physical condition of the property and its major building systems, i.e.,(...) Read More
- Environmental ReportReport generated by an qualified environmental firm to determine potential environmental hazards in a building's region or within the building itself. Read More
- Environmental RiskRisk of loss of collateral value and of lender liability due to the presence of hazardous materials, such as asbestos, PCB's, radon or leaking(...) Read More
- Equal Credit Opportunity ActA federal law that requires lenders to make credit equally available without regard to the applicant’s race, color, religion, national origin,(...) Read More
- Equal Housing OpportunityAll American citizens can have the opportunity to live in different housing communities regardless of their age, disability, gender, familial(...) Read More
- EquifaxOne of the three major credit bureaus in the US. See Credit Reporting Bureau. Read More
- EquityA difference between a property's market value and the monetary amount owed to the lender who holds the mortgage. Equity is the amount the owner(...) Read More
- Equity MultipleThe total net profit returned over the lifetime of an investment plus the maximum equity invested, expressed as a multiple of the maximum equity(...) Read More
- Escalation ClauseWhen buyers anticipate multiple offers on a property they are looking to purchase; they can include an escalation clause in the contract that(...) Read More
- EscrowIn the title industry, refer to the deposits made to an impartial third party of anything pertaining to a real estate transaction - including(...) Read More
- Escrow AccountAn account held by the lender to which the borrower pays monthly installments, collected as part of the monthly mortgage payment, for annual(...) Read More