damper A movable
plate in a fireplace that allows smoke and fumes to travel up the chimney's
flue.
days on the market The period of time a property is listed for sale prior to being
sold or taken off the market.
deadbolt lock A lock
that requires a key to open from the outside and a turn button from the
inside.
debt Any amount one
person owes to another.
debt assumption letter The formal transfer of debt from one party to another, backed by a
contract of assumption signed by both parties. Also known as assignment of
debt.
deferred maintenance Any repair or maintenance of a piece of property that has been
postponed, resulting in a decline in property value.
delinquent mortgage A
mortgage that involves a borrower who is behind on payments. If the borrower
cannot bring the payments up to date within a specified number of days, the
lender may begin foreclosure proceedings.
density test An
analysis of soil to determine if the surface can support the foundation of a
house.
dentils Small
rectangular blocks that project from a building, usually under cornices or along
rooflines.
deposit Money given
by the buyer with an offer to purchase property. Also called earnest
money.
depreciation The
decline in value of a piece of property.
dimple To create
a slight dent with a light blow of a hammer when driving a nail. This technique
is typically used when hanging drywall to provide a tiny pocket for receiving
drywall compound.
dip tube An extension
of the water supply line into a storage tank. This delivers water close to the
heat source on the bottom of a water heater.
disability insurance An insurance policy that covers an individual's ability to produce
income.
disclosure A
statement to a potential buyer listing information relevant to a piece of
property, such as the presence of radon or lead paint.
discount points Fees
that a borrower pays when the lender makes the loan, to get a lower interest
rate. Lenders offer various rate/point combinations, and borrowers pay points to
adjust the interest rate to the market rate. One point equals one percent of the
loan amount.
distressed property Property that is in poor physical or financial
condition.
document needs list A list of documents a lender requires from a potential borrower
submitting a loan application. The required documents range from paycheck stubs
to credit card statements.
documentation preparation A fee charged by the settlement agent (escrow company or attorney)
to ready the necessary paperwork for closing.
domed ceiling A
hemispherical ceiling that projects upward without support.
domicile A person's
primary or permanent home.
dormer A window set
upright in a sloping roof.
double-hung window A
window that consists of two sashes that slide up and down.
dovetail joints Joints that lock two pieces of wood together with meshed
teeth.
dowel A length of
wood that is round in profile and made of hardwood (round lengths of softwood
are called rounds).
dowel plug A short
piece of a wooden dowel typically fitted into a counterbored hole to hide the
head of a screw.
down payment The
difference between purchase price and the portion of the purchase price financed
by a lender. Most lenders require that the down payment come from the buyer's
own funds, but may also allow gifts from relatives.
downspout A vertical
gutter that empties water from the roof to the ground.
drain auger Also
called a snake. A long, coiled-wire tool that you can unwind and push into a
drain line to free a clog.
drain flange The
round metal trim that fits into the hole at the bottom of a sink or bathtub. The
stopper or pop-up fits into this flange to retain water in the sink or
tub.
drain valve A valve
used to drain a water storage tank in order to perform maintenance or
replacement.
drainage A system of
gutters and drainpipes that carry water away from the foundation of a
house.
drainpipe Part of a
home's plumbing system that carries waste to the sewer or septic system. Most
residential drainpipes are from 1½ to 4 inches in diameter.
draw A payment made
to subcontractors or suppliers from a construction loan.
drip caps Angled
strips of metal flashing that are designed to protect the eaves from water
damage. With an L-shaped profile, they tuck under the first course of shingles
and extend down over the fascia.
drip loop A loop
in the service conductor that minimizes the chance of water
penetration.
dropped ceiling A
flat ceiling built lower than the original ceiling.
dry rot A fungal
decay that causes wood to become brittle and crumble.
drywall A
construction material composed of gypsum or plaster wrapped in paper and
produced in large sheets that can be nailed to wall studs.
dual agency A
relationship in which a real estate agent or broker represents both parties in a
transaction.
dual agent An agent
who represents both the buyer and the seller in a transaction. Some states
require strict disclosure of this arrangement to
consumers.