Definition of "Allotment"

In order to define allotment, we have to take into consideration what it refers to. While generally, it refers to a certain amount of something that is allocated to a particular person, the most common use of the term can be seen in the corporate world regarding shares distributed across different entities. The term also has an application in the real estate world, but the idea is relatively similar. In both instances, a party makes an initial public offering (IPO), and interested parties express their desire to have amounts of something allocated to them.

If there’s a higher demand, the amount of something allocated might be smaller than the amount desired. In the opposite case, with lower demand, the amount of something allocated might be larger or cheaper than the original amount desired. Let’s take a closer look at what happens when this concept is applied in the real estate industry.

What is Allotment in Real Estate?

The residential allotment meaning describes a piece of land that is one part of a developmental land for a proposed development (i.e., residential) that will only be used for a single-family home, prohibiting further subdivision of the piece of land. This is a scenario where a real estate developer has 30 lots available within their residential development, and each lot is an allotment for a particular individual.

The allotment process is an equitable distribution of lots, and the individual who gets the lot allotted to them proceeds to make the purchase. The downside of this process can be seen when the supply is lower than the demand. If there are 30 lots available for allotment and 50 families interested in them, the distribution will leave 20 families without an allotted lot. In that scenario, the 20 families will be unhappy, disgruntled potential buyers that would have to look elsewhere for a developed lot.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

(1) Temporary and symbolic payment showing good faith and obligating two or more individuals until a final transaction takes place. The binder is typically returned if the final agreement ...

Insurance or maintenance policy taken out by a buyer of real or personal property. ...

Large heavy piece of wood or other material generally running horizontally through a building providing support for other parts of the structure. The stringer usually runs in the direction ...

Interest rate on a mortgage that moves up or down based on some variable such as an index of lender's cost of funds, inflation rate, or prime rate. ...

Claim by a real estate broker that his or her actions were the principal cause of the completion of a property sale between two parties. A successful procuring cause claim would entitle a ...

provision in a written agreement allowing the prospective purchaser the right to cancel the contract if occupancy requirements are not satisfied as of a specific date. ...

Period of time interest rates are guaranteed by lock-in-clause. The guarantee period of time is longer during stable economic periods with low rates of inflation. ...

Amount paid back or credit given because of an overcollection or the return of property sold. Also called refund. Unearned interest refunded to a borrower if the loan is paid off before ...

Unimproved property. It has no utilities, sewers, streets, or structures and usually must be cleared. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions