I.D.E.A.L.
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.
Popular Real Estate Terms
Combination of two or more real estate brokerages into one, with only one company retaining its identity. Typically, the larger of the two companies is the company whose identity is ...
To create an encumbrance. ...
Written obligation of a borrower that is backed by collateral in the event of default. The lender must assure himself that the market value of the security equals or exceeds the amount of ...
Examining and testing the ground to determine the conditions for building something, such as an office building. ...
A lease contract extending ten years or more. ...
(1) Surrendering voluntarily or involuntarily ownership of property or an interest therein. (2) Court order to give up possession or the right to property such as in the case of an ...
An administrator appointed by the government or the courts to administer the laws relating to a government agency or court. A commissioner is a part of a government or court commission. ...
An amount of money provided for in a contract as compensation if the contract is not fulfilled. An example is an offer to buy real property that includes a provision that once the seller ...
A binding judicial determination of the rights and standing of litigants. A declaratory judgment does not result in any relief for the action brought before the court. It merely ...

Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.