The Homeowner’s Real Estate Dictionary: 101 Terms Every Seller Must Know
Selling your house? You need more than a good price—you need to speak the language.
Real estate contracts are full of words most homeowners don’t use every day. From “contingencies” to “title defects,” these terms can cost or save you thousands depending on how well you understand them.
In this post, we break down the 101 real estate terms every seller should know—from A to Z. And we’re not just throwing definitions at you—we’re linking each one to real-life selling scenarios, showing how understanding these words gives you leverage in every conversation.
Why Learning Real Estate Terms Matters
📌 You’ll catch red flags faster
📌 You’ll ask smarter questions
📌 You’ll protect yourself from shady contracts
📌 You’ll have the confidence to negotiate better offers
Common Confusion, Simplified
What’s the difference between assessed value and appraised value?
Assessed value is what the county tax office says your home is worth. Appraised value is what a licensed appraiser says based on comps and condition.
What does it mean if there’s a lien on my house?
A lien is a legal claim against your property—often from unpaid taxes, contractors, or judgments. You usually can’t sell until it’s resolved.
Is a cash offer always better?
Not always. It depends on contingencies, closing timeline, and net proceeds. A clean, fast cash offer with no inspection contingency might beat a higher financed offer with red tape.
A Preview of Terms Every Seller Should Know
Assumable Mortgage – A loan a buyer can take over under the original terms
Contingency – A condition that must be met for the deal to move forward
Fiduciary Duty – A legal responsibility to act in another’s best interest
Hard Money Loan – A short-term, high-interest loan based on property equity
Probate Sale – A court-supervised process to sell property from a deceased estate
Escrow – A neutral third party that holds money and documents until the deal is complete
Clear Title – Ownership free from liens or legal disputes
Short Sale – When a home is sold for less than the amount owed on the mortgage
Wraparound Mortgage – A financing structure where a new loan “wraps” around the existing one
AVM (Automated Valuation Model) – A computer-generated home value (think: Zestimate)
View the Full Glossary
Want the full 101-term glossary to use as a cheat sheet while selling your house? We’ve got you covered.
You can also check out our interactive, search-enabled Online Real Estate Glossary if you prefer to explore terms one-by-one.
What Smart Sellers Do With This Info
Sellers who understand these terms are better prepared to:\n- Avoid bad contracts
Ask agents or investors sharper questions
Understand financing options like seller carryback or subject-to deals
Defend their asking price with better comps
Walk away from shady buyers who use confusion as leverage
Need Help Navigating Real Estate Jargon?
We do more than explain—we act. Let’s break it all down for your exact situation and give you an offer you can understand in plain English.
📞 Call us or Get a Real Cash Offer Now — No obligation. No jargon. No pressure.