15 Confusing Real Estate Terms Explained

Though realtor lingo can be confusing, it's crucial to know what certain real estate terms mean when searching for a home. "The real estate process is complex with many legal terms that most buyers and sellers have never come across," Karen Kostiw of Warburg Realty tells Hunker. Plus, according to Opendoor, 85% of first-time homebuyers faced challenges when making an offer on a home because they lacked real estate market knowledge.

Need help breaking down the meaning behind some obscure real estate terms? We consulted a handful of brokers and agents, and also a press release from Opendoor, to figure out what confusing real estate terms and phrases actually mean.

"Proof of funds refers to back-up documentation, such as returns, bank/investment statements, mortgage commitments, and pay stubs," agent Jeanne Byers of Warburg Realty tells Hunker. "It's proof that a buyer has the necessary funds required to close the deal."

"If someone describes a home as having 'good bones,' they're saying that the underlying structure is in excellent condition," broker Gill Chowdhury of Warburg Realty tells Hunker. "This often refers to a pre-war property in need of a full upgrade."

"A fixed-rate mortgage is a home loan product that allows the borrower to have the comfort of knowing what their monthly payments will be for the lifetime of the loan," Kostiw says. "Even as interest rates fluctuate higher and lower over time, the monthly payment will always be the same — as it is fixed at closing. It has a fixed principal and interest payment in accordance with an amortized [which means paying off a debt on a consistent timeline] schedule of fifteen or thirty years."

"An adjustable-rate home loan is a unique product that only sophisticated borrowers should consider," Kostiw explains. "Typically, the rate is set at closing for a period anywhere from one to seven years. At that point, the rate adjusts based upon current interest rates in the market. As such, the borrower is taking the risk that the rate will be lower on the reset date. If it is not, their monthly payments will increase compared to the current amount. This reset will continue for the life of the loan until final repayment."

"A pending offer is when a buyer and seller have agreed to all terms and conditions and have a written contract for the sale of the home," Kostiw explains. "This does not mean the house is sold or even that it is 100% certain. Many items can derail the sale when they are pending, such as failure to receive financing, a satisfactory home inspection, or an appraisal unacceptable to the financing institution. As such, a pending offer is a huge step towards a final sale, but it is not a guarantee."

"A contingent offer for a home requires some other action to occur for the deal to move forward," Kostiw says. "For example, an offer to purchase a property is contingent upon the buyer selling their current home. Another example is a purchase being contingent upon the buyer receiving financing. If the buyer cannot obtain a loan, they are then not liable to move forward on the transaction. One other example is a home purchase contingent on a home inspection. If the home inspection is not deemed satisfactory to the buyer, they can cancel the home purchase."

"Escrow refers to funds held by a third party which are released only when specific conditions have been met," Chowdhury says.

"Post-closing liquidity is the amount of capital a buyer will have on hand in liquid assets — primarily cash, stocks, bonds, etc., after they close on a property," Chowdhury explains.

"Closing costs are typically the costs associated with closing on a property and often refer to the costs charged by a mortgage lender as well as the attorney and title or escrow company handling the closing," Cara Ameer of Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty tells Hunker. "There are generally a few buckets of costs: closing costs associated with the mortgage loan (lender charges); closing costs charged by the attorney or title company closing the loan (if applicable in your locality or state); and lastly, there are pre-paids, which are separate from closing costs but also count towards the overall amount the buyer has to bring to closing."

"Pre-qualified means a buyer has had a verbal conversation with a mortgage lender, and based on the information shared about income, assets, and debts, as well as running their credit score, the lender is able to issue a verbal pre-qualification of a price range for which the buyer is approved," Ameer explains.

"Pre-approved is much stronger and preferable when shopping for a home," Ameer says. "The buyer has provided documentation to the lender to validate their income, assets, and debts, and the lender has been able to verify the information to issue a pre-approval letter. However, the approval is always conditional and subject to the buyer going through underwriting; once they go under contract on a property, they can fully approve the loan, which includes a satisfactory appraisal and also no adverse change to the buyer's financial situation."

According to a release from Opendoor, a cash offer is "an all-cash bid, meaning a homebuyer wants to purchase the property without a mortgage loan or other financing." Such an offer is often more attractive to a seller.

When you hear the phrase "close of escrow," Opendoor states that it refers to "the point in the real estate transaction when the buyer, seller, and all participating parties have fulfilled their legal responsibilities to one another."

"[A reverse mortgage is] a loan that allows people at the age of 62 and older to borrow against the equity in their home, tax-free," reports Opendoor.

If you're confused by what "equity" means, Opendoor's glossary defines it as "the investment a homeowner has in their home." It can be calculated by taking the home's market value and subtracting any mortgages or liens against the property.