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Real Estate Glossary

Search plain-language definitions used in South Florida buying, selling, renting, mortgage, condominium, title, and investment conversations.

Last reviewed August 1, 2026

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Appraisal
An opinion of value prepared by a qualified appraiser for a stated purpose and effective date.
Association assessment
A charge approved by an association under its governing documents and applicable law, separate from or in addition to regular assessments.
Cap rate
Annual net operating income divided by property value or acquisition cost, based on clearly stated assumptions.
Closing costs
Transaction expenses paid at or before closing, which vary by contract, financing, property, and service provider.
Comparable sale
A closed property transaction considered relevant to another property because of location, type, timing, and physical characteristics.
Condominium declaration
A recorded document that creates a condominium and describes units, common elements, rights, and obligations.
Contingency
A contract condition tied to a specified event, action, document, or deadline.
Escrow deposit
Funds held by an escrow agent under the contract or other written instructions.
Estoppel
A written statement that may confirm specified balances, obligations, or facts as of a date.
Fixed-rate mortgage
A mortgage with an interest rate that remains fixed under the loan terms.
Folio or parcel number
A local identifier used by a property appraiser or taxing authority for a parcel or account.
Homeowners association (HOA)
An organization that administers recorded covenants and common obligations for a community.
Inspection period
A negotiated contract period for inspections and related decisions under the agreement.
Lease renewal
An extension or replacement of a lease under agreed terms; it is not automatic unless the lease or law provides otherwise.
Loan-to-value (LTV)
The loan amount divided by the applicable property value used by the lender.
Net operating income (NOI)
Property income minus modeled operating expenses, generally before debt service, depreciation, and income taxes.
Preapproval
A lender’s conditional evaluation based on submitted information; it is not a final loan commitment.
Proof of funds
Documentation indicating funds available for a proposed transaction, subject to verification and privacy safeguards.
Security deposit
Funds held under a lease and applicable law for specified obligations.
Title insurance
Insurance addressing covered title risks under the policy’s terms, exclusions, and exceptions.

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