Real Estate Blog
Clear, practical guides to the ideas behind the definitions.
37 guides, newest first.
-
Real Estate Taxes vs Property Taxes: What Is the Difference? Real estate taxes apply to land and structures; property taxes is the broader category that can also include personal property like vehicles and boats.
-
APR vs Interest Rate: What Is the Difference? The interest rate is the cost of borrowing the principal; APR adds certain lender fees and costs, expressed as a yearly rate that makes loan offers comparable.
-
Short Sale vs Foreclosure: What Is the Difference? A short sale is an owner-initiated sale, with lender consent, for less than the mortgage balance; a foreclosure is a lender-initiated legal repossession.
-
What Is a Short Sale in Real Estate? A short sale in real estate is the sale of a home for less than the balance owed on its mortgage, completed with the approval of the seller's mortgage lender.
-
Realtor vs Real Estate Agent: What Is the Difference? A real estate agent is licensed by a state to represent buyers and sellers; a Realtor is a licensed member of the National Association of Realtors.
-
HELOC vs Home Equity Loan: What Is the Difference? A HELOC is a revolving credit line secured by home equity; a home equity loan is a lump sum repaid in fixed installments. See how rates and payments differ.