hazard insurance Also known as homeowner's insurance or fire insurance, hazard
insurance covers physical risks such as fire and wind damage. Lenders usually
require coverage for at least the replacement value of the
home.
head jamb The top
horizontal member in a door or window frame.
header A crossbeam
above a window or door.
heat anticipator A
component of a mechanical thermostat that shuts off the furnace or boiler just
before the set temperature is reached to prevent overheating.
hiatus A gap
between two parcels of land that is not included in the legal description of
either property.
high density The
concentration of housing units in a specific area or on a specific
property.
high-rise Any
building taller than six stories.
hip roof A pitched
roof with sloping sides.
historic preservation The physical rehabilitation of a historic home or building, and the
movement of the same name begun in the 1960s in the United States to preserve
and protect landmarks and urban neighborhoods.
historic structure A
home or building listed in the National Register of Historic Places and
certified as historic by the U.S. Secretary of the
Interior.
home equity conversion mortgage Loans made to older owners who want to convert equity into money.
Because borrowers are qualified on the basis of the value of their home, the
loan is not the same as a home equity loan. Also known as reverse
mortgages.
home equity line of credit An open-ended line of credit based on a homeowner's accumulated
equity. Most loan amounts are limited to 75 to 85 percent of home's appraised
value; withdrawals can be made at any time within the credit line's
guidelines.
home equity loan A
loan that allows owners to borrow against the equity in their
homes.
home inspection An
examination of a home's construction, condition, and internal systems by an
inspector or contractor prior to purchase.
home inspector A
professional who evaluates the structural soundness and operating systems of a
residence.
home price The
price agreed upon by a buyer and seller, usually based on an appraisal of the
house's market value. If there's a difference between price and appraised value,
lenders will base their loan on the lower amount.
home rule The power
of a local government to adopt its own land-use regulations.
home warranty A type
of insurance that covers repairs to certain parts of a house and some
fixtures.
homeowner's insurance This insurance includes hazard coverage for any damages that may
affect the value of a house, in addition to personal liability and theft
coverage.
homeowners' association (HOA) A group that governs a subdivision, condominium, or planned
community. The association collects monthly fees from all owners to pay for
common area maintenance, handle legal and safety issues, and enforce the
covenants, conditions, and restrictions set by the developer.
homeowners' association dues Monthly payments due to a homeowners' association, to be used for
maintenance and communal expenses. Condominiums, townhouse complexes, and
planned unit developments (PUDs) may require monthly homeowners' association
dues.
hot wire An
ungrounded conductor that carries electrical current from the source. Hot wires
usually (but don't always) have black or red insulation.
house wrap A
polyethylene barrier wrapped around a house to save energy.
housing discrimination The illegal practice of denying an individual or group the right to
buy or rent a home based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex,
disability, or family status.
housing expense ratio The percentage of gross monthly income devoted to housing
costs.
HUD Abbreviation of
(the U.S. Department of) Housing and Urban Development, a federal agency that
oversees the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and a variety of housing and
community development programs.
HUD-1 Uniform Settlement Statement A closing statement or settlement sheet that outlines all closing
costs on a real estate transaction or refinancing.