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Facade
The part of a building facing the street or a courtyard. |
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Fair Credit Billing Act
A federal law that governs credit and charge card billing
errors. If a credit or charge card company violates any provision,
consumers can sue to recover damages.
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Fair Credit Reporting Act
A federal law passed in 1971 that regulates the activity of
credit bureaus. It is designed to prevent inaccurate or obsolete
information from staying in a consumer's credit file and requires
credit bureaus to have reasonable procedures for gathering,
maintaining and disseminating credit information. The act
also requires credit bureaus to show a consumer their credit
file if the consumer presents proper identification, although
the bureau reserves the right to charge a fee for doing so.
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Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
A federal law passed in 1977 which outlaws debtor harassment
and other types of collection practices. The act regulates
collection agencies, original creditors who set up a separate
office to collect debts, and lawyers hired by the creditor
to help collect overdue bills. An original creditor--the company
or individual that originally granted the credit--is not covered
by the act, but may be covered by similar measures approved
by state governments. website |
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Fair Housing Act
Landmark federal law passed in 1965 and amended in 1988 that
makes it illegal to deny rent or refuse to sell to anyone
based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. The
1988 amendment expanded the protections to include family
status and disability.
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Fannie Mae
The official name of the Federal National Mortgage Association,
it is a congressionally chartered, shareholder-owned company
that buys mortgages from lenders and resells them as securities
on the secondary mortgage market.
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Farmer's Home Administration
A U.S. Department of Agriculture agency that provides credit
to farmers and rural residents. website |
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Fascia
A board that connects the ends of the roof rafters and provides
a surface to support gutters. |
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Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, law
The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, commonly known
as Freddie Mac. The company buys mortgages from lending institutions,
pools them with other loans and then sells shares to investors.
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Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
This government agency operates a variety of home-loan programs.
Its most popular is the Sec. 203(b), program, which provides
low-rate mortgages to buyers who make a down payment as small
as 3 percent.
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Federal National Mortgage Association
Now officially dubbed Fannie Mae, this federally chartered
agency buys mortgages from lending institutions, pools them
with other loans and sells shares to investors.
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Federal Reserve Board
A group of economists and other experts who set the nation's
monetary policy. Its chief
tool to control inflation is the power to control interest
rates.
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Federal style
The all-American home architecture style that evolved after
the Revolutionary War. Details include bigger windows and
a front doorway surrounded by glass and topped with an arched
window. |
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Federal Trade Commission
The government agency responsible for regulating a variety
of companies and industries, from credit bureaus and collection
agencies to timeshare operators and certain types of creditors.
National headquarters: Sixth and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington,
D.C. 20580. Phone: (202) 326-2222.
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Fee simple
This type of ownership is the maximum interest a person can
have in a piece of real
estate. It entitles the owner to use the property in any manner
they see fit, in accordance with state and local laws. |
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Fee simple defeasible
The owner of the property holds a fee simple title contingent
upon certain conditions. |
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Feng shui
An ancient Chinese belief that the physical characteristics
of a house and the positioning
of the home will affect the fortunes of the owner. |
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FF&E
Furniture, fixtures and equipment. Used as a dollar figure
in the bulk sale escrow. Will
have a serious tax consequence for both buyer and seller.
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FHA loans
Mortgages that are insured by the Federal Housing Administration.
The FHA's 203(b) loan program provides low-rate mortgages
to buyers who make a down payment as small as 3 percent. The
agency also operates loan plans for investors and purchasers
of rural property. apply for
an FHA mortgage |
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Fiduciary duty
The relationship of trust that buyers and sellers expect from
a real estate agent. The term also applies to legal and business
relationships. |
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Field changes
Modifications made on the construction site that do not match
blueprints. |
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Fill dirt
Soil brought in to solidify a finished foundation. |
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Filled land
An area where the ground has been raised by adding dirt, gravel
or other fill material. |
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Finder's fee
A fee in any amount that is paid to someone. |
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Finish grade
A finish that prepares a lot for landscaping. |
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Fire wall
A buffer composed of fire-resistant material. |
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Firm commitment
A promise made by a lender when it agrees to loan money for
the purchase of property. |
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First mortgage
The primary mortgage on a property that has priority over
all other voluntary liens. |
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Fixed installment
The monthly payment on a home loan. |
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Fixed time
The specific weeks in a year an owner of a timeshare arrangement
has access to accommodations. |
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Fixed-rate mortgage
A home loan with an interest rate that will remain at a specific
rate for the term of the loan. About 75 percent of all home
mortgages have fixed rates.
get
pre-qualified for a mortgage |
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Fixer-upper
A house that needs refurbishment or remodeling It usually
sells at a below-market price. |
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Fixture
Personal property permanently attached to a house, such as
drapery rods, toilets, built-in bookcases or a furnace. |
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Flashing
Metal strips placed around chimneys, skylights, vents, windows,
doors, beneath shingles and along seams in the roof to prevent
water seepage. |
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Flat fee
A set fee charged by a broker instead of a commission. |
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Flat roof
A roof with a level surface. |
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Flats
Sheets used in the room. Smaller motels will usually send
their sheets out to a commercial laundry. They will do the
wash cloths, towels and pillow cases in their own laundry. |
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Float floor drain
A drain that diverts water from the basement to a collection
area. Water is then removed with a sump pump. |
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Floating wall
Walls built to withstand movement in the basement floor. |
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Flood insurance
Hazard coverage that is required in designated flood areas. |
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Flood plain
Flat, flood-prone areas located along waterways. |
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Floor area ratio
The calculation of the floor area of all homes or buildings
in a project. It is used in the planning and development of
a site. |
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Florida rooms
Enclosed porches built on the side or back of a home. |
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Footings
Concrete foundations that support a structure. |
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For Sale By Owner (FSBO)
The owner acts as the agent to avoid paying a sales commission. |
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Forbearance
A course of action a lender may pursue to delay foreclosure
or legal action against a delinquent borrower. |
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Foreclosure
The legal process reserved by a lender to terminate the borrower's
interest in a property after a loan has been defaulted. When
the process is completed, the lender may sell the property
and keep the proceeds to satisfy its mortgage and any legal
costs. Any excess proceeds may be used to satisfy other liens
or be returned to the borrower. |
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Forfeiture
The relinquishing of property rights by a delinquent borrower. |
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Foundation
The support structure of a house. |
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Foyer
The entrance hall to a home or building. |
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Freddie Mac
The common name for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation,
a congressionally chartered institution that buys mortgages
from lenders and resells them as securities on the secondary
mortgage market.
website
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Free-market lots
Owners of these types of lots may hire any builder to construct
their home. |
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French doors
Two adjoining doors inlaid with glass that open from the middle. |
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Frontage
The portion of property that borders a roadway or body of
water. |
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Fully amortized adjustable-rate mortgage
A mortgage that amortizes, or pays down, the balance of a
loan.
create an amortization
table |
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Fully-serviced lease
Lease in which rent includes coverages of operating expenses
and taxes for the building. |
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Furnace
An enclosed heating device powered by coal, oil, propane or
natural gas. |
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Fuse
A device that allows power to be channeled into a home. |
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