Real Estate 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.
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 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.
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.
Home warranty - A type of insurance that covers repairs to certain parts of a house and some fixtures.
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.
House wrap - A polyethylene barrier wrapped around a house to save energy.
HUD-1 Uniform Settlement Statement - A closing statement or settlement sheet that outlines all closing costs on a real estate transaction or refinancing.
