Home Improvement Remodeling,

FREE AND CLEAR TITLE
Title to real property which is absolute and unencumbered by any liens, mortgages, clouds or other encumbrances.

CERTIFICATE OF VETERAN STATUS
FHA form filled out by the VA to establish a borrower's eligibility for an FHA Vet loan. Obtainable through local VA office by submitting form DD 214 (Separation Paper) with form 26-8261a (request for certificate of veteran status).

CUL DE SAC
A street which is open at one end only, and which usually has a circular turnaround; a blind alley.

BLANKET MORTGAGE
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.

AGENT
One who is authorized to represent and to act on behalf of another person (called the principal). A real estate broker is the agent of his client, be it the seller or buyer, to whom he owes a fiduciary obligation. A salesman is the agent of his broker and does not have a direct personal contractual relationship with either the seller or buyer.

RETALIATORY EVICTION
An act whereby a landlord evicts the tenant in response to some complaint made by the tenant.

FEDERAL HOUSING ADMINISTRATION (FHA)
A federal agency within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which insures residential mortgage loans made by private lenders and sets standards for underwriting mortgage loans.

NOTICE OF COMPLETION
Document filed to give public notice that a construction job has been completed and that mechanics' liens must be filed within ,say, 45 days to be valid.

AMORTIZATION
Repayment of a loan with periodic payments of both principal and interest calculated to payoff the loan at the end of a fixed period of time.

NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR
That physical deterioration which occurs in the normal course of the use for which a property is intended, without negligence, carelessness, accident or abuse of the premises (or equipment or chattels) by the occupant, members of household, or their invitees or guests.

EVICTION
The legal process of removing a tenant from possession of the premises for some breach of the lease contract.