Real Estate Terms Glossary
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Impact fees
Fees collected from developers of new homes to pay for schools, parks and
other facilities.
Implied warranty of habitability
Court cases which determined that all new homes are assumed to be fit for
human habitation and meet all building codes.
Impounds
A portion of the monthly mortgage payment that is placed in an account and
used to pay for hazard insurance, property taxes and private mortgage insurance.
In-file credit report
Computer-generated reports drawn from credit repositories that are generally
regarded as objective histories.
Income property
Property that is not occupied by the owner but is used to generate income.
Incurable defect
A defect in a property that cannot be fixed, such as an adjacent hazardous
waste site, or that would cost too much to repair relative to the value of
the property.
Index
Financial tables used by lenders to calculate interest rates on adjustable
mortgages and on Treasury bills.
Individual Retirement Account
Tax-deferred savings accounts that allow people to accrue retirement funds.
Infill development
Any significant new construction in an established area.
Infill housing
Home construction in established areas.
Inflation
This event occurs when there is more money available than there are goods
and services to be purchased. Mortgage rates, which are determined by the
marketplace and the actions of the Federal Reserve Board and Wall Street,
are sensitive to inflation fears.
Infrastructure
The roads, schools, parks, utilities, bridges and communications systems
in a community.
Initial interest rate
The original interest rate on an adjustable mortgage.
Inspection report
An examination of a home's exterior, foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical
system, heating, air conditioning, fireplace, kitchen, bathroom, roofing
and interior.
Installment contract
A purchase agreement in which the buyer does not receive title to the property
until all installments are paid.
Insulation
Materials including cellulose, glass fiber, rock wool, polystyrene, urethane
foam and vermiculite that slow heat loss.
Insurable title
Title to property that a company agrees to insure against defects and disputes.
Insurance
Owners and buyers can purchase various types of insurance: hazard, private
mortgage and earthquake. The policies guarantee compensation for specific
losses.
Insurance binder
A temporary insurance arrangement usually put in force until a permanent
policy can be obtained.
Interest
The fee borrowers pay to obtain a loan. It is calculated based on a percentage
of the total loan.
Interest accrual rate
The rate at which interest accrues on a mortgage.
Interest rate
The sum, expressed as a percentage, charged for a loan. Interest payments
on most home loans are tax- deductible.
Interest rate buy-down plans
For cash-short buyers, some sellers are willing to advance funds from the
sale of the home to buy down the interest rate and reduce the buyer's monthly
obligation.
Interest rate caps
A limit on the amount that can be charged to the monthly payment of an
adjustable-rate mortgage during an adjustment period.
Interest rate ceiling
The highest interest a lender can charge for an adjustable-rate mortgage.
Interest-only loan
The pays only the interest that accrues on the loan balance each month. Because
each payment goes toward interest, the outstanding balance of the loan does
not decline with each payment.
Investment property
Real estate that generates income, such as an apartment building or a rental
house.