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Why “equity” can mean “cash” in real estate and “fairness” in everyday language

by Katherine Wiles

Mar 11, 2021

“Equity” comes from a Latin root meaning “fair” or ”equal.” It’s legal history started in 15th century English equity courts.

Equity has multiple meanings when it comes to real estate that derive from the term "equity of redemption."

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

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