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Glossary
Annual membership or maintenance fee
- An annual charge for having the line of credit available. Charged regardless of whether or not the line is used.
Annual percentage rate (APR)
- The cost of credit on a yearly basis expressed as a
percentage.
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Application fee
- Fees that are paid upon application. May
include charges for property appraisal and a credit report.
Balloon payment
- A lump-sum payment that may be required when the plan ends.
Cap
- A limit on how much the variable interest rate may increase during the life of the plan.
Closing costs
- Fees paid at closing, including attorneys fees, fees for preparing
and filing a mortgage, fees for title search, taxes, and insurance.
Credit limit
- The maximum amount that may be borrowed under the home equity
plan.
Equity
- The difference between the fair market value (appraised value) of the
home and the outstanding mortgage balance.
Index
- Published rate that serves as a base for the interest rate charged on a home equity line and also as the base for rate changes used by the lender.
Interest rate
- The periodic charge, expressed as a percentage, for use of credit.
Margin
- The number of percentage points the lender adds to the index rate to
determine the annual percentage rate.
Minimum payment
- The minimum amount that you must pay (usually monthly) on
your account. Under some plans, the minimum payment may cover interest only; under others, it may include both principal and interest.
Points
- One point is equal to 1 percent of the amount of the credit line. Points must usually be paid at closing and are in addition to monthly interest.
Security interest
- An interest that a lender takes in the borrower's property to
ensure repayment of a debt.
Transaction fee
- A fee charged each time you draw on your credit line.
Variable rate
- An interest rate that changes periodically in relation to an index.
Payments may increase or decrease accordingly.
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Last update: July 25, 2001
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