chicago real estate glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Earnest Money Deposit:
The deposit to show that you're committed to buying the home. The deposit will not be refunded to you after the seller accepts your offer, unless one of the sales contract contingencies is not fulfilled.
Easement:
A right to the use of, or access to, land owned by another.
Employer-Assisted Housing:
A program in which companies assist their employees in purchasing homes by providing assistance with the down payment, closing costs, or monthly payments.
Encroachment:
The intrusion onto another's property without right or permission.
Encumbrance:
Any claim on a property, such as a lien, mortgage or easement.
Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA):
A federal law that requires lenders to make credit equally available without regard to the applicant's race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, or marital status; the fact that all or part of the applicant's income is derived from a public assistance program; or the fact that the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act.
Equity:
The value in your home above the total amount of the liens against your home. If you owe $100,000 on your house but it is worth $130,000, you have $30,000 of equity.
Escrow:
An item of value, money, or documents deposited with a third party to be delivered upon the fulfillment of a condition. For example, the deposit by a borrower with the lender of funds to pay taxes and insurance premiums when they become due, or the deposit of funds or documents with an attorney or escrow agent to be disbursed upon the closing of a sale of real estate.
Escrow Account:
An account that a mortgage servicer establishes on behalf of a borrower to pay taxes, insurance premiums, or other charges when they are due. Sometimes referred to as an "impound" or "reserve" account.
Escrow Analysis:
The accounting that a mortgage servicer performs to determine the appropriate balances for the escrow account, compute the borrower's monthly escrow payments, and determine whether any shortages, surpluses or deficiencies exist in the account.
Eviction:
The legal act of removing someone from real property.
Exclusive Listing:
A written contract that gives a licensed real estate agent the exclusive right to sell a property for a specified time.
Executor:
A person named in a will and approved by a probate court to administer the deposition of an estate in accordance with the instructions of the will.
Prepared by and used with the permission of the FTC.
