A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

habendum clause

A clause that defines the quantity of the estate granted in the deed; “to have and to hold”.

half-bath

A bathroom that contains a toilet and a sink only. Also known as a powder room.

handymans special

A house that is in need of repairs; not in good repair.

hardboard

A simulated wood that is made from wood fibers.

hardwood

Wood that comes from trees such as oak, walnut and maple.

hazard insurance

Insurance that covers physical risks such as fire and wind damage. Also known as homeowners or fire insurance.

head jamb

The horizontal piece at the top of a door or window frame.

header

The crossbeam that is set above a window or door.

heat anticipator

A component within a mechanical thermostat that regulates the furnace or boiler by shutting them off just before the set temperature is reached.

heat pump

An electric cooling and heating system.

hectare

The equivalent of 2.471 acres.

hiatus

A small piece of property that is between two parcels of land but does not belong to either property owner.

high density

A concentration of housing units in an area or on a property.

high-rise

Any building that is six stores or taller.

hip roof

A roof that is pitched and has sloping sides.

historic preservation

1. the rehabilitation of historic homes or buildings.

2. a movement that began in the 1960’s in the United States to preserve and protect landmarks and urban neighborhoods.

historic structure

A home or building that is certified as historic by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

hollow-core door

A door that is hollow in the middle.

home equity conversion mortgage

Loans that are made to older homeowners who want to convert equity into cash. Also known as reverse mortgages.

home equity line of credit

An open-ended line of credit that is based on a homeowners accumulated equity.

home equity loan

A loan where owners borrow against the equity in their home.

home inspection

A physical examination of a home by an inspector prior to the purchase; examines construction, condition and internal systems.

home inspector

A professional who evaluates the construction, condition and internal systems of a building.

home price

The agreed upon price by a buyer and seller for a home.

home rule

A local government’s power to adopt its own land-use regulations.

home warranty

An insurance that covers repairs to certain parts of a building and some of the fixtures.

homeowners insurance

An insurance that includes hazard coverage for damages that may affect the value of a home, personal liability and theft.

homeowners association (HOA)

A group that governs a subdivision, condominium or planned community. Owners pay monthly fees to the association to pay for common area maintenance, legal and safety issues, the enforcement of covenants, conditions and restrictions set by the developer.

homeowners association dues

Monthly payment that owners pay to a homeowners association for common area maintenance, legal and safety issues, the enforcement of covenants, conditions and restrictions set by the developer.

homeowners warranty

An insurance policy that covers specific home repairs for a specified period of time.

homestead

A parcel of land used by the owner as a primary residence.

homesteading

A document that protects specified home equity from lawsuits.

homogenous

A term used to describe a neighborhood where the property types are all similar.

hopper window

A window with a single sash that tilts inward.

hose bibb

A threaded faucet connection.

hot wire

An ungrounded conductor that carries electric current from the source.

house wrap

A barrier wrap for a house that is used to save energy.

housing discrimination

The illegal practice of denying an individual or group the right to buy or rent a home based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or family status.

housing expense ratio

A percentage of the gross monthly income that is devoted to housing costs.

HUD

The abbreviation for The Department of Housing and Urban Development. A federal agency that oversees the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and a variety of housing and community development programs.

HUD HOME

A foreclosed property which is listed for selling by the HUD.

HUD-1 Uniform Settlement Statement

A statement that outlines all the closing costs on a real estate transaction or refinancing.

hugger

A type of ceiling fan that is used in buildings with low ceilings as it used very little vertical space.

humidistat

Thermostat that measures the amount of water vapor in the air and regulates a humidifier or dehumidifier.

HVAC

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning.