A summary of the public records relating to the title to a particular piece of land. An attorney or title insurance company reviews an abstract of title to determine whether there are any title defects which must be cleared before a buyer can purchase clear, marketable, and insurable title.

Condition in a mortgage that may require the balance of the loan to become due immediately, if regular mortgage payments are not made or the sale of the property.

The buildup of land from natural forces such as wind or water.

As a verb, the confirmation by a party executing a legal document that this is his signature and a voluntary act. This confirmation is made to an authorized officer of the Court or notary public who signs a statement also called an acknowledgment.

Is a mortgage in which the interest rate is adjusted periodically based on a preselected index. Also sometimes known as the re-negotiable rate mortgage, the variable rate mortgage.

On an adjustable rate mortgage, the time between changes in the interest rate an/or monthly payment, typically one, three or five years, depending on the index.

A relationship in which the agent is given the authority to act on behalf of another person (Principal).

Monthly loan payment calculated to pay off the debt at the end of a fixed period, including accrued interest on the outstanding balance.

An interest rate reflecting the cost of a mortgage as a yearly rate. This rate is likely to be higher than the stated note rate or advertised rate on the mortgage, because it takes into account points and other credit costs. The APR allows homebuyers to compare different types of mortgages based on the total cost for each loan.

An estimate of the value of the property, require the appraiser to be licensed in that state. To comply with lending requirements, lenders/loan originators must order the appraisal.

A local tax levied against a property for a specific purpose, such as a sewer or street lights.

The agreement between buyer and seller where the buyer takes over the payments on an existing mortgage from the seller. Assuming a loan can usually save the buyer money since this is an existing mortgage debt, unlike a new mortgage where closing costs and new, possibly high, market-rate interest charges will apply.

Mortgage usually a short-term fixed-rate loan which involves small payments for a certain period of time and one large payment for the remaining amount of the principal at the time specified in the contract.

A person named to receive a benefit for a TRUST. A contingent beneficiary has conditions attached to his rights, usually someone else must die first.

When the lender and/or the home builder subsidizes the mortgage by lowering the interest rate during the first few years of the loan. Rates do rise during the term, however the initial lower rate helps the borrower qualify for an amount they may otherwise not qualify for. This is an excellent instrument for those who anticipate the ability to pay slightly increasing payments in subsequent years.

Consumer safeguards which limit the amount the interest rate on an adjustable mortgage may change per year and/or the life of the loan.

Consumer safeguards which limit the amount monthly payments on an adjustable rate mortgage may change.

The document given to qualified veterans which entitles them to VA guaranteed loans for the homes, businesses, and mobile homes. Certificates of eligibility may be obtained by sending DD-214 (Separation Paper) to the local VA office with a VA form 1880 (request for Certificate of Eligibility).

A certificate issued by a local government body stating that the building is in a condition to be occupied.

The meeting between the buyer, seller, and lender at the agent’s escrow company where the property and funds legally change hands. Also called a settlement meeting or escrow closing.

Usually include an origination fee, discount points, appraisal fee, title search and insurance, survey, taxes, deed recording fee, credit report charge and other costs assessed at settlement.

An evidence of encumbrances.

An agreement, often in writing, between a lender and a borrower to loan money at a future date subject to the completion of paperwork or compliance with stated conditions.

Covenants, conditions, and restrictions. The basic rules establishing the rights and obligations of owners of real property within a subdivision or other tract of land in relation to other owners within the same subdivision or tract and in relation to an association of owners organized for the purpose of operating and maintaining property commonly owned by the individual owners.

A mortgage not insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA or Farmers Home Administration (FMHA).

The written document conveying real property. The Deed must be executed (signed), ACKNOWLEDGED, and DELIVERED to the Grantee. Once recorded at the Courthouse, the original piece of paper is not needed to convey title in the future.

A voluntary lien to secure a debt deeding the property to Trustees who foreclose, sell the property at public auction, in the event of default on the Note the Deed of Trust secures.

Failure to meet legal obligations in a contract, specifically, failure to make the monthly payments on a mortgage.

Failure to make payments on time. This can lead to foreclosure.

Prepaid interest assessed at closing by the lender. Each point is equal to 1 percent of the loan amount (e.g. two points on a $100,000 mortgage would cost $2,000).

Money paid to make up the difference between the purchase price and mortgage amount. Down payments usually are 10 percent to 20 percent of the sales price on Conventional loans, and no money down up to 5 percent of FHA and VA loans.

A provision in a mortgage or deed of trust that allows the lender to demand immediate payment of the balance of the mortgage if the mortgage holder sells the home.

Money given by a buyer to a seller as part of the purchase price to bind a transaction or assure payment.

Any lien, liability or charge against a property.

Is a federal law that requires lenders and other 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.

The difference between the fair near market value and current indebtedness, also referred to as the owner’s interest.

Refers to a neutral third party who carries out the instructions of both the buyer and seller to handle all the paperwork of settlement or “closing.” Escrow may also refer to an account held by the lender into which the homebuyer pays money for tax or insurance payments.

See Federal National Mortgage Association

Also called Freddie Mac, is a quasi-government agency that purchases conventional mortgages from insured depository institutions and HUD-approved mortgage bankers.

A division of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Its main activity is the insuring of residential mortgage loans made by private lenders. FHA also sets standards for underwriting mortgages.

Also known as Fannie Mae. A taxpaying corporation created by Congress that purchases and sells conventional residential mortgages as well as those insured by FHA or guaranteed by VA. This institution, which provides funds for one in seven mortgages, makes mortgage money more available and more affordable.

The absolute total interest in real property. An affiliate of the Federal Home Loan Bank which creates a secondary money market in conventional residential loans and in FHA and VA loans by purchasing mortgage loans from members of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Home Loan Bank Systems.

A relationship of trust and confidence between principal and agent; lawyer and client; doctor and patient; etc.

A mortgage on which the interest rate is set for the term of the loan.

A legal procedure in which property securing debt is sold by the lender to pay a defaulting borrower’s debt.

See Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

A type of flexible-payment mortgage where the payments increase for a specified period of time and then level off. This type of mortgage has negative amortization built into it.

The total amount the borrower earns per month, before any expenses are deducted.

A form of insurance in which the insurance company protects the insured from specified losses, such as fire, windstorm, and the like.

A declaration filed in the land records that an individual is asserting his homestead exemption. That exemption allows one to protect some assets (amount varies by state) against the claims of creditors.

The ratio, expressed as a percentage, which results when a borrower’s housing expenses are divided by his/her net effective income (VA loans) or gross monthly income (conventional loans).

That portion of a borrower’s monthly payments held by the lender or servicer to pay for taxes, hazard insurance, mortgage insurance, lease payments, and other items as they become due. Also known as reserves.

A published interest rate against which lenders measure the difference between the current interest rate on an adjustable rate mortgage and that earned by other investments (such as one, three, and five year US Treasury Security yields, the monthly average interest rate on loans closed by savings and loan institutions, and the monthly average Cost-of-Funds Index), which is then used to adjust the interest rate on an adjustable mortgage up or down.

A construction loan made during completion of a building or a project. A permanent loan usually replaces this loan after completion.

Money source for a lender.

Two or more persons own a property. Joint tenants with the common law right of survivorship means the survivor inherits the property automatically.

A judgment is a lien against all real property owned by the judgment debtor in the county where the judgment is docketed (recorded).

A loan which is larger than the limits set by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. These loans usually carry a slightly higher interest rate.

A claim upon a piece of property for the payment or satisfaction of a debt or obligation.

With regard to an adjustable rate mortgage, a ceiling the note rate cannot exceed over the life of the loan.

Recorded document showing a pending litigation filed in the court. These show up on the preliminary title report and must be dealt with when transferring ownership or refinancing.

The loan application is the source of information on which the lender bases a decision to make the loan; defines the term of the loan, gives the name(s) of the borrowers(s), place of employment, salary, bank accounts and credit references, and describes the real estate that is to be mortgaged. It also stipulates the amount of the loan being applied for and the repayment terms.

An individual in the business of assisting in arranging funding or negotiating contracts for a client but who does not loan the money himself. You, the consumer, typically pay no additional costs for this service.

The relationship between the amount of the mortgage loan and the appraised value of the property expressed as a percentage.

The amount a lender adds to the index on an adjustable rate mortgage to establish the adjusted interest rate.

The highest price that a buyer would pay and the lowest price a seller would accept on a property. Market value may be different from the price a property could actually be sold for at a given time.

A voluntary lien filed against property to secure a debt, usually a loan. To foreclose, the lender must often institute a court action and the borrower may have the right to reclaim the property after foreclosure. Compare, Deed of Trust.

Money paid to insure the mortgage when the down payment is less than 20 percent. See Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI Mortgage Insurance.

The lender.

The borrower of homeowner.

Occurs when your monthly payments are not large enough to pay all the interest due on the loan. This unpaid interest is added to the unpaid balance of the loan. The danger of negative amortization is that the homebuyer ends up owing more than the original amount of the loan.

A written promise to pay a certain sum of money at a certain time. A negotiable note starts “Pay to the order of” and is transferable by endorsement similar to a check.

One authorized by law to acknowledge and certify documents and signatures.

The fee charged by a lender to prepare loan documents, make credit checks, inspect and sometimes appraise a property, usually computed as a percentage of face value of the loan.

Principal, interest, taxes, and insurance. Also called monthly housing expenses.

Prepaid interest assessed at closing by the lender. Each point is equal to 1 percent of the loan amount (e.g. two points on a $100,000 mortgage would cost $2,000).

A legal document authorizing one person to act on behalf of another.

Expenses necessary to create an escrow account or to adjust the seller’s existing escrow account. Can include taxes, hazard insurance, private mortgage insurance and special assessments.

Money charged for an early repayment of debt. Prepayment penalties are allowed in some form (but not necessarily imposed) in 36 states and the District of Columbia.

The amount of debt, not counting interest, left on a loan.

In the event that you do not have a 20 percent (set to adjust periodically) down payment, lenders will allow a smaller down payment – as low as 5 percent in some cases. With the smaller down payment loans, however, borrowers are usually required to carry private mortgage insurance. Private mortgage insurance will require an initial premium payment, and additional monthly fees of from .3 to .5 percent, depending on your loan’s structure.

A written unsecured note promising to pay a specified amount of money on demand, transferable to a third party.

Seller financing as a part of the purchase price.

A deed releasing whatever interest you may hold in a property but making no warranty whatsoever.

A member of National Association of Realtors.

The cancellation of a contract. With respect to mortgage refinancing, the law that gives the homeowner three days to cancel a contract in some cases once it is signed if the transaction uses equity in the home as security.

Money paid to the lender for recording a home sale with the local authorities, thereby making it part of public records.

RESPA is a federal law that allows consumers to review information on known or estimated settlement costs once before application and once prior to or at settlement. The law requires lenders to furnish information after application only.

A market for the purpose of purchase and sale of existing mortgages usually at discounted prices to provide greater liquidity to the mortgagee/lender.

All the steps and operations a lender performs to keep a loan in good standing, such as collection of payments, payment of taxes, insurance, property inspections and the like.

See Closing.

See Closing Costs.

Two or more persons own the property with no right of survivorship so, if one dies, his/her interest passes on to his/her heirs, not necessarily to the co-owner. One may not sue the other to partition the property. A creditor of one may not claim the property or the proceeds of sale.

A document that gives evidence of an individual’s ownership of property.

A policy, usually issued by a Title Insurance company, which insures a homebuyer against errors in the title search. The cost of the policy is usually a function of the value of the property, and is often paid by the purchaser and/or seller.

An examination of municipal records to determine the legal ownership of property. Usually is performed by a title company.

A right to or in property held for the benefit of another. A trust may be written or implied. An implied trust is called a Constructive Trust.

A federal law requiring disclosure of the Annual Percentage Rate to homebuyers shortly after they apply for the loan.

A mortgage in which the borrower receives a below-market interest rate for a specified number of years (most often seven or ten years), and then receives a new interest rate adjusted (within certain limits) to market conditions at that time.

The decision whether to make a loan to a potential homebuyer based on credit, employment, assets, and other factors and the matching of this risk to an appropriate rate and term or loan amount.

A long-term, low-or no-down payment loan guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Restricted to individuals qualified by military service or other entitlements.

See Adjustable Rate Mortgage.

A document signed by the borrower’s financial institution verifying the status and balance of his/her financial accounts.

A document signed by the borrower’s employer verifying the status and balance of his/her financial accounts.

Regulation of private land use and development by local government.