Skip to Content

Know of a Land Term that we don't have catalogued?
Click here to submit it.
Home > Appraisal > Page 3

Appraisal (Subscribe) Real estate and timber appraisal terms and definitions.

Land Terms

|< < > >|

Income

The revenue (monetary or non-monetary receipts) earned by a company, individual, corporation, etc. in return for labor, services, goods, investments, property, or operations.

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Incorporeal property

Real or personal property that exists in concept rather than having physical form; usually incorporeal property is represented by physical muniments that document ownership.
Examples of incorporeal property include rights, relationships (e.g., community property), patents, easements, estates, royalties, and appurtenances.
Same as Intangible property.

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Incorporeal rights

Intangible, abstract, or non-possessory rights in real property such as easements, licenses, profits, estates, community property, and the like.
Same as Incorporeal property or Intangible property.

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Intangible property

Real or personal property that exists in concept rather than having physical form; usually intangible property is represented by physical muniments that document ownership.
Examples of incorporeal property include rights, relationships (e.g., community property), patents, easements, estates, royalties, and appurtenances.
Same as Incorporeal property.

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Leasehold (Leasehold estate)

Definition:
Lease or rental interests in real property. Holders of leasehold interests (tenants or lessees) have exclusive permission to possess, use, and occupy real property owned by the landlord (lessor) for a specified period of time, in accordance with local laws and the terms of the lease agreement, and in return for some sort of consideration. Leasehold estates do not constitute legal ownership of real property; rather, they are the personal property of the tenant. The four primary types of leasehold estates are estate (tenancy) for years, estate from period to period (periodic tenancy), estate (tenancy) at will, and estate (tenancy) at sufferance.

Same as Less-than-freehold estate.


Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Real Estate, Title and Title Insurance, Appraisal, Auction, Legal (Law), Management

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Less-than-freehold (Less-than-freehold estate)

Definition:
Lease or rental interests in real property. Holders of leasehold interests (tenants or lessees) have exclusive permission to possess, use, and occupy real property owned by the landlord (lessor) for a specified period of time, in accordance with local laws and the terms of the lease agreement, and in return for some sort of consideration. Leasehold estates do not constitute legal ownership of real property; rather, they are the personal property of the tenant. The four primary types of leasehold estates are estate (tenancy) for years, estate from period to period (periodic tenancy), estate (tenancy) at will, and estate (tenancy) at sufferance.
Same as Leasehold estate.


Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Real Estate, Title and Title Insurance, Appraisal, Auction, Legal (Law), Management

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Lit shell

Definition:
One form of a shell lease, a lit shell is a commercial or residential building with a minimally finished interior, a heating and cooling (HVAC) system, drop ceilings, plumbing and restrooms, and interior lighting. Lit shell improvements, which are necessary to upgrade the building from a base shell or cold shell state, may also include interior walls and a concrete floor. A lit shell is considered ready to lease and ready for tenant improvements (TI). In many cases, the landlord will offer financial incentives in the form of a tenant improvement allowance (TIA), which pays for or at least partially defrays the cost of any improvements necessary for the tenant to occupy the building itself. Tenant improvement allowances do not usually include furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE) necessary for the tenant to conduct business. Usually vanilla shell improvements (VSI), or those improvements necessary to upgrade the building from a cold shell or base shell state, are not completed until the lease agreement between the tenant and landlord has been negotiated and executed.
Same as Vanilla shell, Warm lit shell, Warm shell, Warm vanilla shell, or Tropical shell.


Discussion: Like many real estate terms and phrases, those associated with shell leases (e.g., vanilla shell, base shell, cold shell, warm shell, etc.) differ by location and situation, sometimes even within the same region or municipal area. As they say, the devil is in the details. The lease or sales contract should clearly and exactly specify the degree to which construction of any sort of "shell" building has been or will be completed prior to tenant occupancy.

Shell leasing and its various forms (warm, cold, base) are used primarily in commercial real estate, but are gaining popularity in upscale condominiums and townhouses and other high-end residential real estate transactions. The idea is to attract either tenants or buyers, or both, by offering customizable living units. Financial incentives in the form of tenant (or buyer) improvement allowances afford new residents the opportunity to select nearly all aspects of interior decor, including relatively large projects such as plumbing and fixtures, wiring, and interior walls.


Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Real Estate, Construction and Building, Appraisal, Auction, Finance and Investment, Management

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Loan-to-value ratio (LTV)

The ratio of the amount finances (loan amount) to the appraised value of the property or the sales price, whichever is lower. Commonly abbreviated as LTV.

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Maintenance

The care and work put into a building to keep it in operation and productive use; the general repair and upkeep of a building. If maintenance is deferred, the building will suffer a loss in value.

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Marginal land

Land which is of little value because of some deficiency, such as poor access, lack of adequate rainfall, or steep terrain.

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Market value

The highest monetary price a property would bring, if offered for sale in an arm's-length transaction for a reasonable period of time in a competitive market. Also known as fair market value.

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Merchantable

Something that is commercially valuable and desirable, and that can usually generate a profit or return on an investment (yield).

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Merchantable species

Species of trees that are commercially valuable as timber. Examples include Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), and eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides).

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Merchantable timber

Live trees of merchantable species and sufficient size that they can be profitably harvested and sold. Merchantable timber is then milled and made into lumber and other wood products.

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Net income

1. The income or revenue (monetary or non-monetary) earned by an individual or business after the deduction of expenses such as taxes, insurance, losses, etc. Contrast with gross income.
2. The revenue a business or property will earn in a given year's operation, according to the following simplified formula: Net income = Gross income - Expenses

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Net lease (N lease)

A lease agreement, usually long-term commercial or industrial, in which the tenant (lessee) agrees to pay all or a portion of the property expenses in addition to periodic rent. It is called a net lease because the rent paid is "net" to the lessor.
Abbreviated as "N lease".

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Net operating income (NOI)

The amount of money remaining after deducting operating expenses from gross income.
Used to calculate the cap rate of an income property.

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Net, net lease (Net-net lease)

A lease agreement, usually long-term commercial or industrial, in which the tenant (lessee) agrees to pay property taxes and insurance in addition to periodic rent, and the landlord (lessor) agrees to pay for property maintenance.
Also known as a double net lease.
Abbreviated as "NN lease".

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Net, net, net lease (Net-net-net lease)

A lease agreement, usually long-term commercial or industrial, in which the tenant (lessee) agrees to pay all operating and property expenses in addition to periodic rent, including taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and assessments.
Also known as a triple net lease.
Abbreviated as "NNN lease".

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Personal property (Personalty)

All property other than real property. Personal property is distinct from real property in that it is moveable (not attached or affixed). Exceptions are made for trade fixtures or furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE), which can be attached, but are still considered personal property. Also known as personalty or chattels, personal property can be tangible (things or objects owned) or intangible (rights and relationships that are included in ownership). Tangible chattels include all objects that one owns, such as vehicles, clothing, houseplants, small appliances, etc. Examples of intangible chattels include patents, copyrights, royalties, and community property relationships. Transfer of personal property is done through a bill of sale, a will, intestate succession, or by court order (judgment).

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Plain vanilla shell (Plain vanilla box) new

Definition:
One form of a shell lease, a plain vanilla shell is a commercial or residential building with a minimally finished interior, usually with ceilings, lighting, plumbing, heating and cooling (HVAC), interior walls (painted or unpainted), electrical outlets, elevators, rest rooms, and a concrete floor. A plain vanilla shell is considered ready to lease and ready for tenant improvements (TI's). In many cases, the landlord (the lessor) will offer financial incentives in the form of a tenant improvement allowance (TIA), which pays for or at least partially defrays the cost of any improvements necessary for the tenant (the lessee) to occupy the building itself. Tenant improvement allowances do not usually include furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE) or trade fixtures necessary for the tenant to conduct business. Generally, those improvements necessary to upgrade the building from a cold shell or base shell state, commonly known as vanilla shell improvements (VSI), are not completed until the lease agreement between the tenant and landlord has been negotiated and executed. This ensures that the landlord does not pay for improvements that are unnecessary or that the tenant does not want.
Also known as Plain vanilla box.
More or less the same as Warm shell, Warm lit shell, Lit shell, Warm vanilla shell, Tropical shell, White box, White shell, Plain white box, Vanilla box, or Vanilla shell.


Discussion: Like many real estate terms and phrases, practical use and meanings of those terms associated with shell leases (e.g., vanilla shell, base shell, cold shell, warm shell, etc.) differ by location and situation, sometimes even within the same region or municipal area. As they say, the devil is in the details. The lease or sales contract should clearly and exactly specify the degree to which construction of any sort of "shell" or "box" building has been or will be completed prior to tenant occupancy. As either a tenant or landlord, you should not assume that the other party's definitions of shell lease terminology are the same as yours. Get it in writing, and make sure you understand and agree with all the terms and conditions of the shell lease agreement before you sign. If necessary, have a real estate attorney review the contract prior to its execution.

Shell leasing and its various forms (warm, cold, base, etc.) are used primarily in commercial real estate, but are gaining popularity in upscale condominiums and townhouses and other high-end residential real estate transactions. The idea is to attract either tenants or buyers, or both, by offering customizable living units. Financial incentives in the form of tenant (or buyer) improvement allowances afford new residents the opportunity to select nearly all aspects of interior decor, including relatively large projects such as plumbing and fixtures, wiring, and interior walls.


Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Real Estate, Construction and Building, Appraisal, Auction, Finance and Investment, Management

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Plain white box (Plain white shell) new

Definition:
One form of a shell lease, a plain white box is a commercial or residential building with a minimally finished interior, usually with ceilings, lighting, plumbing, heating and cooling (HVAC), interior walls (painted or unpainted), electrical outlets, elevators, rest rooms, and a concrete floor. A plain white box is considered ready to lease and ready for tenant improvements (TI's). In many cases, the landlord (the lessor) will offer financial incentives in the form of a tenant improvement allowance (TIA), which pays for or at least partially defrays the cost of any improvements necessary for the tenant (the lessee) to occupy the building itself. Tenant improvement allowances do not usually include furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE) or trade fixtures necessary for the tenant to conduct business. Usually vanilla shell improvements (VSI), or those improvements necessary to upgrade the building from a cold shell or base shell state, are not completed until the lease agreement between the tenant and landlord has been negotiated and executed. This ensures that the landlord does not pay for improvements that are unnecessary or that the tenant does not want.
Also known as a Plain white shell.
More or less the same as Warm shell, Warm lit shell, Lit shell, Warm vanilla shell, Tropical shell, White box, White shell, Vanilla shell, or Plain vanilla shell.


Discussion: Like many real estate terms and phrases, practical use and meanings of those terms associated with shell leases (e.g., vanilla shell, base shell, cold shell, warm shell, etc.) differ by location and situation, sometimes even within the same region or municipal area. As they say, the devil is in the details. The lease or sales contract should clearly and exactly specify the degree to which construction of any sort of "shell" or "box" building has been or will be completed prior to tenant occupancy. As either a tenant or landlord, you should not assume that the other party's definitions of shell lease terminology are the same as yours. Get it in writing, and make sure you understand and agree with all the terms and conditions of the shell lease agreement before you sign. If necessary, have a real estate attorney review the contract prior to its execution.

Shell leasing and its various forms (warm, cold, base, etc.) are used primarily in commercial real estate, but are gaining popularity in upscale condominiums and townhouses and other high-end residential real estate transactions. The idea is to attract either tenants or buyers, or both, by offering customizable living units. Financial incentives in the form of tenant (or buyer) improvement allowances afford new residents the opportunity to select nearly all aspects of interior decor, including relatively large projects such as plumbing and fixtures, wiring, and interior walls.


Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Real Estate, Construction and Building, Appraisal, Auction, Finance and Investment, Management

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Pole

1. A unit of length or area equal to one linear rod or one square rod, commonly used in land surveys. The terms, rod, pole, and perch are equivalent and may be used interchangeably, although "rod" is the most common. One (1) pole is equal to 25 links, 16.5 feet, or 1/4 (0.25) chain. For conversions and examples, see Rod, pole, or perch equivalents and conversions and the various Converting rods, poles, or perches to... entries.
2. A roundwood product used primarily for structural support. Tree species used for poles are selected for resistance to weather, wear, and mechanical stress and include lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and a variety of southern pines.
3. Term applied to trees that have too small a diameter to be considered sawlogs, but are useful as structural supports, flagpoles, etc.
4. The end of an axis, as in poles of the earth or of cellular mitotic spindles in plants and animals.
5. Either of two opposing parts, forces, or situations, as in magnets, batteries, or opinions.

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Real estate

1. Land, improvements upon the land (structures such as buildings, fences, sewers or septic tanks, etc.), and appurtenances that run with the land (such as streets, sidewalks, and easements).
2. Ownership of land, improvements, appurtenances, and natural resources of the land (such as minerals, oil, gas, water, etc.).

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

Real property

Technically, real property refers to the interests, benefits, and rights included in the ownership of real estate. In practical use, it is synonymous with real estate or realty. Ownership of real property includes the "bundle of rights".

Have something to add? How useful is this Landterm? Bookmark this term

|< < > >|