Glossary of Real Estate Terms (ce-co)

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

Certificate of sale

• A document issued at a judicial sale, which entitles the buyer to receive a deed after court confirmation of the purchase of the property.
  

Certificate of title

• A written opinion on the status of a piece of property based on an examination of the public record.
  

Chain of title

• The official record that details the ownership history of a piece of property.
  

Chair railing

• Decorative trim installed on a wall about 32 inches above the floor, which protects against scuffs from furniture.
  

Change order

• A modification of the construction contract to authorize a change in the work, an adjustment in the amount of the contract or a change in the contract time. The owner, architect and contractor must sign the change.
  

Change frequency

• The adjustment schedule on an adjustable-rate mortgage.
  

Chattel

• Personal property such as furniture, clothing or a car.
  

Chattel mortgage

• A lien on personal property used as collateral for a loan.
  

Chimney back

• The back wall or lining of a fireplace or furnace chimney.
  

Chimney flue

• The passage inside a chimney that channels smoke and heat to the outside.
  

Chimney pot

• A short pipe at the top of a chimney that increases ventilation to the fireplace and reduces smoke.
  

Cinder block

• A block made of ash and cement that is used in construction.
  

Cinder fill

• Cinders used below a basement or around a foundation to promote drainage.
  

Circuit breaker

• An electric fuse that activates or deactivates a circuit.
  

Cistern

• A tank used to store rainwater.
  

Classified property tax

• A tax that varies in rate depending on the use of the property.
  

Clear title

• A property that does not have liens, defects or other legal encumbrances.
  

Closing - Close Of Escrow (COE)

• The final procedure in which documents are signed and recorded, and the property is transferred.
  

Closing costs

• Expenses incidental to the sale of real estate, including loan, title and appraisal fees.
  

Closing statement

• A document which details the final financial settlement between a buyer and seller and the costs paid by each party.
  

Cloud on title

• An invalid encumbrance on real property.
  

Cluster development

• A method of squeezing more homes into less space.
  

Codicil

• A change to a will that adds or subtracts provisions or clarifies portions of the document.
  

Co-housing

• Individual housing units that are clustered around a common building where residents share cooking and other activities.
  

Coign

• The cornerstone of a building that differs in shape or color from the rest of the wall.
  

Co-insurance

• Coverage that involves the use of two or more insurers..
  

Collar beam

• The structural element that connects roof rafters.
  

Collateral security

• Additional security that a borrower supplies to obtain a loan.
  

Collection

• The series of steps a lender takes to bring a delinquent mortgage up to date.
  

Collusion

• The action of two or more people to break the law.
  

Colonia

• Unincorporated communities along the U.S.-Mexico border.
  

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