Real Estate Terms Glossary
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Half-bath
Also called a powder room, a half-bath contains a toilet and a sink but no
bathtub or shower stall.
Hazard insurance
This provision of homeowners insurance covers damage by fire, wind or other
disaster. It is required by all lenders before a loan is approved.
Header
Crossbeams above windows and doors.
Heat pump
An electric cooling and heating system.
Hectare
The equivalent of 2.471 acres.
High density
The concentration of housing units in a specific area or on a specific property.
High-rise
Any building higher than six stories.
Hip roof
A pitched roof with sloping sides.
Historic preservation
The physical rehabilitation of a historic home or building, and the movement
of the same name begun in the 1960s in the U.S. to preserve and protect landmarks
and urban neighborhoods.
Historic structure
A home or building listed in the National Register of Historic Places and
certified as historic by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.
Home equity conversion mortgage
Loans made to older owners who want to convert equity into money. Because
borrowers are qualified on the basis of the value of their home, e, the loan
is not the same as a home equity loan. Also known as reverse mortgages.
Home equity loan
A loan that allows owners to borrow against the equity in their homes.
Home inspection
An examination of a home's construction, condition and internal systems by
an inspector or contractor prior to purchase.
Home rule
The power of a local government to adopt its own land-use regulations.
Home warranty
A type of insurance that covers repairs to certain parts of a house and some
fixtures.
Homeowners' association
A group that governs a modern subdivision or planned community. An association
collects monthly fees from all owners to pay for maintenance of common areas,
handle legal and safety issues, and enforce the covenants, conditions and
restrictions set by the developer.
Homeowners' insurance
This insurance includes hazard coverage for any damages that may affect the
value of a house, in addition to personal liability and theft coverage.
Homeowners' warranty
Special insurance policies that cover certain home repairs for a specified
amount of time.
Homesteading
A document that to protects some of a home's equity from lawsuits.
Hopper window
A window that contains a single sash that tilts inward.
Hose bibb
A threaded faucet connection for devices such as a washing machine.
House wrap
A polyethylene barrier wrapped around a house to save energy.
Housing discrimination
The illegal practice of denying an individual or group the right to buy or
rent a home based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability
or family status.
Housing expense ratio
The percentage of gross monthly income devoted to housing costs.
HUD-1 Uniform Settlement Statement
A closing statement or settlement sheet that outlines all closing costs on
a real estate transaction or refinancing.