E

Effective gross income

The scheduled gross income of a property minus the vacancy rate.

Egress

The right to leave a tract of land. Often used in connection with access.

Eminent domain

The right of a government or municipal quasi-public body to acquire private property for public use. It is acquired through a court action called condemnation in which the court determines the use is a public use and decides the price or compensation to be paid to the owner.

Encroachment

A building or some portion of it, or a wall or fence, that extends beyond the land of the owner and illegally intrudes upon land of an adjoining owner, a street or an alley.

Encumbrance

Any lien, such as a mortgage, tax or judgment lien. It can also be an easement a restriction on the use of the land or an outstanding dower right that may diminish the value of the property.

Equity

The interest or value an owner has in real estate over and above the mortgage against it.

Escalation clause

A clause in a contract providing for increases or decreases in rent payments in accordance with fluctuations of certain costs or expenses of the landlord.

Escrow

A written agreement between two or more parties providing that certain instruments or property be placed with a third party to be delivered to a designated person upon the fulfillment or performance of some act or condition.

Exclusive listing

A contract to sell property as an agent, whereby the agent is given the exclusive right to sell the property or is made the exclusive agent for its sale.

Exclusive right to sell

A listing contract in which the owner appoints a real-estate broker as the exclusive agent for a designated term. The broker must sell the property on the owner's stated terms, and the owner agrees to pay the broker a commission when the sale is consummated