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Financial Terms Glossary

AB | CDE | FG | H | IJ | K | L | MNOPQRST | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)

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

Adjustment Date

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

Adjustment Period

The time that elapses between interest rate adjustments on an adjustable-rate mortgage.

Amortization

The repayment of a mortgage loan through scheduled payments that cover both principal and interest over time.

Amortization Term

The total length of time required to repay a loan in full, expressed in months.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

The yearly cost of a mortgage expressed as a percentage, including interest and certain loan-related fees.

Appreciation

An increase in a property’s value due to market conditions or other factors.

Asset

Anything of monetary value owned by an individual, including property, investments, and bank accounts.

Assignment

The transfer of a mortgage from one party to another.

Assumable Mortgage

A mortgage that can be transferred to a buyer when a property is sold.assumption

The act of taking over an existing mortgage obligation.

Assumption Clause

A mortgage provision allowing a buyer to assume responsibility for the seller’s existing loan.

Assumption Fee

A lender fee charged when a mortgage is assumed by a new borrower.

B

Balance Sheet

A financial statement listing assets, liabilities, and net worth at a specific point in time.

Balloon Mortgage

A loan with regular payments that ends with a large lump sum payment due at maturity.

Balloon Payment

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

Basis Point

One one-hundredth of one percent, used to describe changes in interest rates.

Binder

A preliminary agreement to purchase property, typically accompanied by an earnest money deposit.

Biweekly Payment Mortgage

A loan structure where payments are made every two weeks, potentially reducing total interest paid.

Blanket Mortgage

A mortgage secured by more than one property.

Breach

Violation of a legal obligation or contract term.

Bridge Loan

Short-term financing used to transition between selling one property and purchasing another.

Broker

A licensed professional who brings buyers and sellers together and negotiates transactions.

Buydown Mortgage

A mortgage in which funds are paid upfront to reduce the interest rate temporarily or permanently.

C

Call Option

A mortgage provision allowing the lender to demand repayment after a specified period.

Cap

A limit on how much an adjustable-rate mortgage interest rate may change.

Capital Improvement

A permanent upgrade that increases a property’s value or extends its useful life.

Cash-Out Refinance

Refinancing that replaces an existing loan with a larger one, allowing the borrower to receive cash.

Certificate of Title

A document verifying legal ownership of a property.

Chain of Title

The historical record of property ownership transfers.

Clear Title

Ownership free from liens or legal disputes.

Closing

The meeting where final documents are signed and ownership transfers.

Closing Costs

Fees and expenses paid at settlement in addition to the purchase price.

Collateral

Property pledged as security for a loan.

Combined Loan-To-Value (CLTV)

The total of all loan balances divided by the property’s value.

Commission

The fee paid to a real estate agent or broker for facilitating a transaction.

Commitment Letter

A formal loan approval outlining the terms under which a lender agrees to lend funds.

Comparables

Recently sold properties used to help determine market value.

Conforming Loan

A loan that meets guidelines set by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Construction Loan

Short-term financing used to fund building or renovation.

Conventional Mortgage

A loan not insured or guaranteed by the federal government.

Convertible ARM

An adjustable-rate mortgage that may be converted to a fixed-rate mortgage under certain conditions.

D

Deed

The legal document transferring ownership of real property.

Deed of Trust

A document used in some states instead of a mortgage, involving a trustee.

Default

Failure to meet loan obligations.

Delinquency

Late payment of a mortgage obligation.

Depreciation

A decline in property value.

Due-On-Sale Clause

A provision requiring full loan repayment if the property is sold.

E

Earnest Money Deposit

Funds submitted to demonstrate serious intent to purchase property.

Easement

A legal right allowing someone to use part of another’s property.

Effective Gross Income

Stable income used to qualify for a mortgage.

Encumbrance

A claim or lien against property that affects title.

Equity

The difference between a property’s market value and the outstanding loan balance.

Escrow

Funds held by a third party until contractual obligations are met.

Escrow Account

An account used to hold funds for property taxes and insurance.

F

Fair Market Value

The price a willing buyer and seller agree upon in an open market.

Fannie Mae

A government-sponsored enterprise that purchases mortgages to support liquidity in the housing market.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

A federal agency that insures mortgage loans.

Fixed-Rate Mortgage (FRM)

A mortgage with an interest rate that remains constant throughout the term.

Flood Insurance

Coverage protecting against flood-related property damage.

Foreclosure

The legal process by which a lender repossesses property after default.

G

Good Faith Estimate

An estimate of loan-related closing costs provided by a lender.

H

Hazard Insurance

Insurance protecting property against damage from specified hazards.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

A revolving line of credit secured by home equity.

Home Equity Loan

A lump sum loan secured by a second lien on a property.

Housing Ratio

The percentage of gross monthly income spent on housing expenses.

HUD

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

I

Index

A benchmark interest rate used to adjust ARM interest rates.

Impound Account

An escrow account for property taxes and insurance.

Interest-Only Loan

A loan allowing payments of interest only for a specified period.

J

Jumbo Mortgage

A loan exceeding conforming loan limits.

L

Lender

The institution providing loan funds.

Lien

A legal claim against property for unpaid debt.

Loan-To-Value Ratio (LTV)

The loan balance divided by the property’s value.

Lock-In

A lender’s written guarantee of a specific interest rate for a set period.

M

Margin

The percentage added to an index rate to determine an ARM interest rate.

Maturity Date

The date when a loan balance becomes due in full.

Mortgage

A legal agreement pledging property as security for a loan.

Mortgage Insurance (MI)

Insurance protecting the lender against borrower default.

N

Negative Amortization

When loan payments are insufficient to cover interest, causing the balance to grow.

Non-Conforming Loan

A mortgage that does not meet conforming loan guidelines.

O

Origination Fee

A lender fee for processing a loan.

Owner Financing

When the seller provides financing to the buyer.

P

PITI

Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance.

Points

Fees paid to reduce the interest rate, equal to one percent of the loan amount per point.

Prepayment Penalty

A fee charged for paying off a loan early.

Principal

The original loan amount, excluding interest.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

Insurance required for certain loans with higher LTV ratios.

Q

Qualifying Ratios

Debt-to-income ratios used to determine loan eligibility.

R

Rate Cap

A limit on how much an interest rate may increase.

Refinancing

Replacing an existing mortgage with a new loan.

S

Seller Carryback

When a seller provides financing to the buyer.

Subordination

Reordering lien positions, typically during refinancing.

Survey

A property boundary measurement report.

T

Tenants in Common

Shared Ownership Where Each Party Holds an Undivided Interest.

Title Insurance

Insurance Protecting Against Title Defects.

Title Search

A Review of Public Records to Confirm Ownership.

Total Debt Ratio

Monthly debt obligations divided by gross monthly income.

V

Variable Rate

An interest rate that may change over time.

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