Financial Terms Glossary

A mortgage whose interest rate changes periodically based on the changes in a specified index.

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

The period that elapses between the adjustment dates for an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM).

The repayment of a mortgage loan by installments with regular payments to cover the principal and interest.

The amount of time required to amortize the mortgage loan. The amortization term is expressed as a number of months. For example, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, the amortization term is 360 months.

The cost of a mortgage stated as a yearly rate; includes such items as interest, mortgage insurance, and loan origination fee (points).

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

Anything of monetary value that is owned by a person. Assets include real property, personal property, and enforceable claims against others (including bank accounts, stocks, mutual funds, and so on).

The transfer of a mortgage from one person to another.

A mortgage that can be taken over (“assumed”) by the buyer when a home is sold.

The transfer of the seller’s existing mortgage to the buyer.

A provision in an assumable mortgage that allows a buyer to assume responsibility for the mortgage from the seller. The loan does not need to be paid in full by the original borrower upon sale or transfer of the property.

The fee paid to a lender (usually by the purchaser of real property) resulting from the assumption of an existing mortgage.

A financial statement that shows assets, liabilities, and net worth as of a specific date.

A mortgage that has level monthly payments that will amortize it over a stated term but that provides for a lump sum payment to be due at the end of an earlier specified term.

The final lump sum payment that is made at the maturity date of a balloon mortgage.

A basis point is 1/100th of a percentage point. For example, a fee calculated as 50 basis points of a loan amount of $100,000 would be 0.50% or $500.

A preliminary agreement, secured by the payment of an earnest money deposit, under which a buyer offers to purchase real estate.

A mortgage that requires payments to reduce the debt every two weeks (instead of the standard monthly payment schedule). The 26 (or possibly 27) biweekly payments are each equal to one-half of the monthly payment that would be required if the loan were a standard 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, and they are usually drafted from the borrower’s bank account. The result for the borrower is a substantial savings in interest.

The mortgage that is secured by a cooperative project, as opposed to the share loans on individual units within the project.

A violation of any legal obligation.

A form of second trust that is collateralized by the borrower’s present home (which is usually for sale) in a manner that allows the proceeds to be used for closing on a new house before the present home is sold. Also known as “swing loan.”

A person who, for a commission or a fee, brings parties together and assists in negotiating contracts between them.

A temporary buydown is a mortgage on which an initial lump sum payment is made by any party to reduce a borrower’s monthly payments during the first few years of a mortgage. A permanent buydown reduces the interest rate over the entire life of a mortgage.

A provision in the mortgage that gives the mortgagee the right to call the mortgage due and payable at the end of a specified period for whatever reason.

A provision of an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) that limits how much the interest rate or mortgage payments may increase or decrease.

Any structure or component erected as a permanent improvement to real property that adds to its value and useful life.

A refinance transaction in which the amount of money received from the new loan exceeds the total of the money needed to repay the existing first mortgage, closing costs, points, and the amount required to satisfy any outstanding subordinate mortgage liens. In other words, a refinance transaction in which the borrower receives additional cash that can be used for any purpose.

Commonly known as a “CD,” certificates of deposit bear a maturity date and a specified rate of interest. Penalties may apply for early withdrawal.

A document issued by the federal government certifying a veteran’s eligibility for a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mortgage.

A document issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that establishes the maximum value and loan amount for a VA mortgage.

A statement provided by an abstract company, title company, or attorney stating that the title to real estate is legally held by the current owner.

The history of all of the documents that transfer title to a parcel of real property, starting with the earliest existing document and ending with the most recent.

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

A title that is free of liens or legal questions as to ownership of the property.

A meeting at which a sale of a property is finalized by the buyer signing the mortgage documents and paying closing costs. Also called “settlement.”

A fee or amount that a home buyer must pay at closing for a single service, tax, or product. Closing costs are made up of individual closing cost items such as origination fees and attorney’s fees. Many closing cost items are included as numbered items on the HUD-1 statement. Expenses (over and above the price of the property) incurred by buyers and sellers in transferring ownership of a property. Closing costs normally include an origination fee, an attorney’s fee, taxes, an amount placed in escrow, and charges for obtaining title insurance and a survey. Closing costs percentage will vary according to the area of the country.

Also referred to as the HUD-1. The final statement of costs incurred to close on a loan or to purchase a home.

Any conditions revealed by a title search that adversely affect the title to real estate. Usually, clouds on the title cannot be removed except by a quitclaim deed, release, or court action.

An asset (such as a car or a home) that guarantees the repayment of a loan. The borrower risks losing the asset if the loan is not repaid according to the terms of the loan contract.

The efforts used to bring a delinquent mortgage current and to file the necessary notices to proceed with foreclosure when necessary.

With this type of loan, you receive a first mortgage for 80 percent of the loan amount, and a second mortgage at the same time for the remainder of the balance. If avoiding PMI (mortgage insurance) is important to you, consider combination loans–known as 80/10/10 loans or 80/20’s.

The unpaid principal balances of all the mortgages on a property (first and second usually) divided by the property’s appraised value.

A person who signs a promissory note along with the borrower. A co-maker’s signature guarantees that the loan will be repaid, because the borrower and the co-maker are equally responsible for the repayment. See endorser.

The fee charged by a broker or agent for negotiating a real estate or loan transaction. A commission is generally a percentage of the price of the property or loan.

A formal offer by a lender stating the terms under which it agrees to lend money to a home buyer. Also known as a “loan commitment.”

Those portions of a building, land, and amenities owned (or managed) by a planned unit development (PUD) or condominium project’s homeowners’ association (or a cooperative project’s cooperative corporation) that are used by all of the unit owners, who share in the common expenses of their operation and maintenance. Common areas include swimming pools, tennis courts, and other recreational facilities, as well as common corridors of buildings, parking areas, means of ingress and egress, etc.

An alternative financing option that allows low- and moderate-income home buyers to obtain 95 percent financing for the purchase and improvement of a home in need of modest repairs. The repair work can account for as much as 30 percent of the appraised value.

In some western and southwestern states, a form of ownership under which property acquired during a marriage is presumed to be owned jointly unless acquired as separate property of either spouse.

An abbreviation for “comparable properties”; used for comparative purposes in the appraisal process. Comparables are properties like the property under consideration; they have reasonably the same size, location, and amenities and have recently been sold. Comparables help the appraiser determine the approximate fair market value of the subject property.

E-LOAN CDs and Savings accounts compound interest daily. This refers to any interest earned on an account holder’s principal balance, as well as any prior interest.

Changing the ownership of an existing building (usually a rental project) to the condominium form of ownership.

The current conforming loan limit is $417,000 and below. Conforming loan limits change annually.

A short-term, interim loan for financing the cost of construction. The lender makes payments to the builder at periodic intervals as the work progresses.

An organization that prepares reports that are used by lenders to determine a potential borrower’s credit history. The agency obtains data for these reports from a credit repository as well as from other sources.

A condition that must be met before a contract is legally binding. For example, home purchasers often include a contingency that specifies that the contract is not binding until the purchaser obtains a satisfactory home inspection report from a qualified home inspector.

A mortgage that is not insured or guaranteed by the federal government.

A provision in some adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) that allows the borrower to change the ARM to a fixed-rate mortgage at specified timeframes after loan origination.

An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) that can be converted to a fixed-rate mortgage under specified conditions.

A type of multiple ownership in which the residents of a multiunit housing complex own shares in the cooperative corporation that owns the property, giving each resident the right to occupy a specific apartment or unit.

Arrangements under which an employer moves an employee to another area as part of the employer’s normal course of business or under which it transfers a substantial part or all of its operations and employees to another area because it is relocating its headquarters or expanding its office capacity.

An index that is used to determine interest rate changes for certain adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) plans. It represents the weighted-average cost of savings, borrowings, and advances of the 11th District members of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.

A clause in a mortgage that obligates or restricts the borrower and that, if violated, can result in foreclosure.

An organization that gathers, records, updates, and stores financial and public records information about the payment records of individuals who are being considered for credit.

The legal document conveying title to a property.

A deed given by a mortgagor to the mortgagee to satisfy a debt and avoid foreclosure.

The document used in some states instead of a mortgage; title is conveyed to a trustee.

Failure to make mortgage payments on a timely basis or to comply with other requirements of a mortgage.

Failure to make mortgage payments when mortgage payments are due.

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

A provision in a mortgage that allows the lender to demand repayment in full if the borrower sells the property that serves as security for the mortgage.

A deposit made by the potential home buyer to show that he or she is serious about buying the house.

A right of way giving persons other than the owner access to or over a property.

An appraiser’s estimate of the physical condition of a building. The actual age of a building may be shorter or longer than its effective age.

Normal annual income including overtime that is regular or guaranteed. The income may be from more than one source. Salary is generally the principal source, but other income may qualify if it is significant and stable.

EFT allows account holders to transfer funds from an account electronically. This method of transfer is not only highly secure, but also extremely efficient and easy to transact.

Anything that affects or limits the fee simple title to a property, such as mortgages, leases, easements, or restrictions.

A person who signs ownership interest over to another party. Contrast with co-maker.

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.

A homeowner’s financial interest in a property. Equity is the difference between the fair market value of the property and the amount still owed on its mortgage.

An item of value, money, or documents deposited with a third party to be delivered upon the fulfillment of a condition. For example, the deposit by a borrower with the lender of funds to pay taxes and insurance premiums when they become due, or the deposit of funds or documents with an attorney or escrow agent to be disbursed upon the closing of a sale of real estate.

The account in which a mortgage servicer holds the borrower’s escrow payments prior to paying property expenses.

The periodic examination of escrow accounts to determine if current monthly deposits will provide sufficient funds to pay taxes, insurance, and other bills when due.

Funds collected by the servicer and set aside in an escrow account to pay the borrower’s property taxes, mortgage insurance, and hazard insurance.

The use of escrow funds to pay real estate taxes, hazard insurance, mortgage insurance, and other property expenses as they become due.

The portion of a mortgagor’s monthly payment that is held by the servicer to pay for taxes, hazard insurance, mortgage insurance, lease payments, and other items as they become due. Known as “impounds” or “reserves” in some states.

The ownership interest of an individual in real property. The sum total of all the real property and personal property owned by an individual at time of death.

The lawful expulsion of an occupant from real property.

The report on the title of a property from the public records or an abstract of the title.

A consumer protection law that regulates the disclosure of consumer credit reports by consumer/credit reporting agencies and establishes procedures for correcting mistakes on one’s credit record.

The highest price that a buyer, willing but not compelled to buy, would pay, and the lowest a seller, willing but not compelled to sell, would accept.

A congressionally chartered, shareholder-owned company that is the nation’s largest supplier of home mortgage funds.

A congressionally chartered, shareholder-owned company that is the nation’s largest supplier of home mortgage funds.