GLOSSARY
adjustable rate mortgages (ARM): A mortgage that permits the lender to adjust its interest rate periodically on the basis of changes in a specified index.
amortization: Repayment of a loan in regular equal installments that pay both the principal and interest.
amortization schedule: A timetable for payment of a mortgage showing the amount of each payment applied to interest and principal and the balance remaining.
annual percentage rate (APR): The total yearly cost of a mortgage stated as a percentage of the loan amount; includes such items as the interest rate, mortgage insurance, and loan origination fee.
appraisal: A professional estimate of the value of a property.
appreciate: Increase in value due to home improvements, economic conditions, or other external factors.
assumption: The transfer of a seller's existing mortgage to the buyer.
buyer's agent: A real estate agent acting as the exclusive agent for the buyer.
clear title: A title that is free of any liens or legal questions as to the ownership of the property.
closing: A meeting at which the sale of a property is finalized by the signing of necessary documents, and the disbursement and payment of closing costs.
closing costs: Expenses, over and above the price of the property, that are incurred by the buyer and seller in transferring ownership.
contingency: A condition that must be met before the contract is legally binding.
conventional loan: A mortgage loan that is made by a bank, mortgage company, or savings and loan, and is not insured by the government.
credit report: A statement of a person's credit history.
deed: The legal document conveying title to a property.
down payment: The part of the purchase price which the buyer pays in cash and does not finance with a mortgage.
dual agency: A situation where the agent for the buyer and the agent for the seller work within the same agency.
dual agent: When the agent for the buyer and the agent for the seller is the same person.
escrow: 1) An account set up by the lender for the borrower into which regular payments are made for future taxes and/or insurance premiums. The lender then pays the taxes and/or premiums from the account when they are due. 2) The holding of documents and money by a neutral third party prior to closing.
fixed-rate mortgage: A mortgage in which the interest rate does not change during the entire term of the loan.
foreclosure: The legal process by which a mortgaged property may be sold when a mortgage is not repaid.
government loan: A mortgage loan that is insured, guaranteed and/or funded by a government agency.
gross monthly income: Total income before any expenses or taxes are deducted.
hand money: A deposit made by the potential home buyer to show that they are serious about buying the house.
hazard insurance: An insurance policy that covers physical damage to a property from fire, wind, or other hazards.
homeowner's insurance: An insurance policy that combines personal liability coverage and hazard insurance coverage for a home and its contents.
home warranty: An insurance policy that covers repairs to specified parts of a house for a limited period of time.
interest: The fee charged for borrowing money.
inflation rider: A clause in a homeowner's insurance policy that increases the coverage as the value of the house increases.
liens: A legal claim against a property that must be paid off before the property can be sold.
maturity: The end of the term of the mortgage loan when all principal and interest have been paid.
mortgage: A legal document that pledges the property to the lender as security for payment of a debt.
notary public: A person who is authorized by the state to vouch for the authenticity of signatures on legal documents.
point: A one-time interest rate discount charged by the lender. A point is equal to 1% of the loan amount.
premium: A general term for the money paid for an insurance policy.
prepayment penalty: An extra charge for repaying all or part of loan before it is due.
principal: 1) The amount of money that is borrowed. 2) The part of the monthly payment that reduces the outstanding balance of a mortgage.
private mortgage insurance (PMI): Insurance provided by non-government insurers that protects the lender against loss if a borrower does not repay their loan.
property taxes: A tax charged on property, usually based on its value.
refinancing: The process of paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan using the same property as security.
seller's agent: The real estate agent representing the seller of the property.
settlement: See "closing."
survey: A drawing and/or marking of the legal boundaries of a property, the location of improvements, rights of way, encroachments, and other physical features.
title: A legal document that is evidence of a person's ownership of a property.
title company: A company that specializes in examining and insuring titles to real estate property.
title search: A check of the title records to ensure that the seller is the legal owner of the property and that there are no liens or other outstanding claims against it.
underwriting: The process of evaluating a loan application to determine the risk involved for the lender.
waiver: A legal document stating that a right, benefit or claim is being given up voluntarily.