Definition of "I.D.E.A.L."

Colleen   MacCallum real estate agent

Written by

Colleen MacCallumelite badge icon

EXIT Right Realty

An acronym stating the real estate is the I.D.E.A.L. investment. Each if the five letters in IDEAL stands for an advantage to real estate as an investment. "I" stands for interest deduction. The mortgage interest paid on the first and second residential homes are tax deductible. On the average, real estate is a good hedge against inflation because property value and the income from properties rise to keep pace with inflation. "D" stands for depreciation. The building on your land depreciates in book value each year and you can deduct this depreciation from your investment property and not residential. "E" is for equity buildup. This buildup of a capital asset is like money in the bank. As you amortize a mortgage, the value of your equity investment will steadily rise. In the case of income-producing property, this amortization could mean that your tenants help you build your estate. "A" is for appreciation. Your property value goes up every year, hopefully. Be careful because this is not guaranteed. "L" is for leverage. When you buy a house you make a down payment, say, 10% and you borrow the balance, say, 90%. You get the benefit of 100% even though you put up only 10% of your own money. You can maximize return with other people's money (OPM). The use of a mortgage and OPM means that you can use small amounts of cash to gain control of large investments and earn large returns on the cash invested.

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

Court order to seize and sell property because of the nonpayment of taxes, or foreclosure of property. ...

The definition of a closed-end lease is what happens when an individual rents or leases an asset at a monthly rate with no obligations for the lessee to purchase the asset that he rents at ...

The act or removing or dispossessing or expulsion of an individual from a premise by force or law. ...

A reduction in structural value from all reasons except physical failure. For example, a commercial building having an outdated elevator or electrical wiring system is experiencing ...

Generally, a turnaround means a performance improvement. The term applies to various economic fields and real estate too.  What does turnaround mean? After a prolonged recession, a ...

Charge assessed on the remaining principal, often contained in mortgages, when an obligation is paid before its due. ...

Enhancement of a property's value even though the improvement is not on it. Lighting in the street would be an example. ...

A sash window having two vertically moving sashes respectively offset by sash weights. Each sash closes a different part of the window. ...

An agreement by which a mortgage is made subject to a junior mortgage. For example, a loan on a vacant lot is made subject to a subsequent construction loan. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions