| Abstract of Title |
| A condensed history or summary of all transactions affecting a particular tract of land. |
| Access |
| The right to enter and leave a tract of land from a public way. Can include the right to enter and
leave over the lands of another. |
| Accretion |
| The slow build-up of lands by natural forces such as wind or water. |
| Acknowledgment |
| The act by which a party executing a legal document goes before an authorized officer or notary
public and declares the same to be his or her voluntary act and deed. |
| Acre |
| A tract of land 208.71 feet square and containing 43,560 square feet of land. |
| Administrator |
| A person appointed by a probate court to settle the affairs of an individual dying without a will.
The term is "administratrix" if such a person is a woman. |
| Adverse Possession |
| A claim made against the lands of another by virtue of open and notorious possession of said lands
by the claimant. |
| Affidavit |
| A sworn statement in writing. |
| Agent |
| A person or company that has the power to act on behalf of another or to transact business for another,
e.g., a title agent under contract with Madison Title to issue policies of title insurance. |
| Air Rights |
| The right to ownership of everything above the physical surface of the land. |
| ALTA |
| American Land Title Association, a national association of title insurance companies,
abstractors and attorneys specializing in real property law. Its headquarters are in Washington, D.C. |
| Appurtenance |
| Anything so annexed to land or used with it that it will pass with the conveyance of the land. |
| ARM |
| Adjustable Rate Mortgage. See "Variable Rate Mortgage." |
| Assessment |
| The imposition of a tax, charge or levy, usually according to established rates. |
| Assessor |
| A public official who evaluates property for the purpose of taxation. |
| Assignee |
| One to whom a transfer of interest is made. For example, the assignee of a mortgage or contract. |
| Assignor |
| One who makes an assignment. For example, the assignor of a mortgage or contract. |
| Assumable Mortgage |
| A mortgage which, by its terms, allows a new owner to take over its obligations. |
| Attachment |
| Legal seizure of property to force payment of a debt. |
| Attorney in Fact |
| One who holds a power of attorney from another allowing him or her to execute legal documents
such as deeds, mortgages, etc., on behalf of the grantor of the power. |
