Retail Gravitation
The ability of a shopping center to draw business away from other shopping areas. Usually, the larger the center, the greater it's power.

Retail Land Developer
Individual or corporation that takes a raw piece of land through the approval process with the town and then installs the necessary utilities to turn the property into individual lots, ready for construction.

Retail Lot Sales
The sale of the developed lots for building homes, office buildings, industrial buildings, shopping centers, etc.

Retail Property
Property to be used by a retail business for the sale of merchandise or services.

Retainage
Construction contract term for the funds that are earned by the contractor but not paid until some agreed upon date, such as the completion of the job. Supposedly, this is an incentive to complete the job in a timely manner.

Retaining Wall
Wall which block the settling and movement of dirt and keeps it stable.

Retaliatory Eviction
A type of eviction, illegal in most states, where a tenant is given notice to vacate his tenancy after making a complaint concerning the condition of a building.

Retard
To slow.

Retardant
A chemical sometimes added to cement or mortar to slow the rate of setting.

Retemper
Adding water to mortar that has become too stiff from sitting out.

Retention
The storage or holding back of something.

Retention Clause
A provision in a contract that allows the client to hold back a portion of payments until the project is complete.

Reticule
The glass eyepiece in a transit with crosshairs used for sighting.

Retire
Paying off the principal of a loan, fulfilling the requirement of the loan agreement. Alternately, to cease working.

Retrofit
To modify an existing system to bring it up to current standards.

Return
1. The return on a real estate investment includes appreciation (depreciation) in market value, which is called capital gains (capital losses) and periodic cash payments.
2. A vent in an air-conditioning system used to rout air back to the AC unit.
3. A plumbing fitting with a 180-degree bend.

Return Bend
The trap section, with a 180-degree bend, of a multi-piece P-trap, which is also called a J bend.

Return on Equity
Equity yield rate. The rate of return on the equity portion of an investment, taking into account periodic cash flow and the proceeds from resale. Considers the timing and amounts of cash flow after annual debt service, but not income taxes.

Return on Investment
Profit generated by a property, such as rents, etc. Usually stated with the profit as a percentage of the total amount invested.

Reuse Appraisal
Appraisal to determine the resale value of a vacant or improved property in an urban area which is now or will be under development, done in accordance with the National Housing Act.

Revaluation
The reconsideration of the value or worth of a property.

Revaluation Clause
Clause in a reappraisal lease (a rental in which the payment is a percentage of the appraised value) that is periodically adjusted after being reviewed by independent appraisers.

Reveal
The end of a door that is exposed only when the door is open.

Reverberate
To rebound. To echo.

Reverse Annuity Mortgage
Loan available to older owners who have equity in their homes but need cash. Monthly payments are made TO the owners and the loan does not have to be repaid until the property is sold.

Reverse Leverage
Situation where the interest rate on a property is higher than the financial benefits received from an investment, resulting in a negative leverage.

Reverse Mortgage
see Reverse Annuity Mortgage.

Reversion
1. An interest or estate in which an individual has a fixed interest in the future such as the remaining part left after obligations are paid which would revert for distribution.
2. The right of a lessor, upon termination of a lease, to possess leased property.

Reversionary Factor
The mathematical factor used to determine the current worth of future cash flow.

Reversionary Interest
Interest a person has in property that is now held by another. Upon termination of that possession, the property will revert back to the grantor.

Reversionary Lease
Rental agreement, which will only begin after the expiration of the current rental agreement.

Reversionary Value
Estimated value of a property at the expiration of a certain time period.

Revetment
A cement structure used to support and embankment.

Review Appraiser
Party specializing in appraisal reviews.

Revision
A change or alteration to a plan or contract.

Revision Block
A record on a plan listing information and dates on all revisions that have been made.

Revocation
1. Recalling of a power of authority conferred to another, such as a power of attorney, an agreement of representation, etc.
2. Termination of a financial instrument prior to issuance.
3. Nullifying of an offer prior to its acceptance by another party.

Revoke
To annul. To cancel or terminate.

Rewire
To replace old wiring with new in a structure.

Rezoning
Modification of the designation of a parcel or group of parcels on the zoning map, which changes the permitted usage of the area. Changes in zoning are usually requested by individuals or businesses and then approved by the zoning commission of a town. Normally, these changes are only granted if there is no adverse affect on other properties within the area.

Rheostat
A device that uses resistance to regulate electrical current. Commonly used as dimmer switches for light fixtures.

Rhodium
A metallic element used in steel plating. The element's atomic number is 45.