Real Estate Website & Search Engine Optimization Glossary

Cache
Copies of web pages stored locally on an Internet user's hard drive or within a search engine's database. A cache is the reason why web pages load so quickly when a user hits the Back button in their web browser, since the page is not being downloaded off of the Internet.

Call Option
A clause in a mortgage which allows the lender to demand payment of the outstanding balance at a specific time.

Callable debt
A debt security whose issuer has the right to redeem the security at a specified price on or after a specified date, but prior to its stated final maturity.

Canonical URL
Many content management systems are configured with errors which cause duplicate or exceptionally similar content to get indexed under multiple URLs. Many webmasters use inconsistent link structures throughout their site that cause the exact same content to get indexed under multiple URLs. The canonical version of any URL is the single most authoritative version indexed by major search engines. Search engines typically use PageRank or a similar measure to determine which version of a URL is the canonical URL.Webmasters should use consistent linking structures throughout their sites to ensure that they funnel the maximum amount of PageRank at the URLs they want indexed. When linking to the root level of a site or a folder index it is best to end the link location at a / instead of placing the index.html or default.asp filename in the URL.

Cape Cod Colonial
A single-story house style made popular in New England. Often characterized by a steep roof with gables.

Capital
Accumulated wealth. A portion of wealth which is set aside for the production of additional wealth; specifically, the funds belonging to the partners or shareholders of a business, invested with the expressed intention of their remaining permanently in the business.

Capital Expenditure
An outlay of funds designed to improve the income-producing capabilities of an asset or to extend its economic life.

Capital Gain
Taxable profit on the sale of an appreciated asset.

Caps
Caps are used on adjustable rate mortgages (ARM's) to limit the interest rate and/or the payment. Most ARMs have a periodic cap that is around 2% per year and a life cap of around 5%-6% over the life of the loan. "Payment only" caps sometimes create negative amortization where the principal balance of the loan increases rather than decreases over time.

Cash-Out Refinance
Refinancing a mortgage at a higher amount than the current balance in order to transform a portion of the equity into cash.