(1) A measure of weight; two thousand pounds. (2) A measure of capacity of an air conditioner. One ton equals twelve thousand British thermal units (B.T.U’s).

A method of joining (usually lumber) by cutting a tongue (protrusion) in one board and a corresponding groove in the other.

Map showing the differences in grade of a parcel of land. Grades are measured in relation to sea level.

The contour of land surface, such as flat, rolling, mountainous, etc.

The surface or upper layer of soil, which determines its suitability for farming.

A system by which title to land is registered with a registrar of land titles, instead of being recorded. Originally established by Sir Robert Torrens in Australia in 1858.

A civil wrong committed against person or property, independent of any contractual agreement.

See: Debt ratio

A formula to determine eligibility for a loan by figuring, as a percentage, all of the borrower’s monthly obligations divided by gross monthly income. See also: Expense Ratios.

A term varying in meaning, depending on the area of the country. May be a county, city, or unincorporated village.

Originally a house in a city as opposed to a country estate. More recently the term is applied to certain types of row houses, whether planned unit developments or condominiums.

A territorial division of land established by federal survey, being six miles square and containing thirty-six sections, each one mile square

Survey lines which divide townships at their Northern and Southern boundaries. The East and West boundaries are called Range lines.

A road under the jurisdiction of, and maintained by a town or township.

A general term referring to the past record of performance of one applying for a loan, developing a project, asking for a listing, etc.

A parcel of land. In some states, synonymous with a subdivision.

A house built using the plan of the builder, as one of many similar homes in a subdivision, as opposed to a custom house, which is built to the specifications of the owner.

A loan secured by an entire subdivision. See: Blanket Mortgage (1); Partial Release.

The area from which a commercial development can expect to draw customers.

The making of a down payment with property instead of cash.

Personal property used in a business, which is attached to the property, but removable upon sale as part of the business and not the real estate.