amortgagepro Glossary of Terms

To help navigate you through the ABC's of mortgages, here is a handy list of terms you may come across:

Mortgage Terms A-B

Abstract of Title - A summary of recorded transactions concerning a property. (An attorney or title insurance company examines an abstract of title for any title defects which must be cleared before a buyer can purchase a clear, marketable and insurable title.)

Acceleration Clause - Condition in a mortgage that gives the lender the right to require immediate repayment of the loan balance if regular mortgage payments are not made, or for breach of other conditions of the mortgage.

Accrued Interest - Interest earned but not yet paid.

Adjustable Rate - An interest rate that changes periodically according to an index.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) - A mortgage in which the interest rate is adjusted periodically based on a pre-selected index. So, interest rate and payments rise and fall with the market.

Adjustment Interval - The time between changes in the interest rate and monthly payments on an ARM.

Agreement of Sale - Contract signed by buyer and seller stating the terms and conditions under which a property will be sold.

Alternative Documentation - A method of documenting a loan file that relies on information the borrower is likely to be able to provide, rather than waiting for verification sent to third parties for confirmation of statements made in the application.

Amortization - A monthly repayment schedule whereby a loan is repaid in fixed payments of principal and interest.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR) - The cost of a mortgage expressed as a yearly rate, taking into account interest, points, origination fees and mortgage insurance, so will be slightly higher than the interest rate on the loan.

Application - An initial statement of personal and financial information required to approve your loan.

Application Fee - Fees charged by lender to cover initial costs of processing a loan application, often including charges for property appraisal and a credit report.

Appraisal - A written estimate of a property's current market value, based on recent sales information for similar properties, the condition of the property and how the neighborhood might affect future property value.

Appraisal Fee - A fee charged by a licensed, certified appraiser to render an opinion of market value as of a specific date.

APR - See Annual Percentage Rate.

ARM - See Adjustable Rate Mortgage.

Assessment - A local tax levied against a property for a specific purpose, such as road or sidewalk construction, a sewer or street lights.

Assignment - The transfer of property rights from the assignor to the assignee.

Assumability - A feature of a loan which allows it to be transferred to the new purchaser of a home. Assumable mortgages can help attract buyers since assumption of a loan requires lower fees and/or qualifying standards than a new loan.

Assumption - Agreement between buyer and seller for the buyer to take over the payments on an existing mortgage.

Balloon Mortgage - A short-term fixed-rate loan with low payments for a set number of years and one large final "balloon" payment for the remaining principal.

Balance Sheet - A document showing the financial situation - assets, liabilities, and net worth - of a company at a specific point in time.

Bankruptcy - Proclamation by a court of an individual's (or organization's) state of insolvency, or inability to pay debts. Petition may be brought by an individual or his creditors, with a goal of orderly and equitable settlement of obligations.

Bearer - The legal owner of a piece of property.

Bequest - A gift of personal property by will.

Bill of Sale - A document by which one transfers ownership of goods to another.

Bi-Weekly Mortgage - A payment plan under which the home owner pays one half of a monthly payment every two weeks, thereby saving substantial interest over the life of the loan.

Blanket Mortgage - A mortgage covering at least two pieces of real estate, both of which serve as collateral for the loan.

Bona Fide - In good faith.

Bond - A document representing a right to certain payments on underlying collateral.

Borrower (Mortgagor) - An individual who applies for and receives a loan in the form of a mortgage with the intention of repaying the loan in full.

Broker - An individual who assists in arranging funding or negotiating contracts for a client, but does not loan money himself.

Buy-down - A situation in which the seller contributes money which allows the lender to give the buyer a lower rate and payment, usually in exchange for an increase in sales price.

Buyers Broker - An agent hired by a buyer to locate a property for purchase and to represent the buyer in negotiations with the seller's broker to secure the best possible deal for the buyer.

Buyers Market - Market conditions that favor buyers.

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Mortgage Terms C-D

Call Option - A loan feature that allows the lender to require repayment of the loan in full before the loan is up.

Caps - Limits on changes in ARM interest rates or monthly payments, either in an adjustment period or over the life of the loan.

Caps (interest) - Consumer safeguards limiting the amount the interest rate on an adjustable rate mortgage can change in an adjustment interval and/or over the life of the loan.

Caps (payment) - Consumer safeguards limiting the amount monthly payments on an adjustable rate mortgage may change. Since they do not limit the amount of interest the lender is earning, they may cause negative amortization.

Cash Out - A refinance for more than the balance of the original mortgage, so that money is taken out of the home's current equity.

Cashier's Check - Also known as a bank check, this is a check whose payment is guaranteed because it was paid for in advance and is drawn on the bank's account, rather than the customer's.

CC&Rs - See Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions.

Ceiling - The maximum allowable interest rate of an adjustable rate mortgage.

Certificate of Eligibility - Document issued by the Veterans Administration to qualified veterans that entitles them to VA guaranteed loans.

Certificate of Occupancy - Document issued by local government agency stating that a property meets the requirements of health and building codes.

Certificate of Reasonable Value (CRV) - A property appraisal performed by a VA approved appraiser that establishes the limit on the principal of the VA loan.

Certificate of Title - Written opinion of the status of title to a property, given by an attorney or title company. This certificate does not offer the protection given by title insurance.

Certificate of Veteran Status - Document given to veterans or reservists who have served 90 days of continuous active duty (including training time) which enables them to obtain lower down payments on certain FHA-insured loans.

Certified Check - A check drawn on the issuer's account for funds that have been segregated by the bank, guaranteeing payment.

Chain of Title - The chronological order of conveyance of a property from the original owner to the present owner.

Clear Title - A marketable title, free of clouds and disputes.

Closing (or Settlement) - Meeting between the buyer, seller and lender, or their agents, where property and funds legally change hands.

Closing Costs - Fees incurred in a real estate or mortgage transaction and paid by borrower and/or seller during the closing of the mortgage loan. These typically include a loan origination fee, discount points, attorney's fees, title insurance, appraisal, survey, taxes and insurance escrow payments. Closing costs usually are about 3-6 percent of the mortgage amount.

Closing Statement - Financial disclosure statement that lists the funds received and expected at the closing.

Cloud on Title - An outstanding claim or encumbrance that, if valid, will affect or impair the owner's title.

COFI - See Cost of Funds Index.

Collateral - Assets that back a mortgage loan.

Commission - Money paid to a real estate agent or broker by the seller (usually 6-7 percent of the sale price of the house).

Commitment - A formal offer by a lender to a borrower to make a loan under certain terms or conditions.

Condominium - A form of property ownership in which the homeowner holds title to an individual dwelling unit and an interest in common areas and facilities of a multi-unit project.

Conforming Loan - A mortgage loan under the maximum amount of loans FNMA and FHLMC are legally allowed to buy (as 3/2000 the maximum amounts for a single family home are $252,700 in the continental US and $379,050 in Alaska and Hawaii).

Construction Loan - A short-term, interim loan to fund the construction of buildings or homes, which usually advances the money to the builder as work progresses. After completion, a permanent loan is used to pay off the construction loan.

Contingency - A condition which must be satisfied before a contract is legally binding or before a sale can close.

Contract of Sale - An agreement between the buyer and seller on the purchase price, terms and conditions of a sale.

Conventional Loan - A mortgage not insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the VA.

Conversion Clause - A provision in some ARMs that allows you to change an ARM to a fixed-rate loan, usually after the first adjustment period.

Convertible ARMs - ARMs with the option of conversion to a fixed loan during a given time period.

Conveyance - The transfer of a deed, or possibly a lease or mortgage.

Cost of Funds Index (COFI) - An index of the weighted-average interest rate paid by savings institutions for sources of funds, usually by members of the 11th Federal Home Loan Bank District.

Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) - A document that defines a property's use, requirements and restrictions.

Credit Report - A report detailing the credit history of a prospective borrower that is used to help determine creditworthiness.

Credit Risk - The possibility that the borrower may default on financial obligations to the investor.

Debt-to-Income Ratio - 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 gross monthly income.

Deed - Legal document by which title to a property is transferred from one owner to another. The deed contains a description of the property, and is signed, witnessed and delivered to the buyer at closing.

Deed of Trust - Agreement to pledge property as security for a loan, used in many states in place of a mortgage. In such an arrangement, the borrower transfers legal title to a trustee, who holds the property in trust as security for the repayment of the debt.

Default - Failure to meet legal obligations in a contract, including failure to make payments on a loan. A mortgage is generally considered to be in default when a payment is 30 days past due.

Deferred Interest - Interest added to the balance of a loan when monthly payments are not sufficient to cover it. (See negative amortization.)

Delinquency - Failure to make payments on time.

Deposit - Cash paid to the seller when a formal sales contract is signed.

Depreciation - Decline in property value.

Discount Points (or Points) - Money paid to a lender at closing in exchange for lower interest rates. Each point is equal to 1 percent of the loan amount.

Documentary Stamps - A state tax, in the forms of stamps, required on deeds and mortgages when real estate title passes from one owner to another.

Document Review - Fee charged by lender for review of documents necessary to fund a loan.

Down Payment - Money paid for a house from one's own funds at closing. The down payment will be the difference between the purchase price and mortgage amount.

Due-on-Sale Clause - Provision in a mortgage or deed of trust allowing the lender to demand immediate payment of the loan balance upon sale of the property.

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Mortgage Terms E-F

Earnest Money - Deposit made by a buyer towards the down payment to show good faith when the purchase agreement is signed.

ECOA - See Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

Effective Interest Rate - The cost of a mortgage expressed as a yearly rate, which is usually higher than the interest rate on the mortgage.

Encumbrance - A legal right or interest in a property that affects title and lessens the property value. Encumbrances can take the form of claims, liens, unpaid taxes, etc.

Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) - Federal law requiring 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.

Equity - The percentage of property value held by the owner; the difference between the current market value of a property and the outstanding mortgage balance.

Equity Loan - A loan based on the borrower's equity in his or her home.

Escrow - 1. Neutral third party appointed to act as a custodian for documents and funds during the transfer of property from seller to buyer. 2. Account held by lender containing funds collected as part of mortgage payments for annual expenses such as taxes and insurance, so that the homeowner does not have to collect a large sum when these fall due.

Escrow Waiver - When a buyer borrows less than 80 percent of the cost of the house, he may pay a one-time fee and elect not to open an escrow account, but to pay the hazard insurance and property taxes himself.

Fannie Mae - See Federal National Mortgage Association.

Farmer's Home Administration (FmHA) - An agency, within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that provides financing for purchasers of homes and farms in small towns and rural areas.

FDIC - See Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) - Independent deposit insurance agency created by Congress to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation's banking system.

Federal Home Loan Bank Board (FHLBB) - Former name for the regulatory and supervisory agency for federally chartered savings institutions, now called the Office of Thrift Supervision.

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC, or Freddie Mac) - Quasi-governmental agency that purchases conventional mortgages from insured depository institutions and HUD-approved mortgage bankers.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) - Government agency that is a division of the Department of Housing and Urban Development which insures residential mortgage loans made by private lenders and sets standards for underwriting mortgage loans.

Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA, or Fannie Mae) - Corporation created by Congress that buys and sells residential mortgages, providing funds for one in seven mortgages.

Federal Reserve - Central bank of the United States and major regulatory agency for many commercial banks.

Fee Simple - Absolute ownership of real property.

FHA - See Federal Housing Administration.

FHA Loan - Loan insured by the FHA for low to middle income homes; open to all qualified home purchasers.

FHLBB - See Federal Home Loan Bank Board.

FHLMC - See Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

First Mortgage - A mortgage in first lien position that takes priority over all other liens. In the case of a foreclosure, the first mortgage will be repaid before any other mortgages.

Fixed Rate - An interest rate that is fixed for the term of the loan.

Fixed-Rate Mortgage - A mortgage whose interest rate does not change for the life of the loan. Payments are also fixed.

Flood Insurance - A form of hazard insurance required by lenders to cover properties in flood zones.

Floor - The minimum rate of interest payable on an adjustable-rate mortgage.

FmHA - See Farmer's Home Administration.

FNMA - See Federal National Mortgage Association.

Forbearance - Grace period given when a lender postpones foreclosure to give the borrower time to catch up on overdue payments.

Foreclosure (or Repossession) - Legal process by which the lender forces the sale of a property because the borrower has not met the mortgage terms.

Freddie Mac - See Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

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Mortgage Terms G-H

Ginnie Mae - See Government National Mortgage Association.

GNMA - See Government National Mortgage Association.

Good Faith Estimate - Written estimate of costs the borrower will have to pay at closing, provided by a lender within three days of the loan application.

Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA, or Ginnie Mae) - Government agency that provides funds for VA and FHA loans.

Graduated Payment Mortgage (GPM) - Mortgage in which initial low payments (with potential negative amortization) regularly increase for several years and then level off.

Grace Period - Period of time during which a loan payment may be made after its due date without incurring a late penalty.

Gross - Before taxes.

Gross Income - Total income before taxes or expenses are deducted.

Gross Monthly Income - The total amount earned by the borrower each month.

Growing Equity Mortgage - A fixed-rate loan in which payments increase by some pre-determined amount each year, thereby reducing the outstanding balance of the loan. This accelerated payment plan allows repayment of a 30-year loan in 15 to 20 years.

Guarantee - To assume liability for another's debts in the event of his default.

Guaranty - A promise by one party to pay a debt or perform an obligation contracted by another in case of that person's default.

Hazard Insurance - Protects the insured against loss due to fire or other natural disasters, in exchange for a premium paid to the insurer.

Home Equity Loan - A loan secured by the equity in your home. These are sought for a variety of purposes, including home improvements, major purchases or expenses, and debt consolidation. Interest paid is usually tax -deductible.

Homeowners Warranty - A type of insurance that covers repairs to specified parts of a house for a specific period of time.

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - A U.S. government agency established to implement federal housing and community development programs that oversees the Federal Housing Administration.

Housing Code - Local government ordinance that sets minimum standards of safety and sanitation for existing residential buildings.

Housing Expense-to-Income Ratio - The ratio, expressed as a percentage, which results when a borrower's housing expenses are divided by his/her gross monthly income.

HUD - See Housing and Urban Development.

HUD-I Settlement Statement - A form that itemizes the closing costs associated with purchasing a home.

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Mortgage Terms I-K

Impound (or Reserves) - Portion of a borrower's monthly payments held by the lender to pay for taxes, insurance and other items as they become due.

Impound Account - Savings account for accumulating that portion of a borrower's monthly payments designated for future payments of taxes and insurance.

Index - A published rate used by lenders to calculate interest adjustments on ARMs (Index+Margin=Interest Rate). Some indexes are more volatile than others. Some common indices are 1 year Treasury bills, COFI (Cost of Funds Index ) & 6 month LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate).

Initial Rate - The rate charged during the first interval of an ARM.

Insolvency - Condition of a person unable to pay debts as they fall due.

Interest - Charge paid for borrowing money, calculated as a percentage of the amount borrowed.

Interest Rate - The periodic charge, expressed as a percentage, for use of credit.

Interest Rate Cap - A safeguard built into ARMs to prevent drastic changes in interest rates.

Joint Liability - Liability shared among two or more people, each of whom is liable for the full debt.

Joint Tenancy - The ownership of property by two or more persons with the survivor taking the share of the deceased.

Jumbo Loan - A mortgage larger than the limits set by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. This amount is currently over $240,000 as of 1999.

Junior Mortgage - A mortgage subordinate or secondary to another mortgage. In the case of a foreclosure, a senior mortgage will be paid first.

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Mortgage Terms L-M

Late Charge - Penalty paid by a borrower when a payment is made after the due date.

Lease-Purchase Mortgage Loan - An alternative financing option that allows low- and moderate-income homebuyers to lease a home from a nonprofit organization with an option to buy.

Lender - The bank, mortgage company or mortgage broker that offers the loan.

LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) - The interest rate charged among banks for short-term Eurodollar loans, and a common index for ARMs.

Lien - A claim by one person on the property of another for payment of a debt.

Loan Administration (or Loan Servicing) - The collection of mortgage payments from borrowers and related responsibilities (such as handling escrows for property tax and insurance, foreclosing on defaulted loans and remitting payments to investors).

Loan Application - Document required by lenders prior to loan approval containing detailed information about the borrower and property.

Loan Application Fee - Fee paid by prospective buyer to a lender when applying for a mortgage.

Loan Origination Fee - Fee charged by a lender for processing a mortgage, usually expressed as a percentage of the loan (or points), that pays for the work in evaluating and processing the loan.

Loan Servicing (or Loan Administration) - The collection of mortgage payments from borrowers and related responsibilities (such as handling escrows for property tax and insurance, foreclosing on defaulted loans and remitting payments to investors).

Loan to Value Ratio (LTV) - The percentage of the property value borrowed. (Loan amount divided by property value equals LTV)

Lock or Lock In - A lender's guarantee of an interest rate for a set period of time, usually between loan application and loan closing, that protects the borrower against rate increases during that time.

Margin - The number of percentage points added to an index to calculate the interest rate on an ARM at each adjustment.

Marketable Title - A title that is free and clear of liens, clouds or other defects which would prevent the sale of the property.

Market Rate - The average rate charged by lenders for conventional, fixed-rate loans.

Market Value - The highest price that a buyer would pay for a property and the lowest price a seller would accept.

Monthly Housing Expense - Total monthly expense of principal, interest, taxes and insurance.

Mortgagee - The lender in a mortgage loan transaction.

Mortgage - Document creating a lien on a property as security for the payment of a debt.

Mortgage Banker - Originates and services mortgage loans, funding them with their own money.

Mortgage Broker - Arranges financing for borrowers, but places loans with lenders, rather than funding them with their own money.

Mortgage Insurance - Insurance purchased by a buyer to cover the lender's risk when a down payment is less than 20 percent of the purchase price.

MIP (Mortgage Insurance Premium) - Insurance purchased by borrower to insure against default on government (FHA or VA) loans.

Mortgage Loan - A loan for which real estate serves as collateral to provide for repayment in case of default.

Mortgage Note - Legal document obligating a borrower to repay a loan at a stated interest rate during a specified period of time. The agreement is secured by a mortgage.

Mortgagor - The borrower in a mortgage loan transaction.

Negative Amortization - Increase in principal balance occurring when monthly payments are not large enough to pay all interest due on a loan, usually caused when payment caps prevent sufficient payment increases.

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Mortgage Terms N-O

Net - After taxes.

Net Effective Income - Gross income minus federal income tax.

Non Assumption Clause - A statement in a mortgage contract forbidding the assumption of the mortgage by another borrower without the prior approval of the lender.

Non-conforming Loan - Loan larger than $214,600 that does not comply with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac guidelines.

Nondischargeable Debt - Debt, such as taxes, that cannot be forgiven in a bankruptcy liquidation.

Note - Legal document stating the terms of a debt and a promise to repay it.

Notice of Default - Written notice to a borrower that a default has occurred and that legal action may be taken.

Office of Comptroller Currency - The oldest federal financial regulatory body that oversees the nation's federally chartered banks.

Office of Thrift Supervision - Regulatory and supervisory agency for federally chartered savings institutions.

Origination Fee - Fee charged by a lender for processing a mortgage, usually expressed as a percentage of the loan (or points), that pays for the work in evaluating and processing the loan.

Owner Financing - A purchase in which the seller provides all or part of the financing.

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Mortgage Terms P-R

Payment Cap - Limit on the amount by which a borrower's ARM payments may increase, regardless of rise in interest rates. This may result in negative amortization.

Per Diem Interest - Interest calculated per day. (Depending on the day of the month on which closing takes place, you will have to pay interest from the date of closing to the end of the month.)

Permanent Loan - A long-term mortgage of 10 or more years.

PITI - Stands for Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance. The components of a monthly mortgage payment; also called monthly housing expenses.

Pledged Account Mortgage (PAM) - Money placed in this fund, plus earned interest, is gradually used to reduce mortgage payments.

Points (or Discount Points) - Interest prepaid to the lender at closing. Each point is equal to 1 percent of the loan amount. Paying more points at closing generally reduces the interest rate (and therefore monthly payments) on a loan.

Power of Attorney - Legal document authorizing one person to act on behalf of another.

Prepaid Expenses - Taxes, insurance and assessments paid in advance of their due dates, including at closing.

Prepaid Interest - Charged to a borrower at closing to cover interest on the loan between closing and the first payment.

Prepayment - Full or partial payment of the principal before the due date. This might occur if the borrower makes extra payments, sells the property, or refinances the existing loan.

Prepayment Penalty - Fee charged by a lender for early payment of debt.

Prequalification - The process of determining how much money a prospective homebuyer will be eligible to borrow prior to applying for a loan.

Primary Mortgage Market - Includes banks, savings and loans, credit unions and mortgage bankers who make mortgage loans directly to borrowers.

Prime Rate - Lowest commercial interest rate charged by a bank to its most creditworthy customers on short-term loans.

Principal - The amount of debt - not counting interest - remaining on a loan.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) - Insurance purchased by a buyer to protect the lender against default when a down payment is less than 20 percent of the purchase price.

Profit and Loss Statement - Financial statement showing sales, expenses and profits over a period of time.

Property Tax - A government tax based on a property's market value.

Purchase Agreement - Contract signed by buyer and seller stating the terms and conditions under which a property will be sold.

Qualifying Ratio - Comparison of a borrower's expenses to his income.

Real Estate Broker - An agent who represents a buyer or seller in a real estate transaction.

Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act - Law requiring lenders to give borrowers advance notice of closing costs.

Real Property - Land and everything that is permanently affixed to it.

Realtor - Real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors.

Recision - The cancellation of a contract, permitted by law within three days of signing a mortgage not used to purchase a home.

Reclamation - The right of the person with title to a property to recover it from the debtor in case of bankruptcy.

Reconveyance - The transfer of property back to the owner when a mortgage is fully repaid.

Recording - The act of entering property title documents into the public records.

Recording Fee - Money paid to an agent for entering the sale of a property into the public records.

Refinancing - The process of paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan secured by the same property.

Rent With Option To Buy - See Lease-purchase mortgage loan.

Repossession (or Foreclosure) - Legal process by which the lender forces the sale of a property because the borrower has not met terms of the mortgage.

RESPA - See Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.

Reverse Annuity Mortgage (RAM) - Mortgage used by the elderly in which the lender makes periodic payments to the borrower using the borrower's equity in the home.

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Mortgage Terms S-T

Sale Agreement - Contract signed by buyer and seller stating the terms and conditions under which a property will be sold.

Satisfaction - Payment of a debt to satisfy an obligation.

Secondary Mortgage Market - The market into which primary mortgage lenders sell the mortgages they make to obtain funds to originate more new loans. Includes investors like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Second Mortgage - A subordinate mortgage made in addition to a first mortgage.

Servicing (or Loan Administration) - The collection of mortgage payments from borrowers and related responsibilities (such as handling escrows for property tax and insurance, foreclosing on defaulted loans and remitting payments to investors).

Settlement (or Closing) - Meeting between the buyer, seller and lender, or their agents, at which property and funds legally change hands.

Settlement Costs - See Closing costs.

Settlement Cost (HUD guide) - Booklet that provides an overview of the lending process that is given to consumers after completing a loan application.

Settlement Sheet - The computation of costs payable at closing which determines the seller's net proceeds and the buyer's net payment.

Shared Appreciation Mortgage (SAM) - Loan in which the borrower is given a below-market interest rate and the lender receives a portion of the future appreciation of the property value.

Simple Interest - Interest which is computed only on the principal balance.

Subsidized Second Mortgage - An alternative financing option for low- and moderate-income households that also includes a down payment and a first mortgage.

Survey - A measurement of land prepared by a licensed surveyor, showing a property's boundaries, elevations, improvements and relationship to surrounding tracts.

Sweat Equity - Value added to a property after improvements are made by the owner.

Tax Impound - Money paid to and held by a lender for annual tax payments. See Impound Account.

Tax Lien - Claim against a property for unpaid taxes.

Tax Sale - Public sale of property by a government authority as a result of non-payment of taxes.

Term - The number of years it will take to pay off a loan.

Title - Document which gives evidence of ownership of a property.

Title Company - A company that insures title to property.

Title Insurance - Insurance which protects the lender (lender's policy) or the buyer (owner's policy) against loss due to disputes over ownership of a property.

Title Search - Examination of municipal records to ensure that the seller is the legal owner of a property and that there are no liens or other claims against the property.

Transfer Tax - Tax paid when title passes from one owner to another.

Trust Account - Account maintained by a broker or escrow company to handle all money collected for clients.

Trustee - Someone given legal responsibility to hold property in the best interest of another.

Truth-in-Lending Act - Federal law requiring written disclosure of the terms of a mortgage (including the APR and other charges) by a lender to a borrower after application.

Two-Step Mortgage - Mortgage with a low fixed interest rate for 5, 7 or 10 years, which is then adjusted to a new rate for the rest of the loan.

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Mortgage Terms U-Z

Underwriting - The process of verifying data and evaluating a loan for approval.

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

VA Loan - Home loan that is available to veterans with little or no down payment and is guaranteed by the U.S. Veteran's Administration.

Variable Rate Mortgage - See Adjustable Rate Mortgage.

Variable Rate - Interest rate that changes periodically in relation to an index.

Verification of Deposit (VOD) - Document signed by the borrower's bank or other financial institution verifying the borrower's account balance and history.

Verification of Employment (VOE) - Document signed by the borrower's employer verifying the borrower's position and salary.

Waiver - Voluntary relinquishment of some right or privilege.

Walk-through - A final inspection of a home to check for problems that may need to be corrected before closing.

Warehouse Fee - Mortgage firms often borrow funds on a short term basis in order to originate loans that will later be sold to investors in the secondary mortgage market. When the prime rate of interest is higher on short term loans than on mortgage loans, the mortgage firm has an economic loss which is offset by charging a warehouse fee.

Warehousing - A loan is said to be in a lender's warehouse before it is sold to investors in the secondary mortgage market.

Wraparound Mortgage - Loan arrangement in which an existing loan is combined with a new loan, resulting in an interest rate somewhere between the old rate and the current market rate.

Zoning Ordinances (or Zoning Regulations) - Local law establishing building codes and usage regulations for properties in a specified area.

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