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ABSORPTION
RATE
The ratio of the number of properties in an area that
have been sold against the number available. Used to
show the volatility of a market.
ABSTRACTION
METHOD 
This method of estimating the value of property uses
similar properties available in the same market to
extract the value of a parcel of land.
ACCELERATION
CLAUSE 
A provision in a mortgage that gives the lender the
right to demand immediate payment of the outstanding
loan balance under certain circumstances. Usually when
the borrower defaults on the loan.
ACCESSORY
BUILDING 
A building separate from the main structure on a
property. Often used for a specific purpose, such as a
workshop, storage shed or garage.
ACCRETION
The natural growth of a piece of land resulting from
forces of nature
ACRE 
43,560 square feet. A measurement of area.
ACTUAL
AGE 
The amount of time that has passed since a building or
other structure was built. See also: EFFECTIVE AGE
ADJUSTMENT
DATE 
The date the interest rate changes on an adjustable
rate mortgage.
AD
VAL OREM TAX 
Taxes assessed based on the value of the land and
improvements
ADDENDUM 
A supplement to any document that contains additional
information pertinent to the subject. Appraisers use
an addendum to further explain items for which there
was inadequate space on the standard appraisal form.
ADJUSTABLE-RATE
MORTGAGE (ARM) 
A type of mortgage where the interest rate varies
based on a particular index, normally the prime
lending rate.
ADJUSTED
BASIS 
The value of an asset (property or otherwise) that
includes the original price plus the value of any
improvement, and less any applicable depreciation.
ADJUSTED
SALES PRICE 
An opinion of a property's sales price, after
adjustments have been made to account for differences
between it and another comparable property.
AESTHETIC
VALUE 
The additional value a property enjoys based on
subjective criteria such as look or appeal.
AFFIRMATION 
A declaration that a certain set of facts are
truthful.
AFFORDABILITY
ANALYSIS 
A calculation used to determine an individual's
likelihood of being able to meet the obligations of a
mortgage for a particular property. Takes into account
the down payment, closing costs and on-going mortgage
payments.
AGENT 
A person who has been appointed to act on behalf of
another for a particular transaction.
AMENITY 
Any feature of a property that increases its value or
desirability. These might include natural amenities
such as location or proximity to mountains, or
man-made amenities like swimming pools, parks or other
recreation.
AMERICAN
SOCIETY OF APPRAISERS 
An organization of appraisal professionals and others
interested in the appraisal profession.
AMORTIZATION 
The repayment of a loan through regular periodic
payment.
AMORTIZATION
SCHEDULE 
The breakdown of individual payments throughout the
life of an amortized loan, showing both principal
contribution and debt service (interest) fees.
AMORTIZATION
TERM 
The length of time over which an amortized loan is
repaid. Mortgages are commonly amortized over 15 or 30
years.
AMPERAGE 
A measure of electric current describing the
magnitude.
ANNUAL
PERCENTAGE RATE (APR) 
The rate of annual interest charged on a loan.
ANNUITY 
A sum of money paid at regular intervals, often
annually.
APPLICATION 
A form used to apply for a mortgage loan that details
a potential borrower's income, debt, savings and other
information used to determine credit worthiness.
APPRAISAL 
A ''defensible'' and carefully documented opinion of
value. Most commonly derived using recent sales of
comparable properties by a licensed, professional
appraiser.
APPRAISAL
FOUNDATION 
A not-for-profit educational organization established
by the appraisal profession in the United States in
1987. It is dedicated to the advancement of
professional valuation and responsible for
establishing, improving, and promoting the Uniform
Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
APPRAISAL
INSTITUTE 
A world-wide organization dedicated to real estate
appraisal education, publication and advocacy.
APPRAISAL
PRINCIPLES 
The basic building blocks of the property valuation
process, including property inspection, market
analysis and basic economics.
APPRAISAL
REPORT 
The end result of the appraisal process usually
consists of one major standardized form such as, the
Uniform Residential Appraisal Report form 1004, as
well as all supporting documentation and additional
detail information. The purpose of the report is to
convey the opinion of value of the subject property
and support that opinion with corroborating
information.
APPRAISAL
STANDARDS BOARD (ASB) 
An independent board of the APPRAISAL FOUNDATION,
which writes, amends, and interprets USPAP. The ASB is
composed of up to seven appraisers appointed by the
Foundation's Board of Trustees. The ASB holds public
meetings throughout the year to interpret and amend
USPAP.
APPRAISED
VALUE 
An opinion of the fair market value of a property as
developed by a licensed, certified appraiser following
accepted appraisal principals.
APPRAISER 
An educated, certified professional with extensive
knowledge of real estate markets, values and
practices. The appraiser is often the only independent
voice in any real estate transaction with no vested
interest in the ultimate value or sales price of the
property.
APPRECIATION 
The natural rise in property value due to market
forces.
ARMS
LENGTH TRANSACTION 
Any transaction in which the two parties are
unconnected and have no overt common interests. Such a
transaction most often reflects the true market value
of a property.
ASSESSED
VALUE 
The value of a property according to jurisdictional
tax assessment.
ASSESSMENT 
The function of assigning a value to a property for
the purpose of levying taxes.
ASSESSMENT
RATIO 
The comparative relationship of a property's assessed
value to its market value.
ASSESSOR 
The jurisdictional official who performs the
assessment and assigns the value of a property.
ASSET 
Any item of value which a person owns.
ASSIGNMENT 
Transfer of ownership of a mortgage usually when the
loan is sold to another company.
ASSUMABLE
MORTGAGE 
A mortgage that can be taken over by the buyer when a
home is sold.
ASSUMPTION 
When a buyer takes over, or "assumes" the
sellers mortgage.
ATTACHED
HOUSING 
Any number of houses or other dwellings which are
physically attached to one another, but are occupied
by a number of different people. The individual houses
may or may not be owned by separate people as well.
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