Glossary Flashcards
Acceleration Clause
A clause in a mortgage or deed of trust that allows the lender to demand immediate repayment of the balance of a loan under certain conditions, such as default by the borrower.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
Mortgage in which the rate is adjusted periodically based on a pre-determined margin, index and adjustment interval.
Adjustment Interval
The period elapsing between adjustment dates for an ARM aka: Adjustment period, change frequency.
Adjustments (In Appraisal)
The dollar value that is added to or subtracted from the sale price of a comparable property used to provide an indication of value of the subject property.
Adverse Action
A refusal to grant credit as requested; a termination of an account or an unfavorable change in the terms of an account; or a refusal to increase the amount of credit available to a person who has applied for an increase.
Agency
Legal relationship created by law/contract in which the agent performs certain acts on behalf of the principal.
Air Loan
An instance where a fictitious borrower obtains a mortgage loan “secured” by fictitious property.
Amortization
Scheduling the periodic payments on a loan so that each installment requires enough principal an interest to ensure complete repayment of the loan by the end of its term.
Amortization Schedule
A table showing the portion of each payment that will be applied to interest and to principal, and the remaining balance.
Annual Mortgage Insurance Premium (Annual MIP)
A fee paid for mortgage insurance on an FHA-insured loan. Annual MIP is paid on a monthly basis.
Annual Percentage Rate
Measurement of the loan cost, including interest and financed costs of closing, expressed as a yearly percentage rate.
Annuity
Payments made at specified intervals, such as with insurance contracts or certain types of investments.
Appraisal
An opinion of the fair market value of a property, based on analysis of the property aka: Valuation
Appraised Value
An estimate of the fair market value of real or personal property.
Appreciation
An increase in the value of property that occurs over time.
APR Threshold
One of several standards used to identify high-cost mortgage loans. If the APR of a loan meets or exceeds the threshold established under the law, the loan qualifies as a high-cost mortgage and must comply with corresponding regulations.
Asset
Things that a person owns and that can be converted to cash, such as property, investments, savings, etc.
Assignment
The transfer of the rights and obligations under a mortgage loan from one person to another.
Assumability Clause
A provision in a mortgage loan that allows for the transfer of the mortgage from one party to another.
Assumable Mortgage
A mortgage that a seller can transfer to a new buyer, with the buyer taking over the payments of the existing mortgage.
Average Prime Offer Rate (APOR)
An annual percentage rate based on average interest rates, fees, and other terms that are offered to qualified borrowers. The APOR is used as a benchmark rate in identifying high-cost loans and higher-priced loans under federal law.
Back-End Ratio
Comparison of a person’s total monthly obligations to his or her gross monthly income aka: Total Debt Ratio.
Balloon Mortgage
Mortgage with periodic payments including a scheduled payment, usually the final payment, that is considerably larger than preceding payments.
Balloon Payment
A scheduled payment (often the final payment) that is more than twice the amount of other average scheduled loan payments.
Basis Point
One 100th of 1% of the loan amount (0.0001 x loan amount = 1 basis point).
Bi-Weekly Payment Mortgage
A plan to reduce debt by making payments every two weeks instead of every month.
Bona Fide
In good faith and without fraud.
Borrower Credit
Credits at closing that are subtracted from the final closing costs.
Bridge Loan
Short-term loan collateralized by the present home and used to close on a new house before the present home is sold.
CAPS (FOR ARMS)
Limitations on the amount by which the rate or payment on an ARM may change. There are four caps in common use.
Initial Rate Cap
Limit on the amount by which the rate can increase during the first adjustment period for an ARM.
Periodic Rate Cap
Limit on the amount by which a rate can change during any adjustment periods.
Lifetime Rate Cap
Limit on the amount by which the rate can change over the life of an ARM aka: Rate Ceiling
Payment Cap
Limit on the amount by which the payment can change during an adjustment period.
Certificate of Eligibility
The document that qualified veterans must obtain from the VA in order to apply for a VA guaranteed home loan.
Certificate of Reasonable Value (CRV)
A statement issued by the VA showing the property’s current market value based on a VA-approved appraisal.
Certificate of Title
A statement provided by an abstract company, title company, or attorney, stating that the title of real estate is legally held by the current owner.
Changed Circumstance
Acts of God, war, disaster, or other emergency, information particular to the borrower or transaction relied on providing an LE and subsequently found to be inaccurate, new information particular to the borrower/transaction that was not relied on in providing the LE; or other circumstances particular to the borrower/transaction.
Charm Booklet
A disclosure booklet used to educate consumers on the risks associated with adjustable rate mortgages.
Clear Title
Generally, a title that is clear of liens, judgements and other encumbrances.
Clerical or Support Duties
Receipt, collection, distribution and analysis of information for the processing or underwriting of a mortgage loan.
Closed-End Loan
Transaction in which the creditor disburses all funds at closing and demands repayment within a specified time.
Closing
Meeting between the buyer, seller and lender, where funds for the purchase of real estate legally change hands.
Closing Disclosure
A federal disclosure that provides a statement of the final costs of a mortgage lending transaction.
Cloud on Title
An outstanding claim or encumbrance on the title.
Collateral
Property pledged as security for a debt.
Combined Loan-To-Value Ratio
A comparison, expressed as a percentage, of the combined cost of all mortgages on a home and the value of the home used to secure the loans.
Commitment
A pledge or promise; a firm agreement.
Conforming Loan
A loan that meets the lending limits and other criteria established by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
Construction Loan
An interim loan used to pay for the construction of buildings or homes.
Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA)
An organization that prepares reports used by lenders to determine an applicant’s credit history.
Consumation
The time at which the consumer becomes contractually obligated by a transaction.
Conventional Loan
A mortgage that is not insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the VA or USDA.
Conversion Clause
A provision in an ARM allowing the loan to be converted to a fixed rate at some point during its term.
Conveyance
The transfer of the title of real estate from one person to another.
Credit Life Insurance
A declining term life insurance policy used to ensure repayment of a loan should the borrower die.
Credit Report
A report documenting the credit history an current status of a borrower’s credit standing.
Credit Repository
An organization that gathers, records, updates and stores financial and public records information about the payment records of individuals who are being considered for credit.
Creditor
A person or entity to whom an obligation is owed, such as a loan. See also Lender.
Currency Transaction Report (CTR)
A report that must be filed for each transaction in currency of more than $10,000 by or through a bank.
Cursory Inspection
An inadequate inspection of property in an attempt to conceal misrepresentations or omissions.
Debt-To-Income Ratio
Relationship, expressed as a percentage, between a borrower’s monthly obligations and his/her gross monthly income.
Debtor
A person who owes a debt to a creditor or lender. See also Borrower.
Deed
A written instrument, properly signed and delivered, that conveys title to real property.