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damper
A movable
plate in a fireplace that allows smoke and fumes to travel up the chimney's
flue.
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days on the market
The period of time a property is listed for sale prior to being
sold or taken off the market.
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deadbolt lock
A lock
that requires a key to open from the outside and a turn button from the
inside.
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debt
Any amount one
person owes to another.
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debt assumption letter
The formal transfer of debt from one party to another, backed by a
contract of assumption signed by both parties. Also known as assignment of
debt.
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deck
A roofless,
floored area that adjoins a house.
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decorating allowance
An amount of money supplied by the seller and held in escrow for
the buyer, to be applied toward negotiated decorating changes.
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deed
The legal
document that transfers ownership of a piece of property.
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deed of trust
A
document that gives a lender the right to foreclose on a piece of property if
the borrower defaults on the loan.
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deep-seal floor drain
A drain used to dispose of water from the basement floor to a sewer
line.
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default
The failure
to fulfill a duty or discharge an obligation, such as making monthly mortgage
payments.
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deferred maintenance
Any repair or maintenance of a piece of property that has been
postponed, resulting in a decline in property value.
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delinquent mortgage
A
mortgage that involves a borrower who is behind on payments. If the borrower
cannot bring the payments up to date within a specified number of days, the
lender may begin foreclosure proceedings.
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density test
An
analysis of soil to determine if the surface can support the foundation of a
house.
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dentils
Small
rectangular blocks that project from a building, usually under cornices or along
rooflines.
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deposit
Money given
by the buyer with an offer to purchase property. Also called earnest
money.
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depreciation
The
decline in value of a piece of property.
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design/build
A
project in which the owner contracts directly with an individual or company to
perform design and construction.
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designer
Unlike
architects, designers are limited to drawing blueprints.
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digital images
Images
that are incorporated into house listings to give potential buyers a view of the
property.
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dimension plans
Plans
which show the layout of a house but are less detailed than full
blueprints.
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dimensional lumber
Single pieces of lumber sawed to standard
dimensions.
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dimmer
A light switch
that controls the brightness of one or more lights. Most allow a full range of
control from full off to full on.
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dimple
To create
a slight dent with a light blow of a hammer when driving a nail. This technique
is typically used when hanging drywall to provide a tiny pocket for receiving
drywall compound.
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dip tube
An extension
of the water supply line into a storage tank. This delivers water close to the
heat source on the bottom of a water heater.
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disability insurance
An insurance policy that covers an individual's ability to produce
income.
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disclosure
A
statement to a potential buyer listing information relevant to a piece of
property, such as the presence of radon or lead paint.
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discount points
Fees
that a borrower pays when the lender makes the loan, to get a lower interest
rate. Lenders offer various rate/point combinations, and borrowers pay points to
adjust the interest rate to the market rate. One point equals one percent of the
loan amount.
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distressed property
Property that is in poor physical or financial
condition.
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document needs list
A list of documents a lender requires from a potential borrower
submitting a loan application. The required documents range from paycheck stubs
to credit card statements.
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documentation preparation
A fee charged by the settlement agent (escrow company or attorney)
to ready the necessary paperwork for closing.
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domed ceiling
A
hemispherical ceiling that projects upward without support.
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domicile
A person's
primary or permanent home.
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dormer
A window set
upright in a sloping roof.
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double-hung window
A
window that consists of two sashes that slide up and down.
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dovetail joints
Joints that lock two pieces of wood together with meshed
teeth.
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dowel
A length of
wood that is round in profile and made of hardwood (round lengths of softwood
are called rounds).
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dowel plug
A short
piece of a wooden dowel typically fitted into a counterbored hole to hide the
head of a screw.
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down payment
The
difference between purchase price and the portion of the purchase price financed
by a lender. Most lenders require that the down payment come from the buyer's
own funds, but may also allow gifts from relatives.
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downspout
A vertical
gutter that empties water from the roof to the ground.
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drain auger
Also
called a snake. A long, coiled-wire tool that you can unwind and push into a
drain line to free a clog.
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drain flange
The
round metal trim that fits into the hole at the bottom of a sink or bathtub. The
stopper or pop-up fits into this flange to retain water in the sink or
tub.
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drain valve
A valve
used to drain a water storage tank in order to perform maintenance or
replacement.
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drainage
A system of
gutters and drainpipes that carry water away from the foundation of a
house.
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drainpipe
Part of a
home's plumbing system that carries waste to the sewer or septic system. Most
residential drainpipes are from 1 to 4 inches in diameter.
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draw
A payment made
to subcontractors or suppliers from a construction loan.
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drip caps
Angled
strips of metal flashing that are designed to protect the eaves from water
damage. With an L-shaped profile, they tuck under the first course of shingles
and extend down over the fascia.
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drip loop
A loop
in the service conductor that minimizes the chance of water
penetration.
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dropped ceiling
A
flat ceiling built lower than the original ceiling.
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dry rot
A fungal
decay that causes wood to become brittle and crumble.
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drywall
A
construction material composed of gypsum or plaster wrapped in paper and
produced in large sheets that can be nailed to wall studs.
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dual agency
A
relationship in which a real estate agent or broker represents both parties in a
transaction.
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dual agent
An agent
who represents both the buyer and the seller in a transaction. Some states
require strict disclosure of this arrangement to
consumers.
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duct
A rigid
metal or flexible insulated tube, designed to deliver air to and from a furnace
or other air-handling unit.
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duct
Any kind of pipe
or channel that carries water, wiring, or conditioned air through a
house.
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ductwork
A system of
large tubes, pipes, or channels (ducts) designed to deliver air to and from a
furnace or other air-handling unit.
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due-on-sale clause
Standard language in a mortgage which states that the loan must be
paid when a house is sold.
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duplex
A structure
that consists of two separate family units.
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duplex receptacle
An
electrical outlet that accepts two lighting or appliance
plugs.
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Dutch colonial style
A design that features a barn-like gambrel roof, a ground-level
front porch, and dormers.
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