Sewer drains in the floor of a building, used where there may be a heavy accumulation of water, such as in a basement of a house, or where floors may be cleaned with a hose such as in an industrial building.

A furnace placed directly below a floor, which has no ducts and heats only through a grill in the floor.

An iron, stirrup-like brace, used to support a floor joist.

A joist used to support flooring placed over it.

The live load in pounds per square foot, which a floor is capable of holding safely.

The lower of two amounts of a single take out loan. For example: A lender agrees to loan on an office building being constructed, in the amount of eighty percent of appraised value if the building is seventy-five percent occupied, but only seventy percent of appraised value if the building is less than seventy-five percent occupied. The lower amount is the floor loan.

The covering of the ground of a forest, composed of partially decomposed vegetation, twigs, etc. Also called duff.

The layout of a building or portion of a building (apartment, office, etc.) showing the size of the rooms and the purpose of each (bath, bedroom, etc.). A good floor plan should be very important to a builder, since it will be important to a buyer or tenant.

A period during the working day when a specific salesperson is responsible for general inquiries (walk-in or telephone) regarding property in a brokerage office. This is generally established as a set, rotating number of hours per week for each salesperson. When a salesperson is “on the floor” he or she must be in the office or make arrangements with another salesperson to cover the floor during those hours.

High tide. The highest tide under normal weather conditions, as determined by the phases of the moon.

Not an easement by agreement, but the common law servitude of land of a lower grade level to allow water from land of a higher level to flow across it.

(1) The opening or passageway in a chimney through which smoke, gases, etc., pass from a building. (2) Any opening or passageway for the elimination of gases, fumes, etc.

(1) A natural gorge or ravine, through which a stream flows. (2) An artificial channel, inclined as a chute, and used to hold running water on which logs are floated from one place to another.

Tubular glass lights, the interior of which has a fluorescent coating. Light is produced by the action of a stream of electrons upon the coating.

A private corporation dealing in the purchase of first mortgages, at discounts.

FNMA ( Federal National Mortgage Association) accepts loans containing a buy down provision on single family residential, owner occupied properties. A prepayment (points) will buy a lower rate of interest during the first one to five years of the loan. Restrictions apply as to the amount of the buydown and rise in payment amount as the loan progresses.

See: Freedom Of Information Act.

A foot-like projection at the base of a foundation wall, column, pier, etc., used to secure, support, and help eliminate settling or shifting.

An attempt to sell property without using an agent.

The waiting for payment of a debt by a creditor after the debt becomes due.

A force which cannot be resisted. In other words, something beyond the control of the parties involved. Includes Acts of God (see which) and acts of man (riots, strikes, arson, etc.) Used primarily in insurance but may be extended to any type of performance contract, such as construction.