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A

Abstract Of Title
A public record showing a condensed title history of the property.

Acceleration Clause   
A provision which requires that the remaining balance due be paid if the borrower defaults on the loan or transfers the title to another party.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
A mortgage with an interest rate that change periodically, according to an "index", such as Treasury Bills. Monthly payments can go up or down when the rate is adjusted.

Adjustment Date
The date that an ARMs interest rate is changed .

Amortization
The paying of paying off the debt or mortgage, usually by equal monthly payments. Monthly payments are mostly interest at first (because the debt is higher) and almost entirely principal in later years, when the loan balance is small.

Amortization Schedule
A table which shows the distribution of monthly payments - how much will be applied toward principle and how much toward interest over the life of the loan.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
A figure that attempts to reflect the total cost of the loan, expressed as a yearly rate. Because the APR takes the total cost of credit into account, it can never be lower, and is almost higher than the stated note rate or advertised rate. Within reason, the APR allows you to compare different types of mortgages based on the total cost.

Application Form (1003)
The standard from used to apply for a mortgage. The form includes information regarding income, savings, assets, debts and more.

Appraisal
A written justification of value of a property, usually based on an analysis of the price paid for similar properties in the area.

Appraised Value
An opinion of the fair value of a property, generally by a qualified and/or licensed professional appraiser.

Appreciation
The increase in the value of a property over time, usually due to changes in market conditions, inflation or improvements.   

APR
See Annual Percentage Rate.

ARM
See Adjustable Mortgage Rate

Assessed Value
The valuation placed on property for the purpose of fixing the amount of property taxes.

Assessment
The process of the setting the value of a property for tax purposes.

Asset
Personal and real property: items of value which can be quickly converted into cash. Bank accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, personal property, etc.

Assignment
Transfer of ownership from one individual to another. Lenders often assign mortgages that hey make to Fannie Mae or other entities that specialize in buying mortgages.

Assumable Mortgages
A mortgage which can be assumed by the buyer when a home is sold. Not commonly available in recent years.

Assumption
The process of assuming a mortgage.

B

Balloon Mortgage
A fixed rate mortgage with monthly payments which are not large enough to pay off the loan during the term. Balloons end after a specific time, usually one to five years, after which the entire remaining balance must be paid in a lump sum.

Balloon Payment
The final lump sum payment due at the end of a balloon mortgage.

Balloon Reset Mortgage
See Two Step Mortgage (Balloon Reset)

Basis Point
1/100th of a point. See Point

Bill Of Sale
A written document which transfers titles to personal property, such as an automobile or other valuable property.

Biweekly Mortgage
A mortgage with payments made every two weeks instead of monthly. Since a biweekly has 26 payments per year - the equivalent of 13 monthly payments - the loan is paid off much sooner, typically in 18-20 years as apposed to monthly payments for 30 years. The early payoff saves substantial amounts of interest.

Bridge Loan
A loan used (usually) to finance the down  payment on a new home before the previous property is sold. Previously  commonly available, bridge loans are hard to find and are expensive.

Broker
A person or company that, for a specific fee, provides a service. Real estate brokers bring together buyers and sellers and then facilitate the transaction. Note: most real estate brokers represent the seller, Not the buyer. Mortgage brokers are individuals or companies which arrange financing but do not lend money directly.

Buydown
A provision where someone, usually the builder or seller, subsides the mortgage, either by paying extra points or by setting up an escrow account with funds to subsidize the loan during the first few years. The effect is to lower the interest rate for some period of time, which in turn allows borrower to qualify. The reduced monthly payments increase when the subsidy expires.

C

Caps
Caps are limits on the amounts that the interest rate on an adjustable Rate Mortgage can change at any one adjustment and (usually) over the life of the loan. They protect the borrower from huge increase in the monthly payment in a rising interest rate environment. Rarely, a cap may apply to payment amount rather than to the rate. Under certain conditions payment caps can cause the loan balance to increase rather than decrease. See Negative Amortization.

Cash Out Refinance
The process of refinancing for an amount higher than the balance due, assuming the property has a sufficiently high value.

Certificate of Eligibility
A document required for a VA guaranteed loan. It is obtained through any local VA office on presentation of a DD-214 separation Paper.

Certificate Of Reasonable Value (CRV)
Used for VA loans only, a certificate issued by the Veterans Administration verifying the appraisal.

Closing
A meeting between the buyer, seller and lender where the property and funds legally change hands. Called a Settlement Statement.

Closing Costs
The total costs and fees associated with closing. Includes one-time non-recurring fees and charges for inspections and other services, and (usually) initials escrows for recurring costs such as property taxes and insurances.

Closing Statement
See Settlement Statement

Collateral
An asset used to secure a loan. A lender can seize it if the borrower defaults.

Collection
The semi-formal process used by lenders in contacting borrowers in an effort to bring a loan current. In the case of the mortgage, the mailing and the formal recording of certain documents which may be required to foreclose on a property.

Commitment
A promise by a lender to make a loan within a specified time period, subject to compliance with stated conditions. The lender's obligation expires if the borrower does not close the loan prior  to the expiration date of the commitment.

Common Area
Those portions of a building, land and amenities in condominium and cooperative projects which are used by the apartment owners. Examples are the hallways, parking areas and other amenities.

Common Area Assessments
Free paid (usually) to an Owners Association by the owners of the individual units in a condominium or cooperative which are used to maintain the property and common areas.

Community Home Buyers Programs
A series of low-income loan programs offered under Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac auspices. These generally require only 3-5% down but do require PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance).

Comparables
Recent sales of similar properties in the area. Used to measure local market value to help set the current value of a property.

Condominium
A form of ownership in real property when the owners have title to only an apartment or townhouse. The common areas and the building exteriors are owned jointly. All owners have generally rights to all common areas.

Conversion
Usually refers to the process of converting a property to from rental to either a condominium or cooperative property. Tenants generally have a first right of purchase for the unit they occupy.

Construction Loan
A Loan used to finance construction of a new home and sometimes the land for a home. Depending on  local custom, a construction loan may a permanent mortgage with funds disbursed as construction proceeds, or maybe a short term loan that must be repaid on completion.

Contingency
A condition which must be met before a contract is binding. for example a requirement that an existing lien on the property must be cleared by a certain date.

Conventional Mortgage
A loose term which generally refers to a fixed-rate confirming loan other than an FHA or VA loan.

Convertible ARM
An adjustable Rate Mortgage with a borrower's option to convert a fixed-rate mortgage under specified conditions.

Cooperative (co-op)
A form of ownership in which the residents own shares in a corporation which own the entire property. Shareholders are entitled to occupy a specific apartment and to have use of the common areas.

COFI (Cost Of Funds Index)
An index produced by the 11th District Federal Home Loan Bank. One of several indexes used to set interest rate changes for certain Adjustable-Rate-Mortgages.

Credit Report
A report on an individual's credit history used by lenders to determine credit risk. A record of an individual's repayment of debt.

CRV
See Certificate of Reasonable Value.

D

Debt
An obligation, specifically, the amount owed.

Debt To Income Ratio (DTI)
Total outstanding debt as a portion of total income. Used by lenders as a measure of credit worthiness.

Deed
The legal document which certifies title to a property.

Deed-In-Lieu
A means of avoiding foreclosure by conveying title to the lender. The lender has the option of whether to accept a deed-in-lieu, to proceed with the foreclosure, or both.

Deed Of Trust
Used in place of a mortgage in some states. The deed to a property is held by a trustee (title company or other third party) with the condition that it will be conveyed to the borrower when the mortgage is paid off.

Default
Failure to make payments within a specified period of time. A finding made by a lender prior to beginning foreclosure proceedings.

Delinquency
Failure to make mortgage payments when they are due. Policies vary from lender to lender but a borrower is generally reported delinquent if a payment is more than 30 days late.

Depreciation
A decline in the value of property; the opposite of appreciation.

Discount Point
A prepayment of interest equal to 1% of the mortgage amount. See Point, Origination Fee.

Down Payment
A part of the purchase price, paid in cash, to cover the difference between the purchase price and the loan amount. Typically between 5% and 20% but can be more or less.

Due-On-Sale
A provision which requires that the remaining balance due be paid if the borrower sells the property or transfers title to another party.

E

Earnest Money
A deposit made by the potential homebuyer which restrains the seller from offering the property to another party for a specified period.

Easement
A right of way allowing access to or over a property for a specific purpose, such as for a power line, or a road for access to another property.

Eminent Domain
The right of a government to take private property for public use upon payment of its fair market value. Eminent domain is the basis for condemnation proceedings.

Encroachment
An illegal intrusion on another property by a fence, structure, etc.

Encumbrance
Anything that affects or limits the title to a property, such as a lien or mortgage, easement, or a lease or other restriction.

Equity
The difference between the fair market value of a property and any lien or mortgage. the owner would realize the net amount if the property were sold.

Escrow
Funds deposited with a third party to be delivered upon the fulfillment of a condition. A special account created to hold money for taxes and insurances, or to hold deposit money prior to closing.

Escrow Account
An account created for a specific purpose, such as to hold money for taxes and insurance, or to hold deposit money prior to closing.

Estate
The total of all the real property and personal property owned by an individual at time of death.

Eviction
A legal proceeding to expel an occupant from a property.

Examination Of Title
An abstract of report on the title of a property, taken from public records.

F

Fair Market Value
The highest price for a property that a willing buyer would pay, and the lowest price a willing seller would accept.

Fannie Mae (FNMA)
The Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA). A government sponsored private corporation which purchase mortgages from lenders. Also see Freddie Mac (FHLMC). 

Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
A division of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. See FHA Mortgage.

Fee Simple
Absolute title; the highest possible interest in a property.

FHA mortgage
A mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Typically, FHA mortgages require somewhat lower down payments and less stringent qualification requirements. The borrower pays a relatively high mortgage insurance premium which can be paid monthly or added to the total loan amount.

First Mortgage
A loan used to finance the purchase of a home. the primary lien against a property.

First Trust Deed
See Deed of Trust

Fixed Rate Mortgage
A mortgage with an interest rate that remains constant for the life of the loan. The rate is set when the loan is made and never changes. Also see Balloon Mortgage.

Flood Insurance
Insurance against damage from flooding. A specialized  insurance which must be purchased separately.

Foreclosure
The legal process used to regain title to a mortgaged property if the borrower defaults. Foreclosure usually involves a forced  sale of the property with the proceeds being applied to the mortgage balance.

Freddie Mac (FHLMC)
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. A government sponsored private corporation which purchase mortgages from lenders. Also See Fannie Mae (FNMA)

FRM
See Fixed Rate Mortgage

G

Ginnie Mae (GNMA)
Government National Mortgage Association. A Federally owned corporation that funds FHA and VA loans. GNMA performs  the same a roll as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in providing funds to lenders for making home loans.

Good Faith Estimate
A formal Estimate of the fees and charges which the borrower must pay at  the closing. Lenders are required to provide a Good Faith Estimate at the time the commitment is issued.

Grantee
The person or entity to whom an interest in real property  is conveyed.

Grantor
A person or an entity conveying and interest in real property.

H

Hazard Insurance
Insurance to protect the homeowner AND the lender against physical damage to a property from fire, windstorm, vandalism and other specified hazards. Also see Flood Insurance, Homeowner's Policy.

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage
Literally, a Reverse Mortgage, which allows (usually) elderly homeowners who have a substantial amount of equity to convert the equity into cash. A lenders make regular payments to the homeowner, with a corresponding lien building against the property. The loan must be repaid at a specified time or when the borrower no longer occupies the property.

Home Equity Line Of Credit (HELOC)
A variable rate line of credit secured by a homeowner's equity. The lender provides funds in demand, with a corresponding lien against the property. The loan must be repaid in installments after specified draw period.

Homeowner's Policy
A standardized from of insurance providing blanket coverage against personal liability and a wide variety of hazards. Homeowner's policies do NOT include flood insurance, and may also specify additional exemptions.

HUD-1 Settlement Statement
See Settlement Statement

I

Index
An economic indicator that is used to determine changes in the interest rate of an Adjustable Rate Mortgage. U.S. Treasury bills and notes are the most common but there are others. The rate is periodically adjusted to the index value plus margin.

Interest
the charge paid for borrowing money

Interim Financing
See Construction Loan.

Investor
The actual source of money for the mortgage

J

Joint Tenancy
Joint ownership by two or more persons such as husband and wife, business partners, etc. each person has equal rights to the property and ownership passes to the survivor in the event of death.

Jumbo Loan
A mortgage for an amount grater than the amount eligible for purchase by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. See Non Conforming Loan.

L

Lender Buy Down
A particular form of convertible mortgage offering a discounted interest rate at the beginning of the loan that gradually increases during the first few years of the loan. It provides lower initial payments and stable final monthly rate, but the final rate may be somewhat higher than on a standard fixed rate mortgage. See Buydown.

Liability Insurance
Insurance Protection against claims alleging negligence or an action which resulted in bodily injury or property damage to another party. It is included in most homeowner's policies.

Lien
A legal claim against a property, such as a mortgage or a workman's claim. In general, liens must be paid off prior to title transfer.

Life Cap
For and Adjustable-Rate-Mortgage (ARM), a limit on the amount that the interest rate can increase or decrease over the life of the mortgage.

Line Of Credit
An agreement to extend credit to a borrower under specified conditions. See Home Equity Line Of Credit (HELOC).

Loan
A sum of borrowed money (principal) that is generally repaid with interest.

Loan Servicing
The process of collecting and managing monthly payments. Often a separate company, a loan servicer processes the payments, sends statements, manages the escrow/impound accounts and makes sure that taxes and insurance premiums made on time.

Loan To Value (LTV) Ratio
The percentage relationship between the mount of the loan and the appraised value or sales price, whichever is lower.

Lock In
An agreement in which the lender guarantees a specified interest rate for a certain amount of time. Extended Lock-In periods usually incur an additional fee.

LTV
See Loan To Value Ratio.

M

Margin
The percentage amount added to the Index  value to establish the new interest rate at each adjustment. The margin remains constant over the life of the loan.

Market Value
The highest price that a motivated buyer would pay, and the lowest price that a motivated seller would accept on a property. Market value is not necessarily the price that a property could actually be sold for at a given time.

Maturity
The date on which the remaining balance of a load financial instrument becomes due and payable. the date the mortgage must be paid off.

Mechanic's Lien
A formal recorded claim against a property for work and materials for construction or repair of a property. Mechanic's Lien attach to both the building(s) and land.

Modification
A changes in the terms of mortgage without refinancing. Usually a reduction in the interest rate or other change that is beneficial to the borrower.

Mortgage
A formal document pledging a property as security for a loan. Not used in all states - See Deed of Trust.

Mortgage Banker
A company or an individual that originates and funds mortgages, which are then sold in the secondary market.

Mortgage Broker
An independent company or individual that originates but does not fund mortgages. A mortgage broker arranges mortgages with a variety of institutions with which they have pre-established relationships.

Mortgagee
The lender in a mortgage agreement.

Mortgage Insurance (MI)
Insurance purchased by the borrower to partially protect the lender against loss if the borrower defaults. Normally required for loans with an LTV greater than 80% (20% down). FHA loans and most first buyer programs require mortgage insurance regardless of LTV.
Insurance purchased for non-FHA loans is commonly called PMI (private Mortgage Insurance). Some large lenders self-insure and do not require the buyer to purchase PMI; however, the interest rate may be slightly higher.
Normally , mortgage insurance may be dropped when the LTV drops below 80%.

Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP)
The premium paid by a borrower either to FHA (FHA/VA loans) or to a private company for non- government insured loans.

Mortgage Life/Disability Insurance
A form of insurance where the insurance amount decreases in lock step with the remaining loan balance. It is not usually required by lenders and is relatively expensive.

Mortgagor
The borrower in a mortgage agreement.

N

Negative Amortization
A condition where the loan balance goes up, rather than down, as payments are made. if a payment is not large enough to cover the interest due the difference is added to the principal. Negative amortization can occur in certain types of adjustable rate mortgages.

No Cost Refinance
A refinance with the fees and charges added to the new mortgage amount instead of being paid up front.

Non Conforming Loan
A mortgage that does not conform to credit or other standards or to the maximum loan limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. See Jumbo Loan.

Note
A signed formal document obligating a borrower to repay a loan at a stated interest rate during a specified period of time.

Note Rate
The stated interest on a mortgage or other loan agreement.

O

Origination
The process of making a loan; the sequence of steps needed to document borrower assets and credit, property appraisal and so on.

Origination Fee
A fee charged by a lender to cover certain expenses associated with the loan origination. Usually stated as a percentage of the face value of the loan (points).

P

Party Wall
The wall between two adjoining properties, such as between apartments in a condominium.

Percolation Test
A test to determine soil seepage capacity for properties where a septic tank is in use or being considered.

Permanent Financing
A mortgage that replaces a construction loan after construction is complete.

Periodic Cap
See Caps.

Personal Property
In most States, any property that is not real property. (Definitions Vary.)

PITI
Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance. The four components that (for most homeowners) make up the monthly mortgage payment. Principal and interest are the portions of the payment assigned to repay the mortgage; the tax and insurance components are accumulated in an escrow account to make payments when they are due.

PITI reserves 
A cash amount that a borrower must have on hand after making  a down payment and paying all closing costs for the purchase of a home. The principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI) reserves must equal the amount that the borrower would have to pay for PITI for a predefined number of months.

Planned Unit Development (PUD)
A type of ownership with privately owned lots and buildings, and jointly owned common areas and facilities.

Point
A point is equal to 1 percent of the mortgage. One point on a $100,000 mortgage would be $1,000, for example. Discount Points are simply interest that is paid up-front. Most lenders offer mortgages with several combinations of points and interest rates; generally, more points means a lower interest rate, less points means a higher rate.

Pre approval
An approval for credit issued by a lender before the borrower has selected a property. Usually issued for a stated maximum loan amount and under certain conditions and assumptions regarding interest rate and other factors.

Prepayment
A fee that may be charged to a borrower who pays off a loan before it is due.

prequalification
Usually, a written opinion of the ability of a borrower to qualify for a home loan.

Prime Rate
The rate charged by the banks to their preferred customers. Often used as the index for Home Equity Credit Lines but only rarely for first mortgages.

Principal
The amount of debt, not including interest, left on a loan; the total amount of a loan before any payments are made.

Principal Balance
The remaining balance on a mortgage. The principal balance does not include interest or any other charges.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
See Mortgage Insurance (MI).

Purchase Agreement
A written contract signed by the buyer and seller stating the terms and conditions under which a property will be sold.

Purchase Money Mortgage
A mortgage used for the acquisition of a property.

PUD
See Planned Unit Development

Q

Qualifying Ratios
A measure of credit worthiness. Ratios of debt to income that are used to determine whether a borrower can qualify for a mortgage. Less important than formerly, qualification ratios are being replaced by FICO scores.

Quitclaim Deed
A deed that transfers all interest or title, if any, that a grantor may have at the time that the conveyance is made. No warranty is made.

R

Rate Lock
A commitment issued by a lender to a borrower guaranteeing a specified interest rate for a specified period of time at a specific cost. Extended lock in periods usually incur an additional fee.

Real Estate Agent
A person licensed to negotiate and transact the sale of real estate.

Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)
A law and corresponding consumer protection regulations which, among other requirements, specifies that lenders must state an Annual Percentage Rate for each loan.

Real Property
Land and all that attach with it, such as buildings, tress, minerals, easements, rights of way, all items of a permanent nature.

Realtor
A real estate agent who is an active member of a board of realtors that is affiliated with the National Association of Realtors.

Recording
A registration of the details of a property executed legal document, such as a deed, mortgage, satisfaction of mortgage, etc., thus making it a part of the public record.

Refinance
The process of paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan using the same property as security, usually, for the purpose of obtaining a lower interest rate, converting accumulated equity into cash, or both.

Remaining Balance
The amount of principal that has not been repaid.

Remaining Term
The original amortization term less the number of payments that have been applied. The number of payments yet to be made.

Replacement Reserve
Money accumulated in an escrow account to replace common property (roofing, heating unit, etc.) in a condominium or cooperative.

Revolving Debt
A credit arrangement, such as a credit card, that allows a customer to borrow against a pre-approved line of credit when purchasing goods and services. the borrower is billed for the amount that is actually borrowed plus any interest due.

Right Of First Refusal
A provision in an agreement that requires the owner of a property to offer the first opportunity to purchase a property before property before it is offered for sale to others.

Right Of Way
An easement providing access to an adjoining property.

Rollover
In current usage, the conversion of a construction loan to the permanent financing when construction is complete.

S

Satisfaction (Of A Mortgage)
An instrument provided by the lender as evidence that the loan has been paid off and the lien is satisfied. Usually it is up to the borrower to record the document to remove the lien from the public record.

Second Mortgage
A mortgage with lower rights than a first mortgage on the same property. In the event of a foreclosure, the first mortgage must be satisfied before any payment can go to the second.

Secondary Market
An infrastructure where the vast majority of mortgages are sold. Crudely, individual mortgages grouped together into large pools called Mortgage Backed Securities. Shares in MBSs are sold to investors, providing funds for more mortgages.

Settlement Statement
An statement which shows the seller's net proceeds and the buyer net payment at closing. A standard form itemizing all of the monies paid at closing, including real estate commissions, loan fees, points, and initial escrow amounts.

Subordinate Loan
Any mortgage or lien that has a priority lower than the first mortgage.

Survey
A drawing or map showing the boundaries of a property, easement, rights of way, encroachments and other limits. The process of creating or verifying a survey map, usually required by a lender prior to making a loan.

Sweat Equity
An owner's labor or services in the construction or rehabilitation of a property, instead of, or in addition to, cash.

T

Tax Deed
A deed to a property purchased at a public sale.

Tax Lien
A claim against a property for due and unpaid taxes.

Tax Sale
The sale of a property, usually under a court order, to satisfy a tax lien.

Tenancy By Entirety
In some states, a type of joint ownership of property where a husband and wife are considered as one person, essentially providing an automatic right of survivorship.

Tenancy In common
Joint ownership by two or more persons. Each person has equal rights to the property but without any right of survivorship. ownership does not pass to the others in the event of death.

Tenancy In Partnership
A form of ownership where the title is in the name of the partnership, rather than in the names of the individual partners.

Title
Detailed documentation evidencing ownership or other right to a property. In real estate, the deed.

Title Insurance
An insurance against a loss (up to a specified amount) resulting from any dispute over ownership or other title defect.

Title Search
An examination of the public title records to ensure that the seller is the owner of the property and that there are no liens or other claims outstanding.

Townhouse
A form of ownership in real property similar to a condominium or cooperative. Generally, a series of residential units which share common walls with the adjacent units, but stand on individual lots. Owner have title to the unit and lot that they occupy. The common areas and the building exteriors are owned jointly.

Transfer Tax, Transfer Fee
Fees and taxes imposed by state and local governments when title passes from one owner to another.

Treasury Index
A series of indexes which are used the basis for determining interest rate changes from many Adjustable Rate Mortgages.

Truth-In-Lending
A federal Law and supporting regulations which require lenders to fully disclose, in writing, the terms and conditions measuring an Annual Percentage Rate (APR).

Two Step Mortgage (Balloon Reset)
A form of Adjustable Rate Mortgage with a one-time rate adjustment at the end of either five of seven years. The rate then remains constant for the remaining term.

U

Underwriting
The process of verifying the documentation and analyzing the risk associated with granting a mortgage.

V

VA Mortgage
A residential mortgage made to an eligible military veteran. The loan is guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs to protect the lender against loss in the event of default.

W

Warranty Deed
A deed in which the seller guarantees that title is free and clear of encumbrances other than any stated in it the contract or deed.

Z

Zoning
Specification, by a municipal or city authority, of areas for particular purposes; the type of use (residential, commercial, etc.) allowed for a property located within a specified area.