Real Estate Terms

The right of the mortgagee (lender) to demand the immediate repayment of the mortgage loan balance upon the default of the mortgagor (borrower), or by using the right vested in the Due-on-Sale Clause. This latter is, of course, the opposite of the Santa Claus.

A payment made by a borrower of more than the scheduled principal amount due. You might do this if you want to more quickly reduce the remaining balance owed.

A mortgage in which the interest rate is adjusted periodically based on a preselected index. Also sometimes known as the renegotiable rate mortgage, the variable rate mortgage or the Canadian rollover mortgage.

The Canadian rollover is not to be confused with the flying scissors kick, the body slam, or the half-nelson, which are wrestling terms.

The original cost of a property, plus the value of any capital expenditures for improvements, minus any depreciation.

The date on which the interest rate changes for an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM).

On an adjustable rate mortgage, the time between changes in the interest rate and/or monthly payment — typically one, three or five years, depending on the index.

A detailed analysis of your ability to buy a home. This includes your income, holdings, and debts. It may also include the type of mortgage you plan to use, the location of the home, and your closing costs.

A nice feature of the house, but something which isn’t crucial to the house’s very existence. A roof, for instance, is not an amenity; it’s a necessity. An amenity might be a lovely view of the sunset over the ocean, or a swimming pool or tennis court.

The period of time during which you will owe interest and principal to your lender.

Regular loan payments calculated to pay off the debt at the end of a fixed period, including accrued interest on the outstanding balance.

A schedule that provides a breakdown of the principal and interest payments, and the amount outstanding at any given point during the amortization period.

To repay a mortgage with regular payments, both the principal due and the interest.

An amount that is charged annually for having the line of credit available. It is charged regardless of whether or not you use the line.

An interest rate reflecting the cost of a mortgage as a yearly rate.

This rate is likely to be higher than the stated note rate or advertised rate on the mortgage, because it takes into account points and other credit costs. The APR allows home buyers to compare different types of mortgages based on the annual cost for each loan.

A form used to apply for a loan, on which you’ll put relevant information about yourself. Also refers to the whole process of applying for a loan. Or, for that matter, of applying to college (but that’s a different story entirely).

An estimate of the value of the property, made by a qualified professional called an “appraiser”. An appraisal is required by your bank to determine how much money it will lend you.

An opinion of a property’s fair market value, given by an appraiser, whose job it is to evaluate such things.

An increase in the value of a property due to changes in market conditions, or for other reasons. The opposite of depreciation.

A local tax levied against a property for a specific purpose, such as a sewer or street lights.

The public record of taxable property. Not something you eat with butter and jam.

A public official who establishes the value of a property for purposes of taxation.

Anything with a dollar value that you own. Your assets are tallied up when the bank is trying to figure out what it can afford to lend you.

The transfer of a mortgage from one individual to another. This isn’t always allowed.

A mortgage (on a home) that can be taken over by the buyer of the home.

The agreement between buyer and seller in which the buyer takes over the payments on an existing mortgage from the seller.

Assuming a loan can usually save the buyer money, since this is an existing mortgage debt, unlike a new mortgage where closing costs as well as new, possibly higher, market-rate interest charges may apply.

Fee usually paid by the buyer to a lender if the buyer assumes, or takes on, an existing mortgage.

The amount you pay in monthly debt (credit cards, student loans, etc.) divided by your gross monthly income.

Usually a short-term fixed-rate loan which involves small payments for a certain period of time, and one large payment for the remaining amount of the principal at a time specified in the contract.

An improvement that increases property value, as distinct from repairs that simply maintain value. It’s an upgrade, not just upkeep.

A written document that transfers title to the property.

A preliminary agreement, secured by an earnest money deposit, through which the buyer offers to purchase the home.

A mortgage that requires payments to be made every two weeks (instead of monthly).

A mortgage covering at least two pieces of real estate as security for the same mortgage.

Payments placed in an osterizer and mixed until all the lumps are gone. Er… just kidding. Actually, it’s a repayment method by which the same amount is paid each month, but the composition of the interest and principal changes with each payment. With each payment, the amount allocated to the principal increases as the amount allocated to interest decreases.

Most mortgages use blended payments because it provides a consistent monthly payment amount for the borrower.

The attempt to induce someone to sell their home because someone from a protected class is rumored to be moving into the neighborhood. The classic example of this would be a real estate agent passing out her card to neighbors while telling them that a minority family is moving in down the block and they should sell now before the neighborhood gets any worse. This is illegal.

In good faith, real, not fraudulent. We think this is a Latin phrase, but it may also have something to do with a dog.

One who applies for and receives a loan in the form of a mortgage, with the intention of repaying the loan in full.

If you don’t have the intention to repay the loan, then there are other terms that you might not want to see applied to you: crook, deadbeat, scam artist, fugitive from justice, etc.

A violation of any legal obligation. Not to be confused with Henry V — “Once more unto the breach, dear friends!”

1) an individual in the business of helping to arrange funding or negotiating contracts for a client, but who does not loan the money himself. This is a mortgage broker; mortgage brokers usually charge a fee or receive a commission for their services.

2) Someone who helps you find a house and charges a fee for their services as well. This is a real estate broker; the term is usually synonymous with real estate agent, although there are, technically, differences.

Local regulations having to do with design and construction of a building. This means, of course, that it’s not OK to build a house made of oatmeal, no matter what that builder may tell you.

The lender and/or the home builder subsidize the mortgage by lowering the interest rate during the first few years of the loan. While the payments are initially low, they will increase when the subsidy expires.

We’re not talking stocks here. It’s a clause your mortgage that gives the lender the right to ‘call’ the mortgage due and payable at the end of a given length of time, for whatever reason. In other words, you’ve got to come up with all the money owed at that time, and repay the lender.

The cost of an improvement made either to lengthen the useful life of a property or to add value to it. It’s a fancy term for the money you pony up for improvements. See also capital improvement.

Any structure which is a permanent improvement to the property.

Consumer safeguards which limit the amount that the interest rate on an adjustable rate mortgage may change per year and/or during the life of the loan.

Consumer safeguards which limit the amount that monthly payments on an adjustable rate mortgage may change.

The amount of cash derived over a certain period of time from an income-producing property. The cash flow should be large enough to pay the expenses of the income-producing property (including mortgage payment, maintenance, utilities, etc.)

The document given to qualified veterans which entitles them to VA guaranteed loans for homes, business, and mobile homes. 

Certificates of eligibility may be obtained by sending DD-214 (Separation Paper) to the local VA office with VA form 1880 (request for Certificate of Eligibility.

an appraisal issued by the Veterans Administration showing the property’s current market value.

A statement which confirms that the title to the house is legally held by the current owner. This is important, because you don’t want to buy something from someone who doesn’t really own it, now do you?

the document given to veterans or reservists who have served 90 days of continuous active duty (including training time).

It may be obtained by sending DD-214 to the local VA office with form 26-8261a (request for certificate of veteran status). This document enables veterans to obtain lower down payments on certain FHA-insured loans.

The history of all of the documents that transfer title to a a piece of real estate. Think of it as being a genealogy for the home since it was built.

The frequency of payment and/or interest rate changes in an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). Generally expressed in months.

Another name for personal property. You’ve probably heard the expression ‘goods and chattels.’ Meet ‘chattels.’

A title that is free of liens. You’ve probably heard of ‘you own it free and clear.’ Meet ‘clear.’ See also cloud on title.

the meeting between the buyer, seller and lender or their agents at which the property and funds legally change hands. Also called ‘settlement.’ See also Closing Costs.

Expenses incurred by buyers and sellers in transferring ownership of a property. These may include an origination fee, taxes, the costs of obtaining title insurance, transfer fees, etc. They can often total several, or many, thousands of dollars.

anything found by the title search which indicates that the property is not owned free and clear by the purported owner.

This can take you right off Cloud Nine.

An asset (such as a car or a home) that can be used to guarantee the repayment of a loan. You, the borrower, risk losing that asset if the loan is not repaid in a timely fashion.

The process of forcing a borrower to pay what he owes on a loan and,if it comes to that, to proceed with foreclosure.

A promise by a lender to make a loan, on specific terms or conditions, to a borrower or builder. It can also be a promise by an investor to purchase mortgages from a lender with specific terms or conditions.

It can also be the agreement (or, in its absence, the refusal) to engage in a long-term relationship with someone with whom you may or may not be in love. There are no easy answers here. However (OK, we’ll continue this digression) you might consider the old 80/20 rule: if it’s really good 80% of the time, it’s probably love, and you might as well commit.

No, these aren’t free tickets to your favorite team’s game. The word is short for “comparable properties” — properties which have recently sold that are about the same size, in the same area, with similar amenities. These help both you and the appraiser figure out what your home ought to be worth.

A building or group of buildings in which each unit owner has title to a specific unit. They may also have the exclusive use of certain common areas. See Also co-op.

A loan to provide the funds necessary to pay for the construction of buildings or homes. The lender advances funds to the builder at periodic intervals as the work progresses.

A specified condition that must be met before a contract is legally binding. The two most common contingencies in home purchasing are that 1) the house must pass the home inspection, and 2) the borrower must get the loan.

A mortgage not insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the VA.

A clause in certain adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) which permit the borrower to switch to a fixed-rate mortgage at specified time. Not to be confused with Mustang Convertible.

The residents of this type of housing complex own shares in the cooperative corporation that owns the property, and each has the right to occupy a specific dwelling. They don’t actually own the dwelling; they own shares in the corporation.

The weighted-average cost of savings, borrowings, and advances of the 11th District members of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. It’s an index used, not surprisingly, for the type of ARMs known as COFI loans. It’s a slow-moving index, but often these types of ARMs have no caps.

The maximum amount that you can borrow.

A report documenting the credit history and current status of a borrower’s credit standing.

If there are debts you owe which you never paid, or times in which you’ve been delinquent in paying, these items will presumably show up on your credit report and can hurt your chances of getting approved for a loan.

The ratio, expressed as a percentage, which results when a borrower’s monthly payment obligation on long-term debts is divided by his or her net effective income (FHA/VA loans) or gross monthly income (conventional loans). See housing expenses-to-income ratio.

In many states, this document is used in place of a mortgage to secure the payment of a note.

Failure to meet legal obligations in a contract; specifically, failure to make the monthly payments on a mortgage. If this happens, you can end up losing the house.

When a mortgage is written with a monthly payment that is less than required to satisfy the note rate, the unpaid interest is deferred by adding it to the loan balance. See also negative amortization.

Failure to make payments on time. This can lead to foreclosure.

An independent agency of the federal government which guarantees long-term, low-or no-down payment mortgages to eligible veterans.

A decline in the value of property over time.

Any printed or published material that uses words, no matter how subtle, that are of a discriminatory nature aren’t allowed by HUD. Some of the examples that HUD gives are “adult building, Jewish home, restricted, private, integrated, or traditional.”

Money paid to make up the difference between the purchase price and the mortgage amount. Down payments usually are 10 percent to 20 percent of the sales price on conventional loans.

A clause inserted in a mortgage that allows the lender, at its option, to call the loan due and payable upon the transfer of the property.

Also known as “paragraph 17” in FNMA/FHLMC mortgages.

A provision in a mortgage or deed of trust that allows the lender to demand immediate payment of the balance of the mortgage if the mortgage holder sells the home.

Money given by a buyer to a seller as part of the purchase price, in order to bind a transaction or to assure payment.

A right of way giving people other than the owner access to a property. If there is one of these on the house you’re considering, make sure you understand what it is, or you may have troops of 1953 alien-landing devotees plodding through your back yard on the way to that sacred corn field just next door.

1) An improvement that intrudes illegally on someone else’s property. 2) defensive lineman getting overanxious in a football game.

Anything which limits the title to a property, such as leases, mortgages, easements, or other restrictions.

The VA home loan benefit is known as entitlement. It is also known as eligibility.

A federal law that requires lenders and other creditors to make credit equally available without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status or receipt of income from public assistance programs.

The value an owner has in real estate over and above the obligation against the property. In other words, that portion of the property which the owner actually owns, having already paid for it. (It’s also referred to as the owner’s interest.)

If a homeowner owns a house valued at $200,000.00 and has a mortgage of $50,000.00, the homeowner’s equity is $150,000.00 (the value less the mortgage). As the value of the house increases or decreases, the homeowner’s equity increases or decreases accordingly. The lender’s equity is always equal to the value of the outstanding loan.

Funds that are set aside and held in trust, usually for payment of taxes and insurance on real property.

(see Federal National Mortgage Association)

Organization which provides financing to farmers and other qualified borrowers who are unable to obtain loans elsewhere.

A regulatory and supervisory agency for federally chartered savings institutions.

A quasi-governmental agency that purchases conventional mortgage from insured depository institutions and HUD-approved mortgage bankers.

A division of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Its main activity is the insuring of residential mortgage loans made by private lenders. FHA also sets standards for underwriting mortgages.

A tax-paying corporation created by Congress that purchases and sells conventional residential mortgages as well as those insured by FHA or guaranteed by VA. This institution, which provides funds for one in seven mortgages, makes mortgage money more available and more affordable.

a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration, open to all qualified home purchasers. While there are limits to the size of FHA loans, they are generous enough to handle moderately priced homes almost anywhere in the country.

a way of insuring an FHA loan, this insurance requires a small fee (up to 3.8 percent of the loan amount) paid at closing, or a portion of this fee added to each monthly payment of an FHA loan.

On a 9.5 percent $75,000 30-year fixed rate FHA loan, this fee would amount to either $2,850 at closing or an extra $31 a month for the life of the loan. In addition, FHA mortgage insurance requires an annual fee of 0.5 percent of the current loan amount, paid in monthly installments. The lower the down payment, the more years the fee must be paid.

The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation provides a secondary market for savings and loans by purchasing their conventional loans. Also known as “Freddie Mac.”

The agreement by a lender to make a loan to a specific borrower for a specific property.

A promise by FHA to insure a mortgage loan for a specified property and borrower. A promise from a lender to make a mortgage loan.

The mortgage which is the primary lien against a property.

A mortgage on which the interest rate is set for the term of the loan, regardless of future interest rate fluctuations. This makes payments precisely predictable, but it is not always the cheapest alternative.

A legal process by which the lender or the seller forces a sale of a mortgaged property because the borrower has not met the terms of the mortgage. Also known as a repossession of property.

See FHMLC, or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

Your prospective monthly mortgage payments divided by your gross monthly income. This comes out to a percentage, and a lender uses this percentage to get an idea of how much of your income will be going to pay your loan. If they like the number (say, below 29%) then they will be more inclined to sell you the loan.

(see Government National Mortgage Association)

A mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Rural Housing Service (RHS).

Provides sources of funds for residential mortgage, insured or guaranteed by FHA or VA.

A type of flexible-payment mortgage where the payments increase for a specified period of time and then level off. This type of mortgage has negative amortization built into it.

A mortgage that is guaranteed by a third party.

Another term for ‘government mortgage.

A promise by one party to pay a debt or perform an obligation contracted by another if the original party fails to pay or perform according to a contract.

a form of insurance in which the insurance company protects the insured from specified losses, such as fire, windstorm and the like.

A loan against the amount of equity you may have in a property.

A complete and thorough inspection of the physical condition of a property, including all major systems and structural elements. It’s conducted by someone who knows what to look for, and who will inform you of what he finds. If he turns up something you don’t like and which the seller refuses to repair, you don’t proceed with the purchase of the home.

An insurance policy, required when you take ownership, that combines personal liability insurance and hazard insurance for the home as well as its contents.

A warranty which will cover repairs to specified parts of a house for a specific period of time. It is provided by the seller (or, if the place is new, the builder) as a condition of the sale.

A market in which houses are selling fast. Otherwise known as a ‘seller’s market’ — the seller is going to sell their house at very close to the asking price, since there’s a lot of demand.

the ratio, expressed as a percentage, which results when a borrower’s housing expenses are divided by his/her net effective income (FHA/VA loans) or gross monthly income (conventional loans). See debt-to-income ratio.

A document which sets forth an itemized listing of whatever costs must be paid at closing, such as real estate commissions, loan fees, points, and initial escrow amounts. It’s also known as the “closing statement” or “settlement sheet.”

That portion of a borrower’s monthly payments held by the lender or servicer to pay for taxes, hazard insurance, mortgage insurance, lease payments, and other items as they become due. Also known as reserves.

a published interest rate against which lenders measure the difference between the current interest rate on an adjustable rate mortgage and that earned by other investments.

These other investments may include one-, three-, and five-year U.S. Treasury security yields, the monthly average interest rate on loans closed by savings and loan institutions, and the monthly average costs-of-funds incurred by savings and loans. This information is then used to adjust the interest rate on an adjustable mortgage up or down.

The interest rate of the mortgage at the time of closing. This rate will change for an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). Also known as the “start rate” or “teaser.”

The amount of money, expressed as a percentage of the principal, charged for the use of the money borrowed.

If the closing (the date on which the buyer takes possession of the property) occurs at a time of the month other than the date on which the mortgage payment is due, the borrower will pay an amount to cover interest from the “interest adjustment date.”

For an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), the maximum rate to which your loan can climb.

For an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), the minimum interest rate to which your loan can sink.

A construction loan made during completion of a building or a project. A permanent loan usually replaces this loan after completion of the project.

A money source for a lender.

A loan which is larger than the limits set by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Because jumbo loans cannot be funded by these two agencies, they usually carry a higher interest rate.

The penalty that must be paid by the borrower when a payment is late. This must be spelled out; make sure you know when you would incur such a charge.

A financing option for low- and moderate-income home buyers, by which they can lease a home, with an option to buy, from a nonprofit organization. Each month’s rent payment consists of principal, interest, taxes and insurance, plus an extra amount that is sent to a savings account in order to accumulate money for a down payment.

A claim upon a piece of property for the payment or satisfaction of a debt or obligation.

The price at which the house is listed; the asking price.

The relationship between the amount of the mortgage loan and the appraised value of the property expressed as a percentage.

A written agreement from the lender to offer a specified interest rate if the mortgage goes to closing within a set period of time.

The amount a lender adds to the index on an adjustable rate mortgage to establish the adjusted interest rate.

The highest price that a buyer would pay and the lowest price a seller would accept on a property. Market value may be different from the price a property could actually be sold for at a given time.

The date on which the principal balance of a loan is due and payable.

The minimum amount that you must pay (usually monthly).

A legal contract that is registered against the title to a property in order to guarantee that a loan will be repaid.

A company or loan officer at a bank that originates mortgages for resale in the secondary mortgage market.

A person or company that offers loans to borrowers from numerous sources; they’re generally paid a commission for their services.

Money paid to insure the mortgage when the down payment is less than 20 percent. See private mortgage insurance, FHA mortgage insurance.

The one-half percent borrowers pay each month on FHA insured mortgage loans. It is insurance from FHA to the lender against incurring a loss on account of the borrower’s default. On September 1, 1983, the MIP was changed to a one-time charge to the borrowers.

The lender.

The borrower or homeowner.

Something which occurs when your monthly payments are not large enough to pay all the interest due on the loan. This unpaid interest is added to the unpaid balance of the loan. The home buyer ends up owing more than the original amount of the loan.

A loan in which the interest rate is adjusted periodically. (See adjustable rate mortgage.)

The borrower’s gross income minus federal income tax.

A loan requiring very little loan documentation. The borrower generally puts down a sizable down payment, usually at least 25%. These loans tend to be more common among self-employed people (those who have enough for the down payment) whose tax returns might indicate earnings substantially less than what would otherwise be acceptable to the lender.

A statement in a mortgage contract forbidding the assumption of the mortgage without the prior approval of the lender.

The signed obligation to pay a debt, as a mortgage note.

The fee charged by a lender to prepare loan documents, make credit checks, inspect and sometimes appraise a property, usually computed as a percentage of the face value of the loan.

A long-term mortgage, usually ten years or more. Also called an “end loan.”

Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance. Also called monthly housing expense.

Money is placed in a pledged savings account and this fund, plus earned interest, is gradually used to reduce mortgage payments.

Prepaid interest assessed at closing by the lender. Each point is equal to 1 percent of the loan amount (e.g., two points on a $100,000 mortgage would cost $2,000).

A legal document authorizing one person to act on behalf of another.

Money necessary to create an escrow account or to adjust the seller’s existing escrow account. Can include taxes, hazard insurance, private mortgage insurance and special assessments.

A privilege in a mortgage which permits the borrower to make payments in advance of their due date.

Money charged for an early repayment of debt. Prepayment penalties are allowed in some form (but not necessarily imposed) in 36 states and the District of Columbia.

Lenders making mortgage loans directly to borrowers such as savings and loan association, commercial banks, and mortgage companies. These lenders sometimes sell their mortgages into the secondary mortgage markets such as to FNMA or GNMA, etc.

The amount of debt, not counting interest, left on a loan.

in the event that you do not have a 20 percent down payment, lenders will allow a smaller one – as low as 5 percent in some cases. With the smaller down payment loans, however, borrowers are usually required to carry private mortgage insurance. Private mortgage insurance will require an initial premium payment of 1.0 percent to 5.0 percent of your mortgage amount and may require an additional monthly fee depending on you loan’s structure.

On a $75,000 house with a 10 percent down payment, this would mean either an initial premium payment of $2,025 to $3,375, or an initial premium of $675 to $1,130 combined with a monthly payment of $25 to $30.

A radioactive gas which seeps up from the ground. It may be found in some homes, and if it is in sufficient concentration, then it can cause health problems. A radon test is often part of the home inspection.

A real estate broker or an associate holding active membership in a local real estate board affiliated with the National Association of Realtors.

The cancellation of a contract. With respect to mortgage refinancing, the law that gives the homeowner three days to cancel a contract (in some cases) once it is signed, if the transaction uses equity in the home as security.

Money paid to the lender for recording a home sale with the local authorities, thereby making it part of the public records.

If you’re in the recording studio singing your heart out, then ‘recording fees’ no doubt refers to something else entirely.

The illegal practice of refusing to make mortgages or issue insurance policies in specific areas for reasons other than the economic qualifications of the applicant.

Obtaining a new mortgage loan on a property already owned, often to replace existing loans on the property.

A form of mortgage in which the lender makes periodic payments to the borrower using the borrower’s equity in the home as collateral.

The price at which the house actually sold. By noting the difference between the sale price and the listing price in houses that have recently sold, comparable to the one you’re interested in, you can get an idea of how much below the asking price you might be able to offer.

The document issued by the mortgagee when the mortgage loan is paid in full. Also called a “release of mortgage.”

A mortgage made subsequent to another mortgage and subordinate to the first one.

The market in which primary mortgage lenders sell the mortgages they make to obtain more funds to originate more new loans. It provides liquidity for the lenders.

an interest that a lender takes in the borrower’s property to assure repayment of a debt.

All the steps and operations a lender performs to keep a loan in good standing, such as collection of payments, payment of taxes, insurance, property inspections and the like.

See closing/closing costs.

A mortgage in which a borrower receives a below-market interest rate in return for which the lender (or another investor such as a family member or other partner) receives a portion of the future appreciation in the value of the property.

It may also apply to mortgage where the borrowers shares the monthly principal and interest payments with another party in exchange for part of the appreciation.

Interest which is computed only on the principal balance.

A market where not much is selling, the sales price is likely to be significantly lower than the asking (listing) price. So, the price is ‘soft’ — you can push it down, like a squishy sponge.

The effort to maneuver home buyers into, or away from, a particular area of town because they won’t “fit in.” Telling a white couple, “You don’t want to live in Mount Pleasant because that’s where all the Latinos are” is an example. Or not telling a black family that a house that would otherwise be perfect for them is available in an all-white neighborhood. Both of these are illegal.

A measurement of land, prepared by a registered land surveyor, showing the location of the land with reference to know points, its dimensions, and the location and dimensions of any buildings.

Equity created by a purchaser performing work on a property being purchased. The idea is that you’re improving the property through all the sweaty work you’re putting into it.

The lifespan of the contract to repay a loan.

Don’t confuse “term” with “amortization.” The term can be 6 months to 10 years. For example, a mortgage that is amortized over 20 years might have a 5-year term. At the end of 5 years the mortgage will mature. However, because the loan is amortized over 20 years, there will still be money owed on the loan. (This is sometimes referred to as a “balloon” mortgage). The borrower can either renew the loan, refinance it with another lender, or pay it off completely.

See balloon payment mortgage.

A document that gives evidence of an individual’s ownership of property.

A policy, usually issued by a title insurance company, which insures a home buyer against errors in the title search. The cost of the policy is us ally a function of the value of the property, and is often borne by the purchaser and/or seller.

An examination of municipal records to determine the legal ownership of property. Usually is performed by a title company.

A fee charged each time you draw on your credit line.

A federal law requiring disclosure of the Annual Percentage Rate to home buyers shortly after they apply for the loan.

Mortgage in which the borrower receives a below-market interest rate for a specified number of years (most often seven or 10), and then receives a new interest rate adjusted (within certain limits) to market conditions at that time. The lender sometimes has the option to call the loan due with 30 days notice at the end of seven or 10 years. also called “Super Seven” or “Premier” mortgage.

The decision whether to make a loan to a potential home buyer based on credit, employment, assets, and other factors and the matching of this risk to an appropriate rate and term or loan amount.

Interest charged in excess of the legal rate established by law.

A long-term, low-or no-down payment loan guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Restricted to individuals qualified by military service or other entitlements.

A premium of up to 1-7/8 percent (depending on the size of the down payment) paid on a VA-backed loan. On a $75,000 fixed-rate mortgage with no down payment, this would amount to $1,406 either paid at closing or added to the amount financed.