Real Estate Glossary – R

Radon – A radioactive gas found in some homes that in sufficient concentrations can cause health problems.

Rate Cap – The maximum chargable interest rate allowable on the monthly payment of an adjustable rate mortgage during an adjustment period.

Rate-Improvement Mortgage – A fixed-rate mortgage that includes a provision that gives the borrower a one-time option to reduce the interest rate (without refinancing) during the early years of the mortgage term.

Rate Lock – A commitment issued by a lender to a borrower or other mortgage originator guaranteeing a specified interest rate for a specified period of time. See lock-in.

Real Estate Agent – A person licensed to negotiate and transact the sale of real estate on behalf of the property owner.

Real Estate Owned (REO) – A property acquired by a lender through a foreclosure and held in its inventory.

Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)
A consumer protection law that requires lenders to give borrowers advance notice of closing costs.

Real Property – Land and appurtenances, including anything of a permanent nature such as structures, trees, minerals, and the interest, benefits, and inherent rights thereof.

Realtor® – A real estate broker or an associate who holds active membership in a local real estate board that is affiliated with the National Association of Realtors®.

Recission – The cancellation or annulment of a transaction or contract by the operation of a law or by mutual consent. Borrowers usually have the option to cancel a refinance transaction within three business days after it has closed.

Recission Period – The federally mandated period of three business days (that begins the day after the loan closes) during which the borrower may cancel the new loan, waiting period only applies to loans which are to be secured by a mortgage on a personal residence for which the borrower is in title at the time of loan origination, right to cancel does not apply to loans used for the purchase of property.

Recorder – The public official who keeps records of transactions that affect real property in the area. Sometimes known as a “Registrar of Deeds” or “County Clerk.”

Recording – The noting in the registrar’s office of the details of a properly executed legal document, such as a deed, a mortgage note, a satisfaction of mortgage, or an extension of mortgage, thereby making it a part of the public record.

Recourse – The ability of a lender to be able to make claims against the borrower personally in addition to the collateral. Opp. non-recourse.

Redemption Period – The period during which the previous owner can reclaim a foreclosed property.

Refinance – The process of a borrower paying off one loan with the money from another.

Refinance Transaction – The process of paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan using the same property as security.

Regression – The principle that the value of a higher-quality property is negatively affected by closely located lesser-quality property.

Regulation Z – The federal regulation that requires creditors to provide to the borrower full disclosure of the terms of a loan.

Rehabilitation Mortgage – A mortgage created to cover the costs of repairing, improving, and sometimes acquiring an existing property.

Remaining Balance – The amount of principal that has not yet been repaid. See principal balance.

Remaining Term – The original amortization term minus the number of payments that have been applied.

Rent Loss Insurance – Insurance that protects a landlord against loss of rent or rental value due to fire or other casualty that renders the leased premises unavailable for use and as a result of which the tenant is excused from paying rent.

Rent With Option to Buy – See lease-purchase mortgage loan.

Repayment Plan – An arrangement made to repay delinquent installments or advances. Lenders’ formal repayment plans are called “relief provisions.”

Replacement Reserve Fund – A fund set aside for replacement of common property in a condominium, PUD, or cooperative project — particularly that which has a short life expectancy, such as carpeting, furniture, etc.

Residential Service Contract – A home warranty or insurance contract that is generally for one year and typically covers plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems of the home.

Residual – Value or the income left over after deducting an amount necessary to meet other fixed obligations.

Reverse Mortgage – A type of mortgage originally designed for elderly homeowners with substantial equity to generate monthly cashflow from their property by which a lender pays a periodic payment to the borrower; the loan balances increase with interest and payments causing negative amortization.

Revolving Liability – A credit arrangement, such as a credit card, that allows a customer to borrow against a preapproved line of credit when purchasing goods and services. The borrower is billed for the amount that is actually borrowed plus any interest due.

Right of First Refusal – A provision in an agreement that requires the owner of a property to give another party the first opportunity to purchase or lease the property before he or she offers it for sale or lease to others.

Right of Ingress or Egress – The right to enter or leave designated premises.

Right of Survivorship – In joint tenancy, the right of survivors to acquire the interest of a deceased joint tenant.

Rural Housing Service (RHS)
An agency within the Department of Agriculture, which operates principally under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1921 and Title V of the Housing Act of 1949. This agency provides financing to farmers and other qualified borrowers buying property in rural areas who are unable to obtain loans elsewhere. Funds are borrowed from the U.S. Treasury.