| Term | Definition |
|---|
| endorsement | Writing one's name, either with or without additional words, on a negotiable instrument, or on a paper attached to it. |
| Equal Credit Opportunity Act | The 1974 federal law (Title VII of the Consumer Credit Protection Act) which requires fairness and impartiality without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex or marital status, or receipt of income from public assistance programs in the extension of credit, and good faith exercises of any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act (eg. the creditor must state reasons for denial of credit). |
| Equal Treatment/Different Impact | It is possible to be guilty of discrimination even by treating two individuals the same. If the results of the treatment are discriminatory, or tend to exclude or otherwise harm members of a minority group, or have discriminatory impact, they are against the law. For example, an apartment house which rents only to doctors and lawyers, where there are few, if any, minority doctors or lawyers in the area, may be a violation of the Fair Housing Laws. |
| equity | The difference in dollars between a house's value and the mortgage amount. |
| escalator clause | The clause in a contract permitting adjustments of the payments. |
| escheat | The reversion of property to the state in the event the owner thereof dies without leaving a will (intestate) and has no heirs to whom the property may pass by lawful descent. |
| escrow | A trust arrangement by which none or more parties deposit things of value with an authorized escrow agent in accordance with the terms of a real estate agreement. |
| escrow account | (1) A third party account that holds money safely while a sale is in progress. (2) An account used to save monies required for the payment of an eventual debt. Often used by lenders to save for property taxes, hazard insurance, homeowner's dues, etc. Escrow accounts are typically non-interest bearing for the contributors, but may pay interest to the entity holding the account (lenders, title companies, lawyers, etc.). |
| estimate of value | An appraisal; the appraised value. |
| et ux | Abbreviation for "et uxor", meaning "and wife". |
