The most important factor in understanding real estate math is to learn the words that go along with it.

Ad valorem – The Latin phrase ad valorem means “according to value.”

Amortization – Amortization is when payments divide into equal amounts for the duration of the loan.

Appraisal – An appraisal is an estimate of approximate worth of something.

Appreciation – Appreciation is any gain in the value of a property over time from any cause.

Biannual - simply meaning twice a year. 

Capitalization – Capitalization is the conversion of assets or income into capital.

Capitalization rate – Cap rate is used to indicate the rate of return that is expected to be generated on a property.

Cetris peribus – A Latin phrase meaning “other things equal” or in plain terms all things remaining constant.

Commission – A commission is a fee paid to an agent for performing a transaction.

Debt – Something owed or promised.

Depreciation – Depreciation is any loss in the value of a property over time from any cause.

Discount points – Discount points also known as mortgage points are prepaid interest.

Double net lease – “”Double”” means two additional costs will be added to your base rent. Usually taxes and insurance costs are added to the monthly lease payment.

Equity – Equity is the difference between the market value of your home and the amount you owe the lender who holds the mortgage.

Escrow – Escrow is a way for money and property to be transferred from one party to another through the use of a neutral, third-party agent also known as an escrow agent. Escrow makes it a lot safer for both buyers and sellers to close the sale without worrying about getting snubbed or cheated.

Gross rent multiplier – The ratio of the price of a real estate investment to its annual rental income before accounting for expenses such as property taxes, insurance, and utilities. More specifically its a measure of the value of an investment property that is obtained by dividing the property’s sale price by its gross annual rental income.

Interest – money paid or owed regularly at a particular rate.

Investment – An investment is the legal purchase of something that is not consumed today but will be in the future to create profit.

Market value or market price – The actual selling price of the property. So if your home sells for $200,000. Its market value is $200,000.

Mill rate – The mill rate is the amount of tax payable per dollar of the assessed value of a property. Mill rate is also known as the millage rate.

Net listing – A net listing is when an agent agrees to sell an owner’s property for a set minimum price. Anything over the minimum price belongs to the agent as commission.

Net operating income – The total income of a property minus all operating expenses.

Property tax – Property tax is a real estate ad-valorem tax, calculated by local government, which is paid by the owner of the property. The tax is usually based on the value of the owned property.

Principal – The amount borrowed (such as the face value of a debt security).

Tax rate – The tax rate is designated rate the government taxes a person, business or entity.

Triple net lease – “Triple” means three additional costs will be added to your base rent. Usually taxes, insurance, and maintenance are all added to the monthly lease payment.