What Is Reaffirmation? Reaffirmation is a type of agreement a debtor makes with a lender to repay some or all of a debt despite going through bankruptcy proceedings. When a person files for bankruptcy, they do so in order to be relieved of a debt burden they cannot pay. By entering into a reaffirmation agreement
Reaganomics refers to the economic policies of Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S. president, serving from 1981–1989. His economic policies called for widespread tax cuts, decreased social spending, increased military spending, and the deregulation of domestic markets. These policies were introduced in response to a prolonged period of economic stagflation that began under President Gerald Ford
What Is Re-Aging Debt? Re-aging debt occurs when there is a restart on the clock on an old debt’s statute of limitations. Re-aging debt can happen if a borrower talks to a creditor about an old debt or makes a payment on an old debt. Re-aging debt is good for debt collectors because it gives
What Is a Real Asset? Real assets are physical assets that have an intrinsic worth due to their substance and properties. Real assets include precious metals, commodities, real estate, land, equipment, and natural resources. They are appropriate for inclusion in most diversified portfolios because of their relatively low correlation with financial assets, such as stocks
What Is the Real Economic Growth Rate? The real economic growth rate, or real GDP growth rate, measures economic growth, as expressed by gross domestic product (GDP), from one period to another, adjusted for inflation or deflation. In other words, it reveals changes in the value of all goods and services produced by an economy—the economic
What Is Real Estate? Real estate is defined as the land and any permanent structures, like a home, or improvements attached to the land, whether natural or man-made. Real estate is a form of real property. It differs from personal property, which is not permanently attached to the land, such as vehicles, boats, jewelry, furniture
What Is a Real Estate Agent? A real estate agent is a licensed professional who arranges real estate transactions, putting buyers and sellers together and acting as their representative in negotiations. Real estate agents usually are compensated completely by a commission—a percentage of the property’s purchase price—so their income depends on their ability to close
What Is Real Estate Owned (REO)? The term real estate owned (REO) refers to a lender-owned property that is not sold at a foreclosure auction. Properties become REO when owners default and the bank repossesses them and tries to sell them. The lender, which is often a bank, takes ownership of a foreclosed property when
What Is the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)? The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1975 to provide homebuyers and sellers with complete settlement cost disclosures. RESPA was also introduced to eliminate abusive practices in the real estate settlement process, prohibit kickbacks, and limit the use of
What Is a Short Sale? A short sale in real estate is an offer of a property at an asking price that is less than the amount due on the current owner’s mortgage. A short sale is usually a sign of a financially distressed homeowner who needs to sell the property before the lender seizes
