DRUMLIN
A long narrow hill of glacial deposit, sometimes trapping water and so forming a swamp at its foot.
DRY MORTGAGE
A lien which places no personal liability on the mortgagor, looking only to the property for security.
DRY ROT
A fungal decay of seasoned wood.
DRY-WALL CONSTRUCTION
Type of construction by which the interior wall is attached in a dry condition, generally as sheet materials, as contrasted to wet plaster application.
DUAL AGENCY
The representation of opposing principals (buyer and seller) at the same time. In brokerage many states get around this by saying that the agent aids the buyer but is the agent of the seller only. A problem arises if both buyer and seller pay the broker. Then full disclosure must be made. An escrow agent is the agent of buyer and seller and usually paid by both. This is why an escrow agent must be neutral.
DUCES TACUM
(Latin: Bring With You) An order, usually a subpoena, to bring records, documents, etc. for court examination.
DUCTS
Any conduit holding gas, water, electrical wiring, etc., as a means of carrying said gas, water, or electricity from one place to another.
DUE-ON-SALE-CLAUSE
See: Alienation Clause.
DUE-ON-TRANSFER PROVISION
See: Alienation Clause.
DUFF
Organic matter, mostly leaves, in various stages of decomposition on the floor of a forest.
DUPLEX
(1) Any building containing exactly two dwelling units. Most commonly refers to the units which are side by side, with a common wall and roof. (2) An apartment on two floors or levels.
DURESS
Forcing one to do that which he would not voluntarily do.
DUTCH DOOR
A door divided horizontally into halves, each opening and closing independent of the other, or latched together to act as one door.
DWELLING UNIT (DWELLING HOUSE)
The apartment, building, or group of buildings, occupied by a person as a residence.
E & O INSURANCE
See: Errors And Omission Insurance.
EA
See: Environmental Assessment.
EARNEST MONEY
See: Deposit (1).
EARNINGS
Money received for labor or personal services rather than a return on capital, although corporate income from all sources is described as “earnings”.
EASEMENT
A right created by grant, reservation, agreement, prescription, or necessary implication, which one has in the land of another. It is either for the benefit of land (appurtenant), such as right to cross A to get to B, or “in gross”, such as a public utility easement.
EASEMENT APPURTENANT
An easement for the benefit or another parcel of land, such as the right to cross parcel A to reach parcel B. The easement will pass with the transfer of property to a new owner. See also: Dominant Tenement; Servient Tenement.
EASEMENT BY PRESCRIPTION
See: Prescriptive Easement.
