The final payment of a note or obligation, which is substantially larger than the previous installment payments, and which repays the debt in full; the remaining balance which is due at the maturity of a note or obligation

1. the steep or sloping border of any stream 2. an elevation under the sea forming an area of relatively shallow water

A deed which recites a consideration and conveys all of the grantor's interest in the property to the grantee

On a per tree basis, basal area is the surface area in square feet of the cross section of the tree bole at breast height. On a per acre basis, it expresses the total basal area for all trees within that acre. It is an efficient and logical measurement of stand density and is the basis for many silvicultural prescriptions and forest management activities.

The true east-west line extending from an initial point in both directions.

An imaginary set of lines used by surveyors to locate and describe land under the Rectangular Survey Method of property description used in most mainland states

A commercial or residential building with an unfinished interior and lacking heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), and usually without lighting, plumbing, ceilings, or walls. A base shell is ready for warm shell or vanilla shell improvements (VSI), which are usually completed once the lease agreement has been signed.
Synonymous with grey shell or cold shell.

1. A low place in the surface of the land, usually with a body of water occupying the lowest part 2. the entire area drained by a river system

See "Drainage basin".

The financial interest which IRS attributes to the owner of an asset for purposes of determining annual depreciation and gain or loss on sale of the asset

1. Any inlet of the ocean or part of the ocean bordering on land and partly surrounded by land 2. any small body of water set off from the main body of an ocean, lake, or gulf

A slow sluggish stream usually used to describe inlets from the Gulf of Mexico or from the Mississippi River

The pebbly or sandy shore of the sea or lake washed by waves

A mark affixed to a permanent reference or monument, such as an iron post or a brass marker (usually embedded in a cement sidewalk), used to establish elevations and altitudes over a surveyed area

A person who receives the benefits from the gifts or acts of another, such as one who is designated to receive the proceeds from a will, insurance policy or trust

A set of land management guidelines that emphasize soil conservation and water quality. BMP's are often formulated and adopted at the state level.

A contract in which each party promises to perform an act in exchange for the other party's promise to perform

A written agreement by which one person sells, assigns or transfers his right to, or interest in, personal property to another

Sometimes known as an offer to purchase or an earnest money receipt. A binder is the acknowledgment of a deposit along with a brief written agreement to enter into a contract for the sale of real estate.

Term used for a younger (generally less than 120 years old) ponderosa pine that displays black colored bark

A mortgage which is secured by several structures or a number of lots. A blanket mortgage is often used to finance proposed subdivisions or development projects, especially cooperatives.

Any region of a city or town that has fallen into disrepair or otherwise has become undesirable.

A one-, two-, or three-digit number used to describe a block (or piece) of land within a . For example, Block 6 in Township 5 North, Range 12 West.

Definition: One who engages in the illegal practice of blockbusting, or attempting to profit by telling homeowners that "undesirable" people - those of a different race, religion, etc. - moving into a neighborhood will lower home values or create other negative conditions. A blockbuster hopes to intimidate homeowners into selling their homes to the blockbuster at reduced prices, so that he or she may then resell those homes at profit.

Example: A real estate investor spreads rumors in a predominantly Asian neighborhood that a Latino family is considering purchasing a home there, which will bring undesirable elements and lower nearby property values. The investor hopes that people in this area will sell their homes to him at a price that is less than market value because they are alarmed the arrival of the newcomers will result in even lower home values or other undesirable neighborhood conditions. Under the Federal Fair Housing Act, it is illegal even to suggest that changes will occur in a neighborhood because persons of a protected class have moved there or will move there.


Terms and Definitions: Real Estate, Legal, Management

Definition: The act of creating or causing panic among homeowners with the intent to make them sell their homes by stating or implying that persons of a protected class moving into the neighborhood will have negative results such as lowered home values or increased crime. Blockbusters attempt to profit from this tactic by purchasing the homes of panicked people at less than market value, then reselling those homes at a greatly increased price. Blockbusting is illegal according to the Federal Fair Housing Act (1968, 1974, 1988), which lists as protected classes race, skin color, national origin, religion, handicap status, familial status, and gender.
Same as Panic selling.

Example: A real estate investor spreads rumors in a predominantly Asian neighborhood that a Latino family is considering purchasing a home there, which will bring undesirable elements and lower nearby property values. The investor hopes that people in this area will sell their homes to him at a price that is less than market value because they are alarmed the arrival of the newcomers will result in even lower home values or other undesirable neighborhood conditions. Under the Federal Fair Housing Act, it is illegal even to suggest that changes will occur in a neighborhood because persons of a protected class have moved there or will move there.


Terms and Definitions: Real Estate, Legal, Management