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Glossary Of Terms

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Additional Principal Payment
A way to reduce the remaining balance on the loan by paying more than the scheduled principal amount due. Back
Amortization
The gradual repayment of a mortgage loan, both principal and interest, by installments. Back
Amortization Term
The length of time required to amortize the mortgage loan expressed as a number of months. For example, 360 months is the amortization term for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Back
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
The cost of credit, expressed as a yearly rate including interest, mortgage insurance, and loan origination fees. This allows the buyer to compare loans, however APR should not be confused with the actual note rate. Back
Appraisal
A written analysis prepared by a qualified appraiser and estimating the value of a property. Back
Appraised Value
An opinion of a property's fair market value, based on an appraiser's knowledge, experience, and analysis of the property. Back
Asset
Anything owned of monetary value including real property, personal property, and enforceable claims against others (including bank accounts, stocks, mutual funds, etc.). Back
Broker
An individual or company that brings borrowers and lenders together for the purpose of loan origination. Back
Buydown
When the seller, builder or buyer pays an amount of money up front to the lender to reduce monthly payments during the first few years of a mortgage.Buydowns can occur in both fixed and adjustable rate mortgages. Back
Certificate of Eligibility (VA)
A document issued by the federal government certifying a veteran's eligibility for a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mortgage. Back
Closing
A meeting held to finalize the sale of a property. The buyer signs the mortgage documents and pays closing costs. Also called "settlement." Back
Closing Costs
These are expenses - over and above the price of the property- that are incurred by buyers and sellers when transferring ownership of a property. Closing costs normally include an origination fee, property taxes, charges for title insurance and escrow costs, appraisal fees, etc. Closing costs will vary according to the area country and the lenders used. Back
Credit Report
A report detailing an individual's credit history that is prepared by a credit bureau and used by a lender to determine a loan applicant's creditworthiness. Back
Credit Risk Score
A credit score measures a consumer's credit risk relative to the rest of the U.S. population, based on the individual's credit usage history. The credit score most widely used by lenders is the FICO® score, developed by Fair, Issac and Company. This 3-digit number, ranging from 300 to 850, is calculated by a mathematical equation that evaluates many types of information that are on your credit report. Higher FICO® scores represents lower credit risks, which typically equate to better loan terms. In general, credit scores are critical in the mortgage loan underwriting process. Back
Deed of Trust
The document used in some states instead of a mortgage. Title is conveyed to a trustee. Back
Default
Failure to make mortgage payments on a timely basis or to comply with other requirements of a mortgage. Back
Delinquency
Failure to make mortgage payments on time. Back
Deposit
This is a sum of money given to bind the sale of real estate, or a sum of money given to ensure payment or an advance of funds in the processing of a loan. Back
Discount
In an ARM with an initial rate discount, the lender gives up a number of percentage points in interest to reduce the rate and lower the payments for part of the mortgage term (usually for one year or less). After the discount period, the ARM rate usually increases according to its index rate. Back
Down Payment
Part of the purchase price of a property that is paid in cash and not financed with a mortgage. Back
Equity
The amount of financial interest in a property. Equity is the difference between the fair market value of the property and the amount still owed on the mortgage. Back
Escrow
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 of funds or documents into an escrow account to be disbursed upon the closing of a sale of real estate. Back
Escrow Disbursements
The use of escrow funds to pay real estate taxes, hazard insurance, mortgage insurance, and other property expenses as they become due. Back
Escrow Payment
The part 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. Back
Fannie Mae
A congressionally chartered, shareholder-owned company that is the nation's largest supplier of home mortgage funds. Back
FHA Mortgage
A mortgage that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Also known as a government mortgage. Back
FICO® Score
FICO® scores are the most widely used credit score in U.S. mortgage loan underwriting. This 3-digit number, ranging from 300 to 850, is calculated by a mathematical equation that evaluates many types of information that are on your credit report. Higher FICO® scores represent lower credit risks, which typically equate to better loan terms. Back
First Mortgage
The primary lien against a property. Back
Fixed Installment
The monthly payment due on a mortgage loan including payment of both principal and interest. Back
Fixed-Rate Mortgage (FRM)
A mortgage interest that are fixed throughout the entire term of the loan. Back
Housing Expense Ratio
The percentage of gross monthly income budgeted to pay housing expenses. Back
Installment
The regular periodic payment that a borrower agrees to make to a lender. Back
Insured Mortgage
A mortgage that is protected by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or by private mortgage insurance (MI). Back
Interest
The fee charged for borrowing money. Back
Late Charge
The penalty a borrower must pay when a payment is made a stated number of days (usually 15) after the due date. Back
Lease-Purchase Mortgage Loan
An alternative financing option that allows low- and moderate-income home buyers to lease a home with an option to buy. Each month's rent payment consists of principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI) payments on the first mortgage plus an extra amount that accumulates in a savings account for a downpayment. Back
Line of Credit
An agreement by a commercial bank or other financial institution to extend credit up to a certain amount for a certain time. Back
Liquid Asset
A cash asset or an asset that is easily converted into cash. Back
Loan
A sum of borrowed money (principal) that is generally repaid with interest. Back
Loan-to-Value (LTV) Percentage
The relationship between the principal balance of the mortgage and the appraised value (or sales price if it is lower) of the property. For example, a $100,000 home with an $80,000 mortgage has an LTV of 80 percent. Back
Lock-In Period
The guarantee of an interest rate for a specified period of time by a lender, including loan term and points, if any, to be paid at closing. Short term locks (under 21 days), are usually available after lender loan approval only. However, many lenders may permit a borrower to lock a loan for 30 days or more prior to submission of the loan application. Back
Monthly Fixed Installment
That portion of the total monthly payment that is applied toward principal and interest. When a mortgage negatively amortizes, the monthly fixed installment does not include any amount for principal reduction and doesn't cover all of the interest. The loan balance therefore increases instead of decreasing. Back
Mortgage
A legal document that pledges a property to the lender as security for payment of a debt. Back
Mortgage Broker
An individual or company that brings borrowers and lenders together for the purpose of loan origination. Back
Mortgage Insurance
A contract that insures the lender against loss caused by a mortgagor's default on a government mortgage or conventional mortgage. Mortgage insurance can be issued by a private company or by a government agency. Back
Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP)
The amount paid by a mortgagor for mortgage insurance. Back
Note
A legal document that obligates a borrower to repay a mortgage loan at a stated interest rate during a specified period of time. Back
Origination Fee
A fee paid to a lender for processing a loan application. The origination fee is stated in the form of points. One point is 1 percent of the mortgage amount. Back
Owner Financing
A property purchase transaction in which the party selling the property provides all or part of the financing. Back
PITI Reserves
A cash amount that a borrower must have on hand after making a down payment and paying all closing costs for the purchase of a home. The principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI) reserves must equal the amount that the borrower would have to pay for PITI for a predefined number of months (usually three). Back
Points
A point is equal to one percent of the principal amount of your mortgage. For example, if you get a mortgage for $165,000 one point means $1,650 to the lender.Points usually are collected at closing and may be paid by the borrower or the home seller, or may be split between them. Back
Prepayment Penalty
A fee that may be charged to a borrower who pays off a loan before it is due. Back
Pre-Approval
The process of determining how much money you will be eligible to borrow before you apply for a loan. Back
Principal
The amount borrowed or remaining unpaid. The part of the monthly payment that reduces the remaining balance of a mortgage. Back
Principal Balance
The outstanding balance of principal on a mortgage not including interest or any other charges. Back
Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance (PITI)
The four components of a monthly mortgage payment. Principal refers to the part of the monthly payment that reduces the remaining balance of the mortgage. Interest is the fee charged for borrowing money. Taxes and insurance refer to the monthly cost of property taxes and homeowners insurance, whether these amounts that are paid into an escrow account each month or not. Back
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
Mortgage insurance provided by a private mortgage insurance company to protect lenders against loss if a borrower defaults. Most lenders generally require MI for a loan with a loan-to-value (LTV) percentage in excess of 80 percent. Back
Qualifying Ratios
Calculations used to determine if a borrower can qualify for a mortgage. They consist of two separate calculations: a housing expense as a percent of income ratio and total debt obligations as a percent of income ratio. Back
Rate Lock
A commitment issued by a lender to a borrower or other mortgage originator guaranteeing a specified interest rate and lender costs for a specified period of time. Back
Real Estate Agent
A person licensed to negotiate and transact the sale of real estate on behalf of the property owner. Back
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)
A consumer protection law that requires lenders to give borrowers advance notice of closing costs. Back
REALTOR®
A real estate broker or an associate who is an active member in a local real estate board that is affiliated with the National Association of REALTORS®. Back
Recording
The noting in the registrar's office of the details of a properly executed legal document, such as a deed, a mortgage note, a satisfaction of mortgage, or an extension of mortgage, thereby making it a part of the public record. Back
Refinance
Paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan using the same property as security. Back
Revolving Liability
A credit arrangement, such as a credit card, that allows a customer to borrow against a preapproved line of credit when purchasing goods and services. Back
Seller Carry-Back
An agreement in which the owner of a property provides financing, often in combination with an assumable mortgage. See owner financing. Back
Servicer
An organization that collects principal and interest payments from borrowers and manages borrowers' escrow accounts. The servicer often services mortgages that have been purchased by an investor in the secondary mortgage market. Back
Standard Payment Calculation
The method used to determine the monthly payment required to repay the remaining balance of a mortgage in substantially equal installments over the remaining term of the mortgage at the current interest rate. Back
Third-Party Origination
When a lender uses another party to completely or partially originate, process, underwrite, close, fund, or package the mortgages it plans to deliver to the secondary mortgage market. Back
Total Expense Ratio
Total obligations as a percentage of gross monthly income including monthly housing expenses plus other monthly debts. Back
Truth-in-Lending
A federal law that requires lenders to fully disclose, in writing, the terms and conditions of a mortgage, including the annual percentage rate (APR) and other charges. Back
Underwriting
The process of evaluating a loan application to determine the risk involved for the lender. Underwriting involves an analysis of the borrower's creditworthiness and the quality of the property itself. Back
VA Mortgage
A mortgage that is guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Also known as a government mortgage. Back

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