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Glossary of Terms
Select the first letter of the word from the list below to jump to the appropriate section of the glossary.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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- A -
- abstract of title
-
A historical summary provided by a title insurance company of
all records affecting the title to a property.
-
- acceleration clause
- A clause that allows a lender to declare the entire outstanding balance of a loan
immediately due and payable should a borrower violate specific loan provisions
or default on the loan.
-
- adjustable rate mortgage
(ARM)
- A variable or flexible rate mortgage with an interest rate that varies
according to the financial index it is based upon. To limit the borrower's risk,
the ARM may have a payment or rate cap. See also: cap.
-
- amenities
- Features of your home that fit your preferences and can increase the value
of your property. Some examples include the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, or
vicinity to public transportation.
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- amortization
- The liquidation of a debt by regular, usually monthly, installments of
principal and interest. An amortization schedule is a table showing the payment
amount, interest, principal and unpaid balance for the entire term of the loan.
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- annual cap
- See: cap.
-
- annual percentage rate
(A.P.R.)
- The actual interest rate, taking into account points and other finance
charges, for the projected life of a mortgage. Disclosure of APR is required by
the Truth-in-Lending Law and allows borrowers to compare the actual costs of
different mortgage loans.
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- appraisal
- An estimate of a property's value as of a given date, determined by a
qualified professional appraiser. The value may be based on replacement cost,
the sales of comparable properties or the property's income-producing ability.
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- appreciation
- A property's increase in value due to inflation or economic factors.
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- A.P.R.
- See: annual percentage rate.
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- ARM
- See:
adjustable rate mortgage.
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- assessment
- Charges levied against a property for tax purposes or to pay for
municipal or association improvements such as curbs, sewers, or grounds
maintenance.
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- assignment
- The transfer of a contract or a right to buy property at given rates and
terms from a mortgagee to another person.
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- assumption
- An agreement between a buyer and a seller, requiring lender approval, where
the buyer takes over the payments for a mortgage and accepts the liability.
Assuming a loan can be advantageous for a buyer because there are no closing
costs and the loan's interest rate may be lower than current market rates.
Depending on what is in the mortgage or deed of trust, the lender may raise the
interest rate, require the buyer to qualify for the mortgage, or not permit the
buyer to assume the loan at all.
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- B -
- balloon mortgage
- Mortgage with a final lump sum payment that is greater than preceding
payments and pays the loan in full.
- biweekly mortgage
- A loan requiring payments of principal and interest at two-week intervals.
This type of loan amortizes much faster than monthly payment loans. The payment
for a biweekly mortgage is half what a monthly payment would be.
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- bond
- A certificate serving as security for payment of a debt. Bonds backed by
mortgage loans are pooled together and sold in the
secondary market.
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- bridge loan
- A loan to "bridge" the gap between the termination of one mortgage and the
beginning of another, such as when a borrower purchases a new home before
receiving cash proceeds from the sale of a prior home. Also known as a swing
loan.
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- broker
- An intermediary between the borrower and the lender. The broker may
represent several lending sources and charges a fee or commission for services.
- buy-down
- A type of mortgage which requires the buyer to pay additional discount points or make a substantial down
payment in return for a below market interest rate. Another form of a buy-down is one in which the seller offers 3-2-1
interest payment plans or pays closing costs such as the origination fee. During
times of high interest rates buy-downs may induce buyers to purchase property
they might otherwise not have purchased.
-
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- C -
- cap
- A limit in how much an adjustable rate mortgage's monthly payment or
interest rate can increase. A cap is meant to protect the borrower from large
increases and may be a payment cap, an interest cap, a life-of-loan cap or an
annual cap. A payment cap is a limit on the monthly payment. An
interest cap is a limit on the amount of the interest rate. A
life-of-loan cap restricts the amount the interest rate can
increase over the entire term of the loan. An annual cap limits
the amount the interest rate can increase over a twelve-month period.
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- certificate of
reasonable value (CRV)
- A Veterans Administration appraisal that establishes the maximum VA
mortgage loan amount for a specified property.
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- certificate of title
- A document rendering an opinion on the status of a property's title based on
public records.
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- closed-end mortgage
- A mortgage principal amount that is fixed and cannot be increased during the
life of the loan. See also:
open-end mortgage.
-
- closing costs
- Costs payable by both seller and buyer at the time of settlement, when the
purchase of a property is finalized. These costs can be up to ten percent of the
mortgage amount and usually include but are not limited to the following:
Fees Paid to the Lender
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Fees Paid in Advance |
Other Charges |
Origination fee Discount points Credit report
fee Appraisal fee Assumption fee if loan
is assumed
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Interest
from the closing date to the beginning of the 1st
payment Hazard insurance
premium Mortgage insurance premium
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Title search and title insurance Sales
commissions Legal and recording
fees Inspection and survey fees Property
taxes and other adjustments Processing and document
preparation fees
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- cloud
- A claim to the title of a property that, if valid, would prevent a purchaser
from obtaining a clear title.
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- collateral
- Something of value pledged as security for a loan. In mortgage lending the
property itself serves as collateral for a mortgage loan.
-
- commitment fee
- A fee charged when a) an agreement is reached between a lender and a borrower
for a loan at a specific rate and points and b) the lender guarantees to lock in
that rate.
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- co-mortgagor
- One who is individually and jointly obligated to repay a mortgage loan and
shares ownership of the property with one or more borrowers. See also:
co-signer.
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- condominium
- An individually owned unit within a multi-unit building where others or the
Condominium Owners Association share ownership of common areas such as
grounds, parking facilities and tennis courts.
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- conforming loan
- A loan that conforms to Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) guidelines.
- See also: non-conforming
loan.
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- construction loan
- A short-term loan financing improvements to real estate, such as the
building of a new home. The lender advances funds to the borrower as needed
while construction progresses. Upon completion of the construction the borrower
must obtain permanent financing or repay the construction loan in full.
-
- consumer handbook on
adjustable rate mortgages (C.H.A.R.M.)
- A disclosure required by the federal government to be given to any borrower
applying for an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM).
-
- conventional loan
- A mortgage loan that is not insured, guaranteed or funded by the Veterans
Administration (VA), the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or Rural Economic
Community Development (RECD) (formerly Farmers Home Administration).
-
- convertible mortgage
- An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) that allows a
borrower to switch to a fixed-rate mortgage at a specified point in the loan
term.
-
- co-signer
- A person who is obligated to repay a mortgage loan should the borrower default
but who does not share ownership in the property. See also:
co-mortgagor.
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- covenants
- Rules and restrictions governing the use of property.
-
- CRV
- See:
certificate of reasonable value.
- curtailments
- The borrower's privilege to make payments on a loan's principal before they
are due. Paying off a mortgage before it is due may incur a penalty if so
specified in the mortgage's prepayment clause.
-
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- D -
- debt
- Money owed to repay someone.
-
- debt-to-income ratio
- The ratio between a borrower's monthly payment obligations divided by his or
her net effective income (FHA or VA loans) or gross monthly income (conventional
loans).
-
- deed
- The legal document that transfers the ownership of real property from one party to another.
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- deed of trust
- A document, used in many states in place of a mortgage, held by a trustee pending repayment of the
loan. The advantage of a deed of trust is that the trustee does not have to go
to court to proceed with foreclosure should the borrower default on the loan.
-
- Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD)
- The U.S. government agency that administers FHA, GNMA and other housing
programs.
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- discount points
- A percentage of the loan amount paid to the lender to buy down the interest rate.
Each point is one percent of the loan amount; for example, two points on a
$100,000 mortgage is $2,000.
-
- down payment
- The difference between the purchase price and mortgage amount. The down
payment becomes the property equity. Typically it comes from cash savings, but it
can also be a gift that is not to be repaid or a borrowed amount secured by
assets.
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- due-on-sale
- A clause in a mortgage or deed of trust allowing a lender to require
immediate payment of the balance of the loan if the property is sold (subject to
the terms of the security instrument).
-
- duplex
- A dwelling divided into two units.
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- E -
- earnest money
- A deposit in the form of cash or a note given to a seller by a buyer as good
faith assurance that the buyer intends to go through with the purchase of a
property.
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- easement
- The right one party has in regard to the property of another, such as the
right of a public utility company to lay lines.
-
- Equal Credit Opportunity
Act
- A federal law prohibiting lenders and other creditors from discrimination
based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital status,
receipt of public assistance or because an applicant has exercised his or her
rights under the Consumer Credit Protection Act.
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- equity
- The value of a property beyond any
liens against it. Also referred to as owner's interest.
-
- escape clause
- A provision allowing one party or more to cancel all or part of the contract
if certain events fail to happen, such as the ability of the buyer to obtain
financing within a specified period.
-
- escrow
- Money placed with a third party for safekeeping either for final closing on
a property or for payment of taxes and insurance throughout the year.
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- F -
- fair market value
- The price a property can realistically sell for, based upon comparable
selling prices of other properties in the same area.
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- Fannie Mae
- Nickname for Federal National
Mortgage Association (FNMA).
-
- Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation (FHLMC or Freddie Mac)
- A quasi-governmental, federally-sponsored organization that acts as a secondary market
investor to buy and sell mortgage loans. FHLMC sets many of the guidelines for
conventional mortgage loans, as does FNMA.
-
- Federal Housing
Administration (FHA)
- An agency within the Department of Housing and Urban Development that sets
underwriting standards and insures residential mortgage loans made by
private lenders. One of FHA's objectives is to help make affordable mortgages available to
homeowners with low or moderate income. FHA loans may be high loan-to-value, and they
are limited by loan amount. FHA mortgage insurance requires a fee of 1.5 percent
of the loan amount to be paid at closing, as well as an annual fee of 0.5
percent of the loan amount added to each monthly payment.
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- Federal National Mortgage
Association (FNMA or Fannie Mae)
- A private corporation that acts as a secondary market investor to buy and sell mortgage
loans. FNMA sets many of the guidelines for conventional mortgage loans, as does
FHLMC. The major purpose of this organization is to make mortgage money more
affordable and more available.
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- fee simple
- The maximum form of ownership, with the right to occupy a property and sell
it to a buyer at any time. Upon the death of the owner, the property goes to the
owner's designated heirs. Also known as fee absolute.
-
- FHA
- See: Federal Housing
Administration.
-
- fifteen-year mortgage
- A loan with a term of 15 years. Although the monthly payment on a 15-year
mortgage is higher than that of a 30-year mortgage, the amount of interest paid
over the life of the loan is substantially less.
-
- fixed-rate mortgage
- A mortgage whose rate remains constant throughout the life of the mortgage.
-
- flood insurance
- A form of insurance that protects the owner of the insured property against losses stemming from flood damage. The Federal Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 requires that
federally-regulated lenders determine if real estate to be used to secure a loan
is located in a Specially Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). If the property is located
in a SFHA area, the borrower must obtain and maintain flood insurance on the
property. Most insurance agents can assist in obtaining flood insurance.
-
- FNMA
- See: Federal National Mortgage
Association.
-
- Freddie Mac
- Nickname for Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC).
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- G -
- gift
- A sum of money, including amounts from a relative or a grant from the borrower's
employer, a municipality, non-profit religious organization, or non-profit
community organization that does not have to be repaid.
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- Ginnie Mae
- Nickname for Government National
Mortgage Association (GNMA).
-
- good faith estimate
- The estimate on closing costs and monthly mortgage payments provided by a
lender to the homebuyer within 3 days of applying for a loan.
-
- Government National Mortgage
Association (GNMA or Ginnie Mae)
- A government organization that participates in the
secondary market,
securitizing pools of FHA, VA, and RHS loans.
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- graduated payment mortgage
(GPM)
- A fixed-interest loan with lower payments in the early years than in the later
years. The amount of the payment gradually increases over a period of time and
then levels off at a payment sufficient to pay off the loan over the remaining
amortization period.
-
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- H -
- hazard insurance
- A form of insurance that protects the owner of the insured property against losses from physical
damage such as fire and tornadoes. Mortgage lenders often require a borrower to
maintain an amount of hazard insurance on the property that is equal at least to
the amount of the mortgage loan.
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- home equity loan
- A mortgage on the borrower's principal residence, usually for the purpose of
making home improvements or debt consolidation.
-
- home inspection
- A thorough review of the physical aspects and condition of a home by a
professional home inspector. This inspection should be completed prior to
closing so that any repairs or changes can be completed before the transfer of the home is completed.
-
- homeowners insurance
- A form of insurance that protects the owner of the insured property against loss from
theft, liability and most common disasters.
-
- Housing and Urban Development
(HUD)
- The U.S. government agency that administers FHA, GNMA and other housing
programs.
-
- housing affordability
index
- An index that indicates what proportion of homebuyers can afford to buy an average-priced
home in specified areas. The most well known housing affordability index is
published by the National Association of Realtors.
-
- housing expenses-to-income
ratio
- See: debt-to-income
ratio.
-
- HUD
- See: Housing and Urban
Development.
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- I -
- income approach to value
- A method used by real estate appraisers to predict a property's anticipated
future income. Income property includes shopping centers, hotels, motels,
restaurants, apartment buildings, office space, etc.
-
- income-to-debt ratio>
- See: debt-to-income
ratio.
-
- index
- A published interest rate compiled from other indicators such as U.S.
Treasury bills or the monthly average interest rate on loans closed by savings
and loan organizations. Mortgage lenders use the index figure to establish rates
on adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs).
-
- insurance
- As a part of PITI, the amount of the monthly mortgage payment that
does not include the principal, interest, and taxes.
-
- Also see: homeowners
insurance.
-
- interest
- The amount of the entire mortgage loan which does not include the
principal. Also, as a part of PITI, the amount of the monthly mortgage
payment which does not include the principal, taxes, and insurance.
-
- interest cap
- See: cap
-
- interest rate
- The simple interest rate, stated as a percentage, charged by a lender on the
principal amount of borrowed money. See also:
Annual Percentage
Rate.
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- J -
- joint tenancy
- See: tenancy.
-
- jumbo loan
- A nonconforming loan that is larger than the limits set by the Federal
National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
(FHLMC) guidelines.
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- K -
- key lot
- Real estate deemed highly valuable because of its location.
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- L -
- lien
- A claim against a property for the payment of a debt. A mortgage is a lien;
other types of liens a property might have include a tax lien for overdue taxes
or a mechanic's lien for unpaid debt to a subcontractor.
-
- life-of-loan cap
- See: cap.
-
- liquidity
- The ease with which an asset can be converted into cash.
-
- loan discount
- See: points.
-
- loan origination fee
- See: origination
fee.
-
- loan-to-value ratio
(LTV)
- The relationship, expressed as a percentage, between the amount of the
proposed loan and a property's appraised value. For example, a $75,000 loan on a
property appraised at $100,000 is a 75% loan-to-value ratio.
-
- lock-in
- The guaranty of a specific interest rate and/or points for a specific
period of time. Some lenders will charge a fee for locking in an interest rate.
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- M -
- maintenance costs
- The cost of the upkeep of the house. These costs may be minor in cost and
nature (replacing washers in the faucets) or major in cost and nature (new
heating system or a new roof) and can apply to either the interior or exterior
of the house.
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- margin
- The amount a lender adds to the index of an adjustable rate mortgage to
establish an adjusted interest rate. For example, a margin of 1.50 added to a 7
percent index establishes an adjusted interest rate of 8.50 percent.
-
- market value
- The price a property can realistically sell for, based upon comparable
selling prices of other properties in the same geographical area.
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- modification
- A change in the terms of the mortgage note, such as a reduction in the
interest rate or a change in maturity date.
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- mortgage
- A legal instrument in which property serves as security for the repayment of
a loan. In some states, a deed of
trust is used rather than a mortgage.
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- mortgage banker
- A lender that originates, closes, services and sells mortgage loans to the
secondary market.
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- mortgage broker
- An intermediary between a borrower and a lender. A mortgage broker's expertise lies in
helping borrowers find financing that they might not otherwise find themselves.
-
- mortgage insurance
- Money paid to insure the lender against loss due to foreclosure or loan
default. Mortgage insurance is required on conventional loans with less than a
20 percent down payment. FHA mortgage insurance requires a payment of 1.5
percent of the loan amount to be paid at closing, as well as an annual fee of
0.5 percent of the loan amount added to each monthly payment.
-
- mortgage interest
- The interest rate charge for borrowing the money for the mortgage. It is used
to calculate the interest payment on the mortgage each month.
-
- mortgage term
- The length of time that a mortgage is scheduled to exist. Example: a 30-year
mortgage term is for 30 years.
-
- mortgagee
- The lender.
-
- mortgagor
- The borrower.
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- N -
- negative amortization
- A situation in which a borrower is paying less interest than what is
actually being charged for a mortgage loan. The unpaid interest is added to the
loan's principal. The borrower may end up owing more than the original amount of
the mortgage.
-
- non-assumption clause
- In a mortgage contract, a statement that prohibits a new buyer from assuming
a mortgage loan without the approval of the lender.
-
- non-conforming loan
- A loan that does not conform to Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA)
or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) guidelines. Jumbo loans are
nonconforming.
- See also: conforming
loan.
-
- note
- A signed document that acknowledges a debt and shows the borrower is
obligated to pay it.
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- O -
- open-end mortgage
- A mortgage allowing the borrower to receive advances of principal from the
lender during the life of the loan. See also:
closed-end mortgage.
-
- origination fee
- The amount charged by a lender to originate and close a mortgage loan.
Origination fees are usually expressed in
points.
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- P -
- payment cap
- See: cap.
-
- P&I
- Abbreviation for principal and interest.
- PITI
- Abbreviation for principal, interest, taxes and insurance.
-
- PITIO
- Abbreviation for principal, interest, taxes, insurance and other monthly non-housing costs.
-
- points
- Charges levied by the lender based on the loan amount. Each point equals one
percent of the loan amount; for example, two points on a $100,000 mortgage equals
$2,000. Discount points are used to buy down the interest rate. Points can also
include a loan origination fee, which is usually one point.
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- pre-qualification
- Tentative establishment of a borrower's qualification for a mortgage loan
amount of a specific range, based on the borrower's assets, debts, income, employment status and credit history.
-
- prime rate
- The interest rate commercial banks charge their most creditworthy customers.
-
- principal
- The amount of the entire mortgage loan, not counting interest. Also,
as a part of PITI, the amount of the monthly mortgage payment which does
not include the interest, insurance, and taxes.
-
- private mortgage insurance
(PMI)
- See: mortgage
insurance.
-
- property appraisal
- See: appraisal.
-
- property tax
- The amount which the state and/or locality assesses as a tax on a piece of
property.
-
- prorate
- To proportionally divide amounts owed by the buyer and the seller at
closing.
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- Q -
- qualification
- As determined by a lender, the ability of the borrower to repay a mortgage
loan based on the borrower's credit history, employment status, assets, debts
and income.
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- R -
- rate cap
- See: cap.
-
- RESPA
- Abbreviation for the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. This act allows
consumers to review settlement costs at application and once again prior to
closing.
-
- reverse annuity
mortgage
- A type of mortgage loan in which the lender makes periodic payments to the
borrower. The borrower's equity in the home is used as security for the loan.
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- RHCDS
- Rural Housing and Community Service
-
- right of first refusal
- The right to purchase a property under conditions and terms made by another buyer and
accepted by the seller.
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- right of rescission
- The right to back out of a transaction, given automatically by law to the borrower in a real estate purchase transaction.
When a borrower's principal dwelling is going to secure a loan, the borrower
has three business days following signing of the loan documents to rescind or
cancel the transaction. Any and all money paid by the borrower must be refunded
upon rescission. The right to rescind does not apply to loans to purchase real
estate or to refinance a loan under the same terms and conditions where no
additional funds will be added to the existing loan.
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- rollover
- The process by which a construction loan becomes a mortgage. At the end of the construction loan period, the borrower's file is delivered
to Bank One Mortgage Loan Servicing Dept. Prior to delivery, CLD contacts the
borrower and obtains funds for the tax and insurance escrows, a final title
policy and homeowner's policy. This process is called a rollover.
-
- Rural Housing and Community Development
Service
- A federal agency that administers mortgage loans for buyers in rural areas.
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- S -
- second mortgage
- A loan that is junior to a primary or first mortgage and often has a higher
interest rate and a shorter term.
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- secondary market
- A market comprising investors like GNMA, FHLMC and FNMA, who buy large
numbers of mortgages from the primary lenders and resell them to other investors.
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- servicing
- The responsibility of collecting monthly mortgage payments and properly
crediting them to the principal, taxes and insurance, as well as keeping the
borrower informed of any changes in the status of the loan.
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- settlement costs
- See: closing costs.
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- survey
- A physical measurement of property done by a registered professional showing
the dimensions and location of any buildings as well as easements, rights of
way, roads, etc.
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- T -
- tax deed
- A written document conveying title to property repossessed by the government
due to default on tax payments.
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- tax savings
- The deduction a taxpayer can take on their tax form for interest paid on a home mortgage. The amount of money that the homeowner is not required to pay the government
in taxes because he or she owns a home.
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- taxes
- As a part of PITI, the amount of the monthly mortgage payment which
does not include the principal, interest, and insurance.
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- tenancy
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- joint tenancy - equal ownership of property by two or more
parties, each with the right of survivorship.
- tenancy by the entireties - ownership of property only
between husband and wife in which neither can sell without the consent of the
other and the property is owned by the survivor in the event of death of either
party.
- tenancy in common - equal ownership of property by two or
more parties without the right of survivorship.
- tenancy in severalty - ownership of property by one legal
entity or a sole party.
- tenancy at will - a license to use or occupy a property at
the will of the owner.
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- title
- A formal document establishing ownership of property.
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- title insurance
- A policy issued by a title insurance company insuring the purchaser against
any losses resulting from errors in the title search. The cost of title insurance may be paid for by
the buyer, the seller or both.
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- trust deed
- See: deed of trust.
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- Truth In Lending Act
- The Truth In Lending Act requires lenders to disclose the Annual Percentage
Rate and other associated costs to homebuyers within three working days of the
loan application.
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- U -
- underwriter
- A professional who approves or denies a loan to a potential homebuyer based
on the homebuyer's credit history, employment status, assets, debts and other
factors such as loan guidelines.
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- Uniform Settlement
Statement
- A standard document prescribed by the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
containing information for closing which must be supplied to both buyer and
seller.
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- utility costs
- Periodic housing costs for water, electricity, natural gas, heating oil,
etc.
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- V -
- VA loan
- See: Veterans
Administration.
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- variable rate mortgage
(VRM)
- See:
adjustable rate mortgage.
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- Veterans Administration
(VA)
- The federal agency responsible for the VA loan guaranty program as well as
other services for eligible veterans. In general, qualified veterans can apply
for home loans with no down payment and a funding fee of 1 percent of the loan
amount.
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- W -
- walk-through
- An inspection of a property by the prospective buyer prior to closing on a
mortgage.
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- warranty deed
- A document protecting a homebuyer against any and all claims to the
property.
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- Y -
- yield
- The rate of earnings from an investment.
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- Z -
- zoning
- The ability of local governments to specify the use of private property in
order to control development within designated areas of land. For example, some
areas of a neighborhood may be designated only for residential use and others
for commercial use such as stores, gas stations, etc.
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