What term is used to describe money or other property given to make up for differences in value between exchanged properties?

The term used to describe money or other property given to make up for differences in value between exchanged properties is "boot." In real estate transactions, particularly those involving exchanges, such as 1031 exchanges, boot refers specifically to any additional value that is transferred to equalize the value of the properties being exchanged.

When two parties swap properties, if one property is worth more than the other, the receiving party may provide boot to the other party to balance the scales. This ensures that both parties are receiving equitable value in the exchange. Understanding this concept is crucial for property management and real estate transactions, as it reflects the principles of fairness and compensation in property exchanges.

The other terms relate to different concepts in finance and property management: equity refers to ownership interest in property, margin typically relates to the amount borrowed to purchase securities, and collateral refers to an asset pledged as security for a loan. None of these terms capture the specific context of balancing values in property exchanges as effectively as boot does.