Mortgage Glossary

Run across a loan term you haven’t seen before? Are you “almost sure” what that term your mortgage banker used means … but not entirely? Our mortgage glossary will help you to speak to mortgage professionals with confidence.

Acceleration Clause

Additional Principal Payment

Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)

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).

Adjusted Basis

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

Adjustment Date

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

Adjustment Period

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

Affordability Analysis

An analysis of a buyers 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.

Amortization

The gradual repayment of a mortgage loan, both principal and interest, by equal monthly installments.

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.

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.

Appraisal

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

Appraised Value

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

Asset

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

Assignment

The transfer of a mortgage from one company to another.

Assumability

An assumable mortgage can be transferred from the seller to the new buyer. Always 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.

Assumption Fee

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

Balance Sheet

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

Balloon Mortgage

A mortgage with equal monthly payments that amortizes over a stated term but also requires that a lump sum payment be paid at the end of the term.

Balloon Payment

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

Before-tax Income

Income before taxes are deducted.

Bridge Loan

A short term loan that is collateralized by the borrower’s present home allowing the proceeds to be used to close on a new house before the present home is sold. 

Broker

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

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.

Cap

Limits how much the interest rate or the monthly payment can increase on an ARM loan at each adjustment and over the life of the mortgage.

Certificate of Eligibility

A document issued by the federal government certifying a veteran’s eligibility for a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mortgage.

Certificate of Reasonable Value (CRV)

A document issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that establishes the maximum value and loan amount for a VA mortgage.

Change Frequency

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

Closing

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

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.

Consumer Reporting Agency (or Bureau)

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.

Conversion Clause

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.

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.

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 350 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.

Deed of Trust

The document used in some states instead of a mortgage. Title is conveyed to a trustee.

Default

Failure to make mortgage payments on a timely basis or to comply with other requirements of a mortgage.

Delinquency

Failure to make mortgage payments on time.

Down Payment

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

Effective Gross Income

A borrowers 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.

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.

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.

Escrow Disbursements

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

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.

FHA Mortgage

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

FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP)

The amount paid by a mortgagor for mortgage insurance in an FHA loan transaction.

FICO Score

FICO® scores are the most widely used credit score in U.S. mortgage loan underwriting. This 3-digit number, ranging from 350 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.

First Mortgage

The primary lien against a property.

Fixed Installment

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

Fixed-Rate Mortgage (FRM)

A mortgage interest that is fixed throughout the entire life of the loan.

Fully Amortized ARM

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.

Housing Expense Ratio

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

Index

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  a published number or percentage, such as the average interest rate or yield on Treasury bills, used to establish adjustment of an ARM loan. Some index rates tend to be higher than others and some more volatile.

Initial Interest Rate

This rate changes for an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). This refers to the original interest rate of the mortgage at the time of closing. 

Installment

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

Insured Mortgage

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

Interest

The fee charged for borrowing money.

Interest Accrual Rate

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

Interest Rate Buydown Plan

An arrangement that allows the property seller or buyer to deposit money to an account. That money is then released each month to reduce the mortgagor’s monthly payments during the buy down period of the mortgage.

Interest Rate Ceiling

Interest Rate Floor

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

Late Charge

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

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.

Liabilities

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

Lifetime Payment Cap

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

Lifetime Rate Cap

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

Liquid Asset

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

Loan

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

Loan Estimate

A document that provides an itemized listing of the funds that are payable at closing. Items that appear on the statement include real estate commissions, loan fees, points, and initial escrow amounts. 

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.

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 approval of the loan application.

Margin

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

Maturity

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

Monthly Fixed Installment

That portion of the total monthly payment that is applied toward principal and interest. 

Mortgage

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

Mortgage Banker

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

Mortgage Broker

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

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.

Mortgagor

The borrower in a mortgage agreement.

Net Worth

The value of the difference between a person’s assets, liabilities and cash.

Non Liquid Asset

An asset that cannot easily be converted into cash.

Note

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

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.

Payment Change Date

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

Periodic Rate Cap

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. The monthly payment adjusts with the interest rate adjustment.

PITI Reserves

Cash reserve 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).

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. Paying points upfront reduces your interest rate payment over the life of the loan.

Prepayment Penalty

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

Pre-Approval

The process of determining how much money you will be eligible to borrow before you apply for a loan.

Prime Rate

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

Principal

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

Principal Balance

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Real Estate Agent

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

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.

Recording

The noting in the registrar’s office of the details of a properly executed legal document, such as a deed, a satisfaction of mortgage, or an extension of mortgage, thereby making it a part of the public record.

Refinance 

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

Secondary Mortgage Market

Where existing mortgages are bought and sold.

Security

Improved real property that will be provided as collateral for a loan.

Seller Carry-back

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

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.

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.

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.

Total Expense Ratio

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

Treasury Index

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.

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.

VA Mortgage

A mortgage that is guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Also known as a government mortgage.

Source: Ellie Mae, Inc.