Definition of "I.D.E.A.L."

Colleen   MacCallum real estate agent

Written by

Colleen MacCallumelite badge icon

EXIT Right Realty

An acronym stating the real estate is the I.D.E.A.L. investment. Each if the five letters in IDEAL stands for an advantage to real estate as an investment. "I" stands for interest deduction. The mortgage interest paid on the first and second residential homes are tax deductible. On the average, real estate is a good hedge against inflation because property value and the income from properties rise to keep pace with inflation. "D" stands for depreciation. The building on your land depreciates in book value each year and you can deduct this depreciation from your investment property and not residential. "E" is for equity buildup. This buildup of a capital asset is like money in the bank. As you amortize a mortgage, the value of your equity investment will steadily rise. In the case of income-producing property, this amortization could mean that your tenants help you build your estate. "A" is for appreciation. Your property value goes up every year, hopefully. Be careful because this is not guaranteed. "L" is for leverage. When you buy a house you make a down payment, say, 10% and you borrow the balance, say, 90%. You get the benefit of 100% even though you put up only 10% of your own money. You can maximize return with other people's money (OPM). The use of a mortgage and OPM means that you can use small amounts of cash to gain control of large investments and earn large returns on the cash invested.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

The continued and illegal occupancy of property after a legal period of occupancy has expired. In an estate at sufferance the tenant occupies the property at the sufferance of property ...

Traditional style borrowed from the British Georgian architecture in the American colonial period. Colonial architecture usually has two stories emphasizing window detail and shutters. ...

In the real estate industry, several professional designations can be awarded to real estate professionals. These professional designations provide real estate professionals with the ...

Ownership of property by two or more people in undivided interests, without the right of survivorship. Each coowner's interest may be conveyed separately by its owner. Tenancy in common ...

The definition of abatement is a reduction of penalties or a tax deduction for individuals or businesses. It can often be accessed upon an overpayment of taxes, if the company or individual ...

Portion of a deed that states the act and date of the transfer of the property. ...

An interim or provisional court decree, which is not final and can be reversed or amended, normally issued to direct additional proceedings prior to issuing a final decree. For example, an ...

A knowledgeable person authorized to aid in the underwriting of property and casualty insurance. ...

A written document terminating the terms of a lien through payment of all financial obligations. A lien release is given by the lienor, the one holding the lien, to the lienee, individual ...

Popular Real Estate Questions