Real Estate Glossary

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Our glossary is the largest dictionary of real estate and construction terms on the Internet with almost 10,000 definitions.
 
Da - Deb - Def - Den - Des - Di - Dir - Do - Dop - Dr - Dro - Du
Desalt
To remove salt from something.
Description
Formal or legal description of property and its dimensions included in deeds, leases, sales contracts, etc.
Descriptive Memorandum
Type of description of a real estate property offering by a developer rather than a prospectus.
Desiccant
A substance which has a great affinity for water which is used as a drying agent often used in refrigeration systems or containers in which the contents must be kept free of moisture.
Desiccate
To dry completely or to preserve food by drying.
Design
Architectural plan, including blue prints by which a property project is built. Also, the act of developing the plans for a building, including the determination of size, features, style, and materials to be used.
Design/Build
Project where the owner contracts with a company to perform design and construction services.
Design Drawings
Plans that are used in the building business which give, in detail, all needed information for the construction or fabrication of a building or structure.
Design Load
Maximum amount of weigh which can be supported by a structure.
Design Symbols
Symbols that represent different types of materials.
Designer
Home design professional. Designers are limited to drawing blueprints, unlike architects who are able to certify plans.
Desist and Refrain Order
Court order to stop a specific activity.
Desk
A table-like piece of furniture equipped with drawers, compartments with a flat or sloping top used for writing.
Detach
  1. To disconnect.
  2. To unfasten or separate and remove.
Detached Garage
Garage that is not attached to the house.
Detached Housing
Freestanding residential housing constructed on its own building lot.
Detail
  1. The act of dealing with things item by item.
  2. Any of the small parts that make up something.
  3. A minute account.
Detail Drawing
Separate drawing of a section of a thing, which shows the details and specifics.
Detailer
Person who produces the detailed drawing of structures to be built or other objects.
Details
Enlarged part of a drawing, made to increase clarity.
Detect
To discover or reveal.
Deterioration
Reduction of property value from usage, which is worsened when repairs and maintenance are not made.
Detonate
  1. To explode violently and noisily.
  2. To set off an explosion.
Detritus
  1. Fragments of rock produced by disintegration.
  2. Any accumulation of disintegrated material or debris.
Developed Length
The length of piping as measured along the pipe centerline and fittings.
Developer
Creator of property improvements by building homes, shopping centers or commercial buildings for a profit on a specific area of land. A developer will organize and plan the development, supervise its construction and manage all the business elements of the project.
Developer's Equity
Financial interest a developer has in a project.
Developer's Profit
The sum of money a developer earns, after all costs are deducted, in a development project.
Development
Process of developing an area by planning and building homes, shopping centers, schools or churches. The process includes the construction of streets, sewers, utilities, parks, etc. Often used to describe just the process of obtaining the required governmental approvals for construction to proceed. The phrase "developed land" usually describes property for which approvals have been secured but no physical improvements have been constructed.
Development Loan
Loan used by a developer for the purposes of paying development costs and is repaid by sale proceeds. Also referred to as a construction loan.
Devise
Gift of real estate as stipulated in a will.
Devisee
One who receives real estate under a will. Devisor A testator/testatrix who donates real estate.
Device
  1. A mechanical invention for some specific purpose.
  2. A design, often with a motto, on a coat of arms.
  3. A junction box or other part of an electrical system that does not carry electrical current.
Device Plate
Cover for a part of an electrical system.
Dew
  1. Moisture, which condenses after a warm day and appears during the night in little drops on cool surface.
  2. Anything regarded as refreshing.
Dew Point
Temperature at which dew starts to form or vapor to condense into liquid.
Dew Point Spread
The degrees of difference between the air temperature and the dew point.
Dewatering
The removal of water from a place.

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LISA F. CIOFANI  Assoc. Broker
REALTOR-ABR GRI CRS CDPE
Institute of Luxury Homes Marketing

2314 Boston St.
BALTIMORE, MD  21224
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Office:  410-823-0033
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