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Writer's pictureStuart Dobson

Commercial Real Estate Terms Glossary

Here is the list of commercial real estate terms in alphabetical order with their definitions:

  1. Acquisition: The purchase of a property or business.

  2. Amortization: The process of paying off a debt with periodic payments, such as a mortgage.

  3. Appraisal: An estimate of a property's value, typically performed by a licensed professional.

  4. Appreciation: An increase in the value of a property.

  5. Bridge loan: A short-term loan used to finance the purchase of a new property while the borrower is waiting for their existing property to sell.

  6. Buyer representation agreement: A contract between a buyer and a real estate agent outlining the terms of the agent's representation of the buyer in the purchase of a property.

  7. Capitalization rate (Cap rate): The rate of return expected on a real estate investment, calculated by dividing the net operating income by the property's value.

  8. Closing: The final step in a real estate transaction, where the title is transferred to the buyer and the property is officially sold.

  9. Closing costs: Fees and expenses associated with the purchase of a property, such as title insurance, attorney fees, and lender fees.

  10. Commercial lease: A lease agreement for the rental of commercial property, such as an office building or retail space.

  11. Contingency: A condition that must be met before a real estate contract is considered valid.

  12. Debt service coverage ratio (DSCR): A measure of a property's ability to generate income sufficient to cover its debt payments.

  13. Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): The ratio of a borrower's monthly debt payments to their monthly income.

  14. Depreciation: A decrease in the value of a property due to wear and tear, obsolescence, or other factors.

  15. Due diligence: The process of evaluating a potential investment or product to confirm all facts, such as reviewing financial records and contracts.

  16. Earnest money deposit: A deposit made by a buyer to show their good faith in a real estate transaction.

  17. Eminent domain: The power of the government to take private property for public use, with compensation to the owner.

  18. Encumbrance: A claim against a property, such as a mortgage or lien.

  19. Equity: The ownership interest in a property, calculated as the difference between the property's value and the amount of debt outstanding on it.

  20. Escrow: A financial arrangement in which a third party holds and regulates payment of the funds required for two parties involved in a given transaction.

  21. Feasibility study: An analysis of the potential success of a proposed project, taking into account factors such as market demand and financing.

  22. Foreclosure: The legal process by which a lender repossesses a property due to the borrower's failure to make mortgage payments.

  23. Homeowners association (HOA): An organization that manages a community of homes and common areas.

  24. Indemnification: A promise to compensate someone for losses or damages incurred.

  25. Joint venture: A business arrangement in which two or more parties work together on a specific project or business venture.

  26. Leasehold: A type of property ownership in which the owner holds a lease for a certain period of time, rather than owning the property outright.

  27. Leasehold improvement: Alterations or improvements made to a leased property by the tenant.

  28. Leverage: The use of borrowed money to increase the potential return on an investment.

  29. Lien: A legal claim against a property that must be satisfied before the property can be sold.

  30. Listing agreement: A contract between a property owner and a real estate agent authorizing the agent to represent the owner in the sale of the property.

  31. Liquidation: The process of converting assets, such as real estate, into cash.

  32. Load factor: The percentage of leased space in a building compared to the total available space.

  33. Market analysis: A study of the supply and demand for real estate in a particular area.

  34. Net operating income (NOI): The income generated by a property after operating expenses have been deducted.

  35. Offer to purchase: A written proposal to buy a property at a specified price.

  36. Option agreement: A contract that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a property at a specified price within a certain timeframe.

  37. Real estate investment trust (REIT): A company that owns and operates income-generating real estate assets and is required to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income to shareholders.

  38. Tenant improvement allowance: An amount of money offered by a landlord to a tenant to cover the cost of improvements to a leased space.

  39. Zoning: The regulation of the use and development of land in a particular area.


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