The evidence of eligibility given to a veteran by the VA. The certificate gives the veteran status to obtain certain loans with less money down.

A personal check drawn by an individual which is certified (guaranteed) to be good. The bank holds the funds to pay the certified check and will not pay any other checks drawn on the account if such payment would impede payment of the certified check. The bank also will not honor a stop payment of a certified check.

A designation conferred by the Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute, an affiliate of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS. The designation recognizes expertise in many different areas including commercial real estate sales, leasing, property management, appraisal, development, lending and investment counseling.

A true copy, attested to be true by the office holding the original.

A designation conferred by the Mortgage Bankers Association of America (MBA) to employees of its member companies after experience, educational and testing requirements have been met.

A professional awarded to real estate managers by the Institute of designation Real-Estate Management,an affiliate of the National Association of Realtors. Address: Institute of Real Estate Management 430 North Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60611

A designation awarded to accountants by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) after completing the required education and passing a national exam. Only CPA’s may audit HUD programs unless registered before 1970.

A designation conferred by the Real Estate Brokerage Managers Council upon a brokerage owner or manager who is an expert in the field.

A designation conferred by The Council of Residential Specialists upon those who have successfully completed the required courses and are experts in residential real estate transactions.

An appellate review of the complete record of a lower court action, rather then simply a review of an appeal for judicial error.

A pit or pool which holds raw sewage.

One having an equitable interest in property, legal title being vested in a trustee.

The person whose life is used to determine the length of an estate based on a life in being.

See: Chain Of Title; Chains And Links.

The chronological order of conveyancing of a parcel of land, from the original owner (usually the government) to the present owner.

A store belonging to a series of similar stores under central ownership and management, and striving for uniformity in design, inventory, and service.

Measurements. In real estate measurements (surveying) a chain is 66′ long or 100 links, each link being 7.92″. The measurement may change when used in fields other than surveying.

The principle that no physical or economic condition remains the same.

The time between adjustments of interest and payment on a adjustable rate mortgage.

When there is a name change of a party appearing on a document (deed, etc.), it may be reflected in several ways, such as (1) Mary Smith, a married woman, W.A.T.A. (who acquired title as) Mary Jones, an unmarried woman. (2) Mary Smith AKA (also known as) Mary Jones. (3) Mary Smith, formerly Mary Jones. (4) Mary Smith, alias Mary Jones. Each may be applicable in different circumstances (how and why the name was changed).

In construction, a written instruction to alter the original construction plan.