Word | Definition |
Façade | The part of a building facing the street or a courtyard.
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Facade | The front of a building. Frequently, in architectural terms an artificial or decorative effort. |
Face nail | To install nails into the vertical face of a bearing header or beam. |
Faced concrete | To finish the front and all vertical sides of a concrete porch, step(s), or patio. Normally the "face" is broom finished. |
Facing brick | The brick used and exposed on the outside of a wall. Usually these have a finished texture |
Fair Credit Billing Act | A federal law that governs credit and charge card billing errors. If a credit or charge card company violates any provision, consumers can sue to recover damages.
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Fair Credit Billing Act | A federal law that governs credit and charge card billing errors. If a credit or charge card company violates any provision, consumers can sue to recover damages.
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Fair Credit Reporting Act. | A federal law passed in 1971 that regulates the activity of credit bureaus. It is designed to prevent inaccurate or obsolete information from staying in a consumer's credit file and requires credit bureaus to have reasonable procedures for gathering, maintaining and disseminating credit information. The act also requires credit bureaus to show a consumer their credit file if the consumer presents proper identification, although the bureau reserves the right to charge a fee for doing so.
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Fair Credit Reporting Act. | A federal law passed in 1971 that regulates the activity of credit bureaus. It is designed to prevent inaccurate or obsolete information from staying in a consumer's credit file and requires credit bureaus to have reasonable procedures for gathering, maintaining and disseminating credit information. The act also requires credit bureaus to show a consumer their credit file if the consumer presents proper identification, although the bureau reserves the right to charge a fee for doing so.
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Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. | A federal law passed in 1977 which outlaws debtor harassment and other types of collection practices. The act regulates collection agencies, original creditors who set up a separate office to collect debts, and lawyers hired by the creditor to help collect overdue bills. An original creditor--the company or individual that originally granted the credit--is not covered by the act, but may be covered by similar measures approved by state governments.
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Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. | A federal law passed in 1977 which outlaws debtor harassment and other types of collection practices. The act regulates collection agencies, original creditors who set up a separate office to collect debts, and lawyers hired by the creditor to help collect overdue bills. An original creditor--the company or individual that originally granted the credit--is not covered by the act, but may be covered by similar measures approved by state governments.
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Fair Housing Act | Landmark federal law passed in 1965 and amended in 1988 that makes it illegal to deny rent or refuse to sell to anyone based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. The 1988 amendment expanded the protections to include family status and
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Fair Housing Act | Landmark federal law passed in 1965 and amended in 1988 that makes it illegal to deny rent or refuse to sell to anyone based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. The 1988 amendment expanded the protections to include family status and
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Fannie Mae | The official name of the Federal National Mortgage Association, it is a congressionally chartered, shareholder-owned company that buys mortgages from lenders and resells them as securities on the secondary mortgage market.
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Fannie Mae | The official name of the Federal National Mortgage Association, it is a congressionally chartered, shareholder-owned company that buys mortgages from lenders and resells them as securities on the secondary mortgage market.
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Farmer's Home Administration | A U.S. Department of Agriculture agency that provides credit to farmers and rural residents.
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Farmer's Home Administration | A U.S. Department of Agriculture agency that provides credit to farmers and rural residents.
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Fascia | A board that connects the ends of the roof rafters and provides a surface to support gutters.
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Fascia | Horizontal boards attached to rafter/truss ends at the eaves and along gables. Roof drain gutters are attached to the fascia |
Fasteners | A general term covering a wide variety of screws and nails which may be used for mechanically securing various components of a building. |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, law | The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, commonly known as Freddie Mac. The company buys mortgages from lending institutions, pools them with other loans and then sells shares to investors.
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Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, law | The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, commonly known as Freddie Mac. The company buys mortgages from lending institutions, pools them with other loans and then sells shares to investors.
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Federal Housing Administration (FHA) | This government agency operates a variety of home-loan programs. Its most popular is the Sec. 203(b), program, which provides low-rate mortgages to buyers who make a down payment as small as 3 percent.
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Federal Housing Administration (FHA) | This government agency operates a variety of home-loan programs. Its most popular is the Sec. 203(b), program, which provides low-rate mortgages to buyers who make a down payment as small as 3 percent.
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Federal National Mortgage Association | Now officially dubbed Fannie Mae, this federally chartered agency buys mortgages from lending institutions, pools them with other loans and sells shares to investors.
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Federal National Mortgage Association | Now officially dubbed Fannie Mae, this federally chartered agency buys mortgages from lending institutions, pools them with other loans and sells shares to investors.
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Federal Reserve Board | A group of economists and other experts who set the nation's monetary policy. Its chief tool to control inflation is the power to control interest rates. |
Federal Reserve Board | A group of economists and other experts who set the nation's monetary policy. Its chief tool to control inflation is the power to control interest rates. |
Federal style | The all-American home architecture style that evolved after the Revolutionary War. Details include bigger windows and a front doorway surrounded by glass and topped with an arched window.
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Federal Trade Commission | The government agency responsible for regulating a variety of companies and industries, from credit bureaus and collection agencies to timeshare operators and certain types of creditors. National headquarters: Sixth and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20580. Phone: (202) 326-2222.
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Federal Trade Commission | The government agency responsible for regulating a variety of companies and industries, from credit bureaus and collection agencies to timeshare operators and certain types of creditors. National headquarters: Sixth and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20580. Phone: (202) 326-2222.
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Fee Simple | Absolute ownership of real property.
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Fee Simple | Absolute ownership of real property.
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Fee simple defeasible | The owner of the property holds a fee simple title contingent upon certain conditions.
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Fee simple defeasible | The owner of the property holds a fee simple title contingent upon certain conditions.
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Felt | Tar paper. Installed under the roof shingles. Normally 15 lb. or 30 lb. |
Female | Any part, such as a nut or fitting, into which another (male) part can be inserted. Internal threads are female. |
Feng shui | An ancient Chinese belief that the physical characteristics of a house and the positioning of the home will affect the fortunes of the owner.
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Ferrule | Metal tubes used to keep roof gutters "open". Long nails (ferrule spikes) are driven through these tubes and hold the gutters in place along the fascia of the home. |
FHA loans | Mortgages that are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. The FHA's 203(b) loan program provides low-rate mortgages to buyers who make a down payment as small as 3 percent. The agency also operates loan plans for investors and purchasers of rural property.
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FHA loans | Mortgages that are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. The FHA's 203(b) loan program provides low-rate mortgages to buyers who make a down payment as small as 3 percent. The agency also operates loan plans for investors and purchasers of rural property.
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FHA strap | Metal straps that are used to repair a bearing wall "cut-out", and to "tie together" wall corners, splices, and bearing headers. Also, they are used to hang stairs and landings to bearing headers. |
Fiduciary duty | The relationship of trust that buyers and sellers expect from a real estate agent. The term also applies to legal and business relationships.
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Fiduciary duty | The relationship of trust that buyers and sellers expect from a real estate agent. The term also applies to legal and business relationships.
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Field changes | Modifications made on the construction site that do not match blueprints.
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Field changes | Modifications made on the construction site that do not match blueprints.
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Field measure | To take measurements (cabinets, countertops, stairs, shower doors, etc.) in the home itself instead of using the blueprints. |
Fill dirt | Soil brought in to solidify a finished foundation.
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Filled land | An area where the ground has been raised by adding dirt, gravel or other fill material.
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Filled land | An area where the ground has been raised by adding dirt, gravel or other fill material.
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Finder's fee | A fee in any amount that is paid to someone.
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Finder's fee | A fee in any amount that is paid to someone.
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Finger joint | A manufacturing process of interlocking two shorter pieces of wood end to end to create a longer piece of dimensional lumber or molding. Often used in jambs and casings and are normally painted (instead of stained). |
Finish | In hardware, metal fastenings on cabinets which are usually exposed such as hinges and locks |
Finish Carpentry | The hanging of all interior doors, installation of door molding, base molding, chair rail, built in shelves, etc. |
Finish Coat | The last coat applied in plastering intended as a base for further decorating or as a final decorative surface. Finish coat usually consists of calcified gypsum, lime and sometimes an aggregate. Some may require the addition of lime or sand on the job. The three basic methods of applying it are (1) trowel (2) flat and (3) spray. |
Finish grade | A finish that prepares a lot for landscaping.
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Finish Grade | Any surface which has been cut to or built to the elevation indicated for that point. Surface elevation of lawn, driveway or other improved surfaces after completion of grading operations. |
Fire block | Short horizontal members sometimes nailed between studs, usually about halfway up a wall. See also 'Fire stop'. |
Fire brick | Brick made of refractory ceramic material which will resist high temperatures. Used in a fireplace and boiler. |
Fire retardant chemical | A chemical or preparation of chemicals used to reduce the flammability of a material or to retard the spread of flame. |
Fire stop | - A solid, tight closure of a concealed space, placed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through such a space. In a frame wall, this will usually consist of 2 by 4 cross blocking between studs. Work performed to slow the spread of fire and smoke in the walls and ceiling (behind the drywall). Includes stuffing wire holes in the top and bottom plates with insulation, and installing blocks of wood between the wall studs at the drop soffit line. This is integral to passing a Rough Frame inspection. See also 'Fire block'. |
Fire wall | A buffer composed of fire-resistant material.
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Fire Wall | Any wall built for the purpose of restricting or preventing the spread of fire in a building. Such walls of solid masonry or concrete generally sub-divide a building from the foundations to two or more feet above the plane of the roof. |
Fire-Rated | Descriptive of materials that has been tested for use in fire walls. |
Fire-resistive or Fire rated | Applies to materials that are not combustible in the temperatures of ordinary fires and will withstand such fires for at least 1 hour. Drywall used in the garage and party walls are to be fire rated, 5/8", Type X. |
Fireplace chase flashing pan | A large sheet of metal that is installed around and perpendicular to the fireplace flue pipe. It's purpose is to confine and limit the spread of fire and smoke to a small area. |
Firm commitment | A promise made by a lender when it agrees to loan money for the purchase of property.
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Firm commitment | A promise made by a lender when it agrees to loan money for the purchase of property.
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First mortgage | The primary mortgage on a property that has priority over all other voluntary liens.
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First mortgage | The primary mortgage on a property that has priority over all other voluntary liens.
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Fish tape | A long strip of spring steel used for fishing cables and for pulling wires through conduit. |
Fishplate (gusset) | A wood or plywood piece used to fasten the ends of two members together at a butt joint with nails or bolts. Sometimes used at the junction of opposite rafters near the ridge line. Sometimes called a gang nail plate. |
Fixed installment | The monthly payment on a home loan.
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Fixed installment | The monthly payment on a home loan.
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Fixed price contract | A contract with a set price for the work. See Time and Materials Contract. |
Fixed Rate Mortgage | A loan for which the interest rate or regular monthly payment does not change during the term of the loan.
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Fixed Rate Mortgage | A loan for which the interest rate or regular monthly payment does not change during the term of the loan.
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Fixed time | The specific weeks in a year an owner of a timeshare arrangement has access to accommodations.
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Fixed time | The specific weeks in a year an owner of a timeshare arrangement has access to accommodations.
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Fixed-rate mortgage | A home loan with an interest rate that will remain at a specific rate for the term of the loan. About 75 percent of all home mortgages have fixed rates.
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Fixed-rate mortgage | A home loan with an interest rate that will remain at a specific rate for the term of the loan. About 75 percent of all home mortgages have fixed rates.
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Fixer-upper | A house that needs refurbishment or remodeling It usually sells at a below-market price.
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Fixer-upper | A house that needs refurbishment or remodeling It usually sells at a below-market price.
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Fixture | Personal property that is considered part of real property because it has been affixed in a manner that to remove it would cause damage to the property.
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Fixture | Personal property that is considered part of real property because it has been affixed in a manner that to remove it would cause damage to the property.
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Flagstone (flagging or flags) | Flat stones (1 to 4 inches thick) used for walks, steps, floors, and vertical veneer (in lieu of brick). |
Flakeboard | A manufactured wood panel made out of 1"- 2" wood chips and glue. Often used as a substitute for plywood in the exterior wall and roof sheathing. Also called OSB or wafer board. |
Flame retention burner | An oil burner, designed to hold the flame near the nozzle surface. Generally the most efficient type for residential use. |
Flash Point | The critical temperature at which a material will ignite. |
Flashing | Metal strips placed around chimneys, skylights, vents, windows, doors, beneath shingles and along seams in the roof to prevent water seepage.
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Flashing | Sheet metal or other material used in roof and wall construction to protect a building from water seepage. |
Flashing Base | The upturned edge of the watertight membrane formed at a roof termination point by the extension of the felts vertically over the cant strip and up the wall for a varying distance where they are secured with mechanical fasteners. |
Flashing- Counter | The formed metal secured to a wall, curb, or roof top unit to cover and protect the upper edge of a base flashing and its associated fasteners. |
Flashing- Step | Individual small pieces of metal flashing material used to flash around chimneys, dormers, and such projections along the slope of a roof. The individual pieces are overlapped and stepped up the vertical surface. |
Flashing- Throu-Wall | Flashing extended completely through a masonry wall. Designed and applied in combination with counter-flashings, to prevent water which may enter the wall above from proceeding downward in the wall or into the roof deck or roofing system. |
Flat fee | A set fee charged by a broker instead of a commission.
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Flat fee | A set fee charged by a broker instead of a commission.
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Flat mold | Thin wood strips installed over the butt seam of cabinet skins. |
Flat paint | An interior paint that contains a high proportion of pigment and dries to a flat or lusterless finish |
Flat roof | A roof with a level surface.
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Flatwork | Common word for concrete floors, driveways, basements, and sidewalks. |
Float floor drain | A drain that diverts water from the basement to a collection area. Water is then removed with a sump pump. |
Float Glass | Glass formed on a bath of molten tin. The surface in contact with the tin is known as the tin surface or tin side. The top surface is known as the atmosphere surface or air side. |
Floating | The next-to-last stage in concrete work, when you smooth off the job and bring water to the surface by using a hand float or bull float. |
Floating wall | Walls built to withstand movement in the basement floor.
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Floating wall | A non-bearing wall built on a concrete floor. It is constructed so that the bottom two horizontal plates can compress or pull apart if the concrete floor moves up or down. Normally built on basements and garage slabs. |
Flood insurance | Hazard coverage that is required in designated flood areas. |
Flood insurance | Hazard coverage that is required in designated flood areas. |
Flood plain | Flat, flood-prone areas located along waterways.
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Flood plain | Flat, flood-prone areas located along waterways.
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Floor area ratio | The calculation of the floor area of all homes or buildings in a project. It is used in the planning and development of a site.
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Floor Plan | The basic layout of building or addition, which includes placement of walls, windows and doors as well as dimensions |
Florida rooms | Enclosed porches built on the side or back of a home.
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Florida rooms | Enclosed porches built on the side or back of a home.
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Flue | Large pipe through which fumes escape from a gas water heater, furnace, or fireplace. Normally these flue pipes are double walled, galvanized sheet metal pipe and sometimes referred to as a "B Vent". Fireplace flue pipes are normally triple walled. In addition, nothing combustible shall be within one inch from the flue pipe. |
Flue collar | Round metal ring which fits around the heat flue pipe after the pipe passes out of the roof. |
Flue damper | An automatic door located in the flue that closes it off when the burner turns off; purpose is to reduce heat loss up the flue from the still-warm furnace or boiler. |
Flue lining | 2-foot lengths, fire clay or terra-cotta pipe (round or square) and usually madein all ordinary flue sizes. Used for the inner lining of chimneys with the brick or masonry work done around the outside. Flue linings in chimneys runs from one foot below the flue connection to the top of the chimney. |
Fluorescent lighting | A fluorescent lamp is a gas-filled glass tube with a phosphur coating on the inside. Gas inside the tube is ionized by electricity which causes the phosphur coating to glow. Normally with two pins that extend from each end. |
Fly rafters | End rafters of the gable overhang supported by roof sheathing and lookouts. |
Footer, footing | Continuous 8" or 10" thick concrete pad installed before and supports the foundation wall or monopost. |
Footings | Concrete foundations that support a structure.
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For Sale By Owner (FSBO) | The owner acts as the agent to avoid paying a sales commission.
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For Sale By Owner (FSBO) | The owner acts as the agent to avoid paying a sales commission.
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Forbearance | A course of action a lender may pursue to delay foreclosure or legal action against a delinquent borrower.
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Forbearance | A course of action a lender may pursue to delay foreclosure or legal action against a delinquent borrower.
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Forced air heating | A common form of heating with natural gas, propane, oil or electricity as a fuel. Air is heated in the furnace and distributed through a set of metal ducts to various areas of the house. |
Foreclosure | The sale of real property given to secure performance on an obligation after the oblation has been breached.
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Foreclosure | The sale of real property given to secure performance on an obligation after the oblation has been breached.
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Forfeiture | The relinquishing of property rights by a delinquent borrower.
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Forfeiture | The relinquishing of property rights by a delinquent borrower.
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Form | Temporary structure erected to contain concrete during placing and initial hardening |
Foundation | The support structure of a house.
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Foundation | The supporting portion of a structure below the first floor construction, or below grade, including the footings. |
Foundation ties | Metal wires that hold the foundation wall panels and rebar in place during the concrete pour. |
Foundation waterproofing | High-quality below-grade moisture protection. Used for below-grade exterior concrete and masonry wall damp-proofing to seal out moisture and prevent corrosion. Normally looks like black tar. |
Foyer | The entrance hall to a home or building.
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Frame Inspection | The act of inspecting the home's structural integrity and it's compliance to local municipal codes. |
Framer | The carpenter contractor that installs the lumber and erects the frame, flooring system, interior walls, backing, trusses, rafters, decking, installs all beams, stairs, soffits and all work related to the wood structure of the home. The framer builds the home according to the blueprints and must comply with local building codes and regulations. |
Framing | The construction of the skeletal framework of a house.
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Framing | Lumber used for the structural members of a building, such as studs, joists, and rafters. |
Freddie Mac | The common name for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, a congressionally chartered institution that buys mortgages from lenders and resells them as securities on the secondary mortgage market.
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Freddie Mac | The common name for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, a congressionally chartered institution that buys mortgages from lenders and resells them as securities on the secondary mortgage market.
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Free-market lots | Owners of these types of lots may hire any builder to construct their home.
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Free-market lots | Owners of these types of lots may hire any builder to construct their home.
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French doors | Two adjoining doors inlaid with glass that open from the middle.
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French doors | Two adjoining doors inlaid with glass that open from the middle.
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Frieze | In house construction a horizontal member connecting the top of the siding with the soffit of the cornice. |
Frontage | The portion of property that borders a roadway or body of water.
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Frontage | The portion of property that borders a roadway or body of water.
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Frost lid | Round metal lid that is installed on a water meter pit. |
Frost line | The depth of frost penetration in soil and/or the depth at which the earth will freeze and swell. This depth varies in different parts of the country. |
Fully amortized adjustable-rate mortgage | A mortgage that amortizes, or pays down, the balance of a loan.
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Fully amortized adjustable-rate mortgage | A mortgage that amortizes, or pays down, the balance of a loan.
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Fully Tempered Glass | Flat or bent glass that has been heat-treated to a high surface and/or edge compression to meet the requirements of ASTM C 1048, kind FT. Fully tempered glass, if broken, will fracture into many small pieces (dice) which are more or less cubical. Fully tempered glass is approximately four times stronger than annealed glass of the same thickness when exposed to uniform static pressure loads. |
Furnace | An enclosed heating device powered by coal, oil, propane or natural gas.
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Furnace | A heating system that uses the principle of thermal convection. When air is heated, it rises and as the air cools it settles. Ducts are installed to carry the hot air from the top of the furnace to the rooms. Other ducts, called cold air returns, return the cooler air back to the furnace. |
Furring strips | Strips of wood, often 1 X 2 and used to shim out and provide a level fastening surface for a wall or ceiling. |
Fuse | A device that allows power to be channeled into a home.
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Fuse | A device often found in older homes designed to prevent overloads in electrical lines. This protects against fire. See also 'circuit breakers'.
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