Epistyle 
An architrave; the beam resting directly on the tops of the columns or between a column and another structure. 

Epoxy 
Liquid-like plastic with an added catalyst that causes a chemical reaction, which allows it to dry to a hard finish. 

Epoxy Adhesive 
Adhesive, which contains epoxy that causes it to work quickly. 

Epoxy Binder 
Binder made of a resin with polyamide hardener to create a chemical reaction when combined with epoxy paints, which allows the mixture to harden as it dries. 

Epoxy Catalyst 
Chemical that begins the hardening reaction once added to the epoxy. 

Epoxy Cement 
Epoxy enhanced cement, which makes it more durable while reducing curing time. 

Epoxy Paint 
Two-part paint that hardens to a shine due to the chemical reaction of the epoxy. 

EPS Forms 
Polystyrene forms that encase concrete and stay in place, acting as insulation. 

Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) 
Federal law prohibiting a lender or other creditor from refusing to grant credit based on the applicant's marital status, sex, race, religion, national origin or age or because the applicant is on public assistance. 

Equalization 
Mass appraisal of all property within a jurisdiction for the purpose of equalizing values to assure that each taxpayer is bearing a fair share of the tax load. 

Equalizer 
Sheave or bar utilized in rigging to compensate for unequal hoist rope length provides for equal distribution of force. 

Equifax 
Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc., one of the "Big Three" credit reporting bureaus that operate nationwide and is located as follows: P.O. Box 740249, Atlanta, Georgia 303374. Url: http://www.equifax.com. Phone: (800) 685-1111. 

Equilibrate 
Keeping something in balance; keep in equilibrium. Balance or counterbalance. 

Equilibrium 
State of balance or equality between opposing forces where they remain in check. 

Equipment 
Special things needed to accomplish a certain task. Tools. 

Equipment Ground 
Grounding wire, separate from the system ground, which goes to a piece of equipment to channel electricity from a faulty piece of equipment to the grounding wire, which prevents the electrocution of someone who is touching the equipment. 

Equitable Conversion 
Legal doctrine applied in some states in which, under a contract of sale, buyer and sellers are treated as though the closing had taken place in that the seller in possession has an obligation to take care of the property. Even though the legal title has not passed, the law holds that there has been an equitable conversion that effectively vests the property in the buyer. 

Equitable Lien 
Written contract or court judgment placing a lien on a parcel of property as collateral for a loan. 

Equitable Owner 
The person identified to receive the benefit of property held in trust. 

Equitable Title 
The right to demand that title be conveyed upon payment of the purchase price. 

Equity 
The value of a property after existing liens (mortgages, etc.) are deducted. 

Equity Buildup 
The increase in a person's equity in real estate due to the reduction in the mortgage loan balance and price appreciation. 

Equity Cushion 
Ownership interest in property that is above the minimum need to meet uncertainties or a downward trend in a real estate market. 

Equity Kicker 
Privilege of a real estate investor or lender to participate in the profitability generated from property, in addition to any principal, interest or dividends. 

Equity Lending 
Bank financing to a homeowner based on his dollar equity in the home. If a home is worth $500,000 and the owner owes $200,000, his equity is $300,000. 

Equity Mortgage 
Financing of a home based on how much equity the homeowner has in it. 

Equity Participation 
Lender has an equity interest in the property that is the subject of the loan. This is in addition to principal and interest payments on the mortgage. The lender shares in the increase in market price of the property as well as any net income generated. 

Equity in Property 
Amount by which the appraised value of property exceeds the debt balance. If property has a fair market value of $500,000 while the mortgage balance is $200,000, the owner's equity in the property is $300,000. 

Equity Purchaser 
An individual or business that buys someone else's equity in property but may not assume any responsibility for a loan balance. 

Equity Rate of Return 
Return before taxes on the capital invested in real estate property. 

Equity of Redemption 
Borrower's right to redeem his property by immediately paying off the loan balance and any related costs. 

Equity Reit 
Type of real estate investment trust (REIT) whose investment money is used for the purchase of a portfolio of specific properties to be managed in order to generate investment return through current income and capital gain. 

Equity Sharing 
Arrangement whereby a party providing financing gets a portion of the ownership. 

Equity-to-Value Ratio 
Percent of the purchase price of property to its total appraised value. If property is appraised at $500,000 and the price paid is $400,000, the ratio is 80%. 

Equity Trust 
Also called Equity Reit, this investment money from this type of real estate investment trust is used for the purchase of a portfolio of specific properties to be managed in order to generate investment return through current income and capital gain. 

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. 

Equivalent 
Equal in value, quantity, force, etc. Having the same properties as another. 

Equivalent Thickness 
Actual thickness, in a hollow concrete block, of the solid material. 

Erasing Shield 
Thin metal plate used to erase precise sections of a drawing by working through cutouts. 

Erect 
Not bending or leaning. To raise or construct. 

Erection 
Process of building a structure. 

Erection Drawings 
Detailed structural drawing of how to construct or install parts of a structure. 

Ernest Money 
Deposit in advance of a down payment, given as an indication of good faith. 

Erode 
To wear away gradually. To cause to deteriorate. 

Erosion 
Gradual wearing away of land through processes of nature, as by streams and winds. Alternately, a gradual decline in the value of real estate because of poor market and economic conditions. 

Erosion Control 
Effort taken to diminish erosion by utilizing drainage, water diversion, rotation of crops or planting wind breaks, etc. 

Erratic 
Having no fixed course or purpose. Deviating from the normal. Random. 

Errors and Omissions Insurance 
A policy that pays for mistakes by a builder or architect.