Property management can sometimes be confusing, especially with people tossing around words and phrases you're unfamiliar with. We've rounded up a few of the more common terms you'll encounter, so you'll understand their use in any context when it comes to handling your property.
Acceptance fee: Some lenders charge a fee to give you a mortgage, this is your acceptance fee.
Bridging loan: A bridging loan is a temporary property loan when the borrower is between selling their old home and buying a new one.
Common areas: Property that is shared by all the tenants in an apartment or owners of a condo.
Deposits: A deposit is an amount of money that is put forth in earnest to hold a property or to help defray costs when the tenant moves out.
Equity: The equity in a home is typically the value of the property minus the remaining mortgage.
Fixed rate interest: A predefined interest rate charged for the full term of the loan.
House rules: A set of rules that must be maintained by residents.
Interest only mortgage: The interest only mortgage lets you pay only the interest during the loan and at the end of it you owe the principal.
Lease: The legal document that binds landlord and tenant together in regard to the rental property.
Management company: A group that functions as head of a property in place of the owner, handling or delegating all of the day to day responsibilities.
Negative equity: When a home owner owes more on their home mortgage than the home?s value.
Unit: Each individual living space within a multifamily dwelling.