Real Estate Glossary
Our glossary is the largest dictionary of real estate and construction terms on the Internet with almost 10,000 definitions.
- Rib
- A structural reinforcement that projects above a surface.
- Rich Lime
- Also called fat lime, or quick lime, calcium oxide (CaO) is a caustic lime that is created by burning a pure or nearly pure limestone. It is mixed with water, making it putty-like in substance, and is used in finish coats of plastering
- Rich Mortar
- Expensive mortar mix containing a high proportion of cement used when extra strength is required.
- Ride the Brush
- Slang painting term meaning to push down too hard on the brush.
- Rider
- An amendment or attachment to a contract or a modification to an insurance policy.
- Ridge
- An edge, such as in a roof, where different sloping surfaces connect. The high point of a roof. Alternately, an elevation of land.
- Ridge Board
- Horizontal board that serves as a support in the highest point of the roof structure.
- Ridge Cap
- A continuous metal structure designed to cover the ridge of a roof.
- Ridge Course
- The course of roofing shingles running closest to the ridge.
- Ridge Cut
- A cut in a rafter at the ridge end.
- Ridge Vent
- Vent, allowing moisture to escape, which is located along the ridge board of the roof.
- Ridging
- An uneven joint between sheets of drywall, usually resulting from expansion and contraction caused by excessive humidity.
- Rigging
- Lines used by a crane to lift loads.
- Right
- A just claim to power or privilege or something that belongs to a person by law, nature or tradition, etc. Alternately, the claim of a person or entity to property by exercising an option.
- Right Angle
- A 90-degree angle.
- Right Angle Drill
- A drill designed to drill holes at a 90-degree angle, used to facilitate access to difficult areas.
- Right of Access
- The right of a property owner to go to and return from an adjoining street without interference.
- Right of Courtesy
- The legal right of a spouse to a life estate in all lands owned by a deceased spouse.
- Right of Dower
- Rights of a widow whose husband died intestate (without a will) to the use of all his lands and possessions for the support of herself and her children. Upon her dissent of the will, the widow is entitled to one-third of all of the assets of the estate of her deceased husband. This right is established in most states and significantly altered in other.
- Right of Entry
- Right to begin usage, for living purposes or construction, of property in the process of being purchased.
- Right of First Refusal
- A right to buy or rent a piece of property, before it is placed on the open market, which is given to a person by the owner of the property.
- Right of Redemption
- Borrower's right to redeem property taken in foreclosure by immediately paying off the loan balance and any related costs. The right of a bankruptcy debtor to recover personal property under lien by making restitution to the creditor.
- Right to Rescind
- The option to cancel a contract that was previously agreed upon.
- Right of Rescission
- Right to cancel, within three business days, a contract that uses the home of a person as collateral, except in the case of a first mortgage loan.
- Right of Subrogation
- Substitution of one entity or person for another if both have the same rights and obligations.
- Right of Survivorship
- Survival right of a person when that person has an interest in the property of another, such as in a tenancy by the entirety.
- Right of Way
- A right, which is given by the property owner, allowing others to use or to pass through his property.
- Right to Rescission
- Provision of the Truth in Lending Act, giving borrowers the right to cancel certain types of loans within three days of signing.
- Right Triangle
- A triangle where one of the three angles is 90 degrees.
- Rigid
- Not flexible.
- Rigid Base Diaphragm
- A reinforced concrete slab.
- Rigid Brick Paving
- Bricks laid in a bed of mortar for a patio, driveway, or other ground level constructions.
- Rigid Conduit
- Safety covering for electrical wiring using stiff pipe.
- Rim
- The edge of a fixture or container.
- Ring Shank
- Nails with rings around the shanks, designed for increased gripping power.
- Rip
- To cut a piece of lumber parallel to the grain.
- Riparian
- On the bank of a body of water.
- Riparian Owner
- Owner who has rights to water on his land and a reasonable right to water that flows through his property from an adjacent site.
- Riparian Rights
- The right of one owner to use a river, stream or lake that borders his property.
- Rippable Rock
- Rock that can be broken up and moved without the need for blasting.
- Ripper
- An attachment used on excavation equipment for cutting through rock and difficult ground.
- Ripple
- An uneven finished surface.
- Riprap
- Stones used as fill.
- Ripsaw
- A handsaw designed for ripping (cutting parallel to the grain) lumber.
- Rise
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- The increase in height over a certain distance. Often stated along with run to describe the steepness of a roof or other sloped surface.
- The vertical height of a staircase. Alternately, the height of an individual step.
- Riser
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- Vertical boards behind the steps of a stairway going upward.
- Vertical water supply pipe.
- Riser Diagram
- A basic design document showing electrical wiring and devices.
- Risk
- Uncertainty or variability. A chance of loss. As to real estate, the fluctuation in sales or profits and the likelihood of declining value.
- Risk-Free Rate
- Interest rate on the safest investments such as federal government obligations.
- Rivet
- A metal fastener used to permanently hold two pieces of material together. The rivet is inserted through holes in the material and the end is deformed to hold it in place.
- Rivet Hammer
- A hammer used to tighten rivets against the material they are holding.
- Rivet Set
- A metal tool used with a rivet hammer to secure a rivet in place by deforming the end.

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