Mortgage Glossary

Provision in a mortgage that allows the lender to demand payment of the entire principal balance if a monthly payment is missed or some other default occurs.

A way to reduce the remaining balance on the loan by paying more than the scheduled principal amount due.

A mortgage with an interest rate that changes during the life of the loan according to movements in an index rate. Sometimes called AMLs (adjustable mortgage loans) or VRMs (variable-rate mortgages).

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

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

The period elapsing between adjustment dates for an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM).

An analysis of a buyer’s ability to afford the purchase of a home. Reviews income, liabilities, and available funds, and considers the type of mortgage you plan to use, the area where you want to purchase a home, and the closing costs that are likely.

The gradual repayment of a mortgage loan, both principle and interest, by installments.

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.

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.

A written analysis prepared by a qualified appraiser and estimating the value of a property.

An opinion of a property’s fair market value, based on an appraiser’s knowledge, experience, and analysis of the property.

Anything owned of monetary value including real property, personal property, and enforceable claims against others (including bank accounts, stocks, mutual funds, etc.).

The transfer of a mortgage from one person or entity to another.

An assumable mortgage can be transferred from the seller to the new buyer. Generally requires a credit review of the new borrower and lenders may charge a fee for the assumption. If a mortgage contains a due-on-sale clause it may not be assumed by a new buyer.

The fee paid to a lender (usually by the purchaser of real property) when an assumption takes place.

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

A mortgage with level monthly payments that amortizes over a stated term, but also requires that a lump sum payment of more than twice the level monthly payment is paid at the end of an earlier specified term.

The final lump sum paid at the maturity date of a balloon mortgage.

Income before taxes are deducted.

A plan 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 required if the loan were a standard 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. The result for the borrower is a substantial savings in interest.

A loan that is collateralized by the borrower’s present home (subordinate to any existing lien) allowing the proceeds to be used to purchase a new house before the present home is sold. Also known as “swing loan.”

An individual or company that brings borrowers and lenders together for the purpose of loan origination.

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.

Limits how much the interest rate or the monthly payment can increase in an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), either at each adjustment or during the life of the mortgage.

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.

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

A meeting held to finalize the sale of a property. The buyer signs the mortgage documents and pays closing costs. Also called “settlement.”

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.

A Closing Disclosure is a form that provides final details about the mortgage loan you have selected. It includes the loan terms, your projected monthly payments, and how much you will pay in fees and other costs to get your mortgage (closing costs). The lender is required to give you the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before you close on the mortgage loan. This three-day window allows you time to compare your final terms and costs to those estimated in the Loan Estimate that you previously received from the lender. The three days also gives you time to ask your lender any questions before you go to the closing table.

Interest paid on the original principal balance and on the accrued and unpaid interest.

An organization that handles the preparation of reports used by lenders to determine a potential borrower’s credit history. The agency gets data for these reports from a credit repository and from other sources.

A provision in an ARM allowing the loan to be converted to a fixed-rate at some point during the term. Usually conversion is allowed at the end of the first adjustment period. The conversion feature may cost extra.

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.

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, Isaac 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 represent lower credit risks, which typically equate to better loan terms. In general, credit scores are critical in the mortgage loan underwriting process.

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 on time.

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.

In an ARM with an initial rate discount, the lender gives up a number of percentage points in interest to reduce II rate and lower the payments for part of the mortgage term. After the discount period the ARM rate usually increases according to its index rate.

Part of the purchase price of a property that is paid in cash and not financed with a mortgage.

A borrower’s normal annual income, including overtime that is regular or guaranteed. Salary is usually the principal source, but other income may qualify if it is significant and stable.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

A mortgage that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Also known as a government mortgage.

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.

The primary lien against a property.

The monthly payment due on a mortgage loan including payment of both principal and interest.

A mortgage with an interest that is fixed throughout the entire term of the loan.

An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) with a monthly payment that is sufficient to amortize the remaining balance, at the interest accrual rate, over the amortization term.

A government-owned corporation that assumed responsibility for the special assistance loan program formerly administered by Fannie Mae. Popularly known as Ginnie Mae.

A fixed-rate mortgage that provides scheduled payment increases over an established period of time. The increased amount of the monthly payment is applied directly toward reducing the remaining balance of the mortgage.

An estimate of the fees due at closing for a mortgage loan that must be provided by a lender to a borrower within three days of the lender taking a borrower’s loan application. A good faith estimate is required by the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). While the form of the estimate is standardized across the industry to allow borrowers to compare costs between lenders, it is key to note that it is only an estimate, and the true figure can sometimes be different.

A mortgage that is guaranteed by a third party.

The percentage of gross monthly income budgeted to pay housing expenses.

The HUD-1 Settlement Statement was a standard form that was used to itemize services and fees charged to the consumer by the lender or broker when applying for and closing on a loan for the purpose of purchasing or refinancing real estate. As part of rules established by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau effective October 3, 2015, the HUD-1 Settlement Statement became obsolete (except for Reverse Mortgages). It has been replaced by a document called the Closing Disclosure that consolidates the HUD-1, Good Faith Estimate, and Truth in Lending Act disclosures.

A combination fixed rate and adjustable rate loan- also called 3/1, 5/1, 7/1 -can offer the best of both worlds: low interest rates (like ARMs) and a fixed payment for a longer period of time than most adjustable rate loans. For example, a “5/1 loan” has a fixed monthly payment and interest for the first five years and then turns into a traditional adjustable rate loan, based on then-current rates for the remaining 25 years. It’s a good choice for people who expect to move or refinance, before or shortly after, the adjustment occurs.

The index is the measure of interest rate changes a lender uses to decide the amount an interest rate on an ARM will change over time. The index is generally a published number or percentage, such as the average interest rate or yield on Treasury bills or the one-year LIBOR rate.

This refers to the original interest rate of the mortgage at the time of closing. This rate changes for an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). It’s also known as “start rate” or “teaser.”

The regular periodic payment that a borrower agrees to make to a lender.

A mortgage that is protected by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or by private mortgage insurance (MI).

The fee charged for borrowing money.

The percentage rate at which interest accrues on the mortgage. In most cases, it is also the rate used to calculate the monthly payments.

An arrangement that allows the property seller to deposit money to an account. That money is then released each month to reduce the mortgagor’s monthly payments during the early years of a mortgage.

For an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), the maximum interest rate, as specified in the mortgage note.

For an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), the minimum interest rate, as specified in the mortgage note.

The penalty a borrower must pay when a payment is made a stated number of days (usually 15) after the due date.

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 or the first mortgage plus an extra amount that accumulates in a savings account for a down payment.

A person’s financial obligations. Liabilities include long-term and short-term debt.

Libor stands for London interbank offered rate. The interest rate at which banks offer to lend funds (wholesale money) to one another in the international interbank market. Libor is a key benchmark rate that reflects how much it costs banks to borrow from each other. It is the reference rate for about $350tn of financial products, ranging from interest rate swaps and corporate loans to credit cards, mortgages and savings accounts.

For an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), a limit on the amount that payments can increase or decrease over the life of the mortgage.

For an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), a limit on the amount that the interest rate can increase or decrease over

An agreement by a bank or other financial institution to extend credit up to a certain amount for a certain time.

A cash asset or an asset that is easily converted into cash.

A sum of borrowed money (principal) that is generally repaid with interest.

Your lender will provide you with a Loan Estimate within three business days after you make an application for a mortgage loan. The form shows you what loan terms the lender expects to offer if you decide to move forward with your application. It provides you with information, including the estimated interest rate, monthly payment, and total closing costs for the loan. The Loan Estimate also gives you information about the estimated costs of taxes and insurance, and how the interest rate and payments may change in the future. If you decide to move forward, the lender will ask you for additional financial information.

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.

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.

The number of percentage points the lender adds to the index rate to calculate the ARM interest rate at each adjustment.

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

A legal document that pledges a property to the lender as security for payment of a debt.

A company that originates mortgages exclusively for resale in the secondary mortgage market.

An individual or company that brings borrowers and lenders together for the purpose of loan origination.

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.

The amount paid by a mortgagor (borrower) for mortgage insurance.

A type of term life insurance. In the event that the borrower dies while the policy is in force, the debt is automatically paid by insurance proceeds.

The borrower in a mortgage agreement.

A legal document that obligates a borrower to repay a mortgage loan at a stated interest rate during a specified period of time.

The value of all of a person’s assets, including cash, less the person’s liabilities.

An asset that cannot easily be converted into cash.

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.

A property purchase transaction in which the party selling the property provides all or part of the financing.

The date when a new monthly payment amount takes effect on an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) or a graduated-payment mortgage (GPM). Generally, the payment change date occurs in the month immediately after the adjustment date.

A limit on the amount that payments can increase or decrease during any one adjustment period.

A limit on the amount that the interest rate can increase or decrease during any one adjustment period, regardless of how high or low the index might be.

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).

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.

A fee that may be charged to a borrower who pays off a loan before it is due.

The process of determining the amount of a loan you qualify for before you select the property you wish to purchase. The lender conducts a comprehensive analysis of your creditworthiness and issues a written commitment to lend a specific amount on specified terms, subject to you purchasing an acceptable property.

The interest rate that banks charge to their preferred customers. Changes in the prime rate influence changes in other rates, including mortgage interest rates.

The amount borrowed or remaining unpaid. The part of the monthly payment that reduces the remaining balance of a mortgage.

The outstanding balance of principal on a mortgage not including interest or any other charges.

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.

Mortgage insurance provided by a private mortgage insurance company to protect lenders against loss if a borrower defaults. Most lenders generally require Ml for a loan with a loan-to-value (LTV) percentage in excess of 80 percent.

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.

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.

A person licensed to negotiate and transact the sale of real estate on behalf of the property owner.

A consumer protection law that requires lenders to give borrowers advance notice of closing costs.

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 Real Estate Agents.

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.

Paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan using the same property as security.

A credit arrangement, such as a credit card, that allows a customer to borrow against a pre-approved line of credit when purchasing goods and services.

The Secondary Mortgage Market is where home loans and servicing rights are bought and sold between lenders and investors. Most home loans in the US are eventually sold to the secondary mortgage market. When a consumer obtains a home loan, that loan is underwritten, funded and serviced by a bank or lending institution. Since the bank has used their own funds to make the loan, they will eventually run out of money to loan, so they will sell the loan to the secondary market to replenish their money available to make more home loans. Often a loan is sold to a large aggregator like Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The aggregator, in turn, packages thousands of similar loans into a mortgage-backed security (MBS). These securities are then sold to investors on Wall Street who include governments, pension funds, insurance company and hedge funds.

The property that will be pledged as collateral for a loan.

An agreement in which the owner of a property provides financing, often in combination with an assumable mortgage. See Owner Financing.

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.

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.

A mortgage that allows for the interest rate to increase according to a specified schedule (i.e., seven years), resulting in increased payments as well. At the end of the specified period, the rate and payments will remain constant for the remainder of the loan.

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.

Total obligations as a percentage of gross monthly income including monthly housing expenses plus other monthly debts.

An index used to determine interest rate changes for certain adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) plans. Based on the results of auctions that the U.S. Treasury holds for its Treasury bills and securities or derived from the U.S. Treasury’s daily yield curve, which is based on the closing market bid yields on actively traded Treasury securities in the over-the-counter market.

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.

An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) with one interest rate for the first five or seven years of its mortgage term and a different interest rate for the remainder of the amortization term.

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.