Half-Bath Also called a powder room, a
half-Bath contains a toilet and a sink but no Bathtub or
shower stall.
Hazard insurance This provision of
homeowners insurance covers damage by fire, wind or
other disaster. It is required by all lenders before a
loan is approved.
Header Crossbeams above windows and doors.
Heat pump An electric cooling and heating
system.
Hectare The equivalent of 2.471 acres.
High density The concentration of housing
units in a specific area or on a specific property.
High-rise Any building higher 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 U.S.
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, e, the loan is not the same as a
home equity loan. Also known as reverse mortgages.
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.
Homeowners' association A group that
governs a modern subdivision or planned community. An
association collects monthly fees from all owners to pay
for maintenance of common areas, handle legal and safety
issues, and enforce the covenants, conditions and
restrictions set by the developer.
Homeowners' 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' warranty Special insurance
policies that cover certain home repairs for a specified
amount of time.
Home rule The power of a local government
to adopt its own land-use regulations.
Homesteading A document that to protects
some of a home's equity from lawsuits.
Home warranty A type of insurance that
covers repairs to certain parts of a house and some
fixtures.
Hopper window A window that contains a
single sash that tilts inward.
Hose bibb A threaded faucet connection for
devices such as a washing machine.
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.
House wrap A polyethylene barrier wrapped
around a house to save energy.
HUD-1 Uniform Settlement Statement A
closing statement or settlement sheet that outlines all
closing costs on a real estate transaction or
refinancing.
