Real Estate Glossary

• Early Occupancy - A condition in which buyers can occupy the property before the sale is completed.

• Earnest Money - Money put down by a potential buyer to show that he or she is serious about purchasing the home; it becomes part of the down payment if the offer is accepted, is returned if the offer is rejected, or is forfeited if the buyer pulls out of the deal.

• Easement Rights - A right-of-way granted to a person or company authorizing access to or over the owner's land. Electric companies often have easement rights across your property.

• EEM - An FHA program that helps homebuyers save money on utility bills by enabling them to finance the cost of adding energy efficiency features to a new or existing home as part of the home purchase

• Effective Age - The age of a structure estimated by its condition rather than its actual age. This term is often used by appraisers.

• Elevations - The exterior view of a home design that shows the position of the house relative to the grade of the land.

• Equity - An owner's financial interest in a property; calculated by subtracting the amount still owed on the mortgage loon(s)from the fair market value of the property. When the mortgage is fully paid off the buyer has 100 percent equity in the house.

• Escrow Account - A separate account into which the lender puts a portion of each monthly mortgage payment; an escrow account provides the funds needed for such expenses as property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance, etc.

• Exclusive Listing - A contract that gives an agent the exclusive right to market a property for a specific period of time.

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