Glossary Flashcards
Acceleration Clause
A clause in a security instrument that gives the lender the right to demand payment of the entire principal balance if a monthly payment is missed.
Acquisition Cost
In FHA lending, the total amount needed to complete the purchase of a home. It is calculated by adding the sales price to the allowable closing cost, as determined by FHA. In construction lending, it is the cost to construction to construct plus the amount to purchase the land
Actual/actual (A/A)
A type of loan servicing remittance requiring the lender to remit to an investor only principal and interest payments actually collected from borrowers.
Adjustment period
The period between interest rate adjustments for an ARM loan
Adjustment date
The date on which the note interest rate changes for an ARM loan.
Advance commitment
A written promise to make an investment or buy a loan or loans at some time in the future if specified conditions are met.
Adverse action
Can mean either a straight denial by the lender of the terms applied for, or that the applicant does not accept a counteroffer by the lender.
Allodial System
Owner of real estate has title irrespective of the sovereign and thus owes no duty, such as rent or the rendering of military service, to the sovereign,
Amortization
Repayment of a debt in regular installments of principal and interest, rather than interest-only payments.
Amortization schedule
A timetable for the payment of a mortgage loan that shows the amount of each payment that is applied to interest and to principal; shows the remaining principal balance after each payment.
Annual Percentage Rate ( APR)
The cost of a mortgage stated as ayearly rate. The APR includes interest. loan origination points. discount points prepaid fees. mortgage insurance. and other fees that are required to be paid for credit to be granted. APR does not include appraisal fee. credit report cost, an some other third party fees.
Application
As defined by RESPA, it requires a minimum of six items, applicant name, income, social security, number (or equivalent), loan amount, property address, property value, and any other information the loan originator deems necessary.
Appraisal
A written report for a subject property which provides information on its condition and an estimate of its market value. The report must follow WSPAP standards and be prepared by a qualified appraiser.
Assignment
A legal document that transfers mortgage rights from one entity to another.
Assumable Mortgage
A mortgage that can be assumed (i.e., taken over ) by a buyer when a home is purchased.
AUS
Automated underwriting system
Automated valuation (AV)
A method for determining the value of a property that relies on a statistical model. which analyzes various data. Not a traditional appraisal, AV’s do not use the income or sales comparable approach and do not meet USPAP standards. They are sometimes used in conjunction with a property inspection to verify the condition of the property.
Average Pricing
An option under RESPA which permits a lender to charge all borrowers in a class of transactions the same amount for one or more settlement services. The charge is based on the average cost of providing the service (s), developed over a one-to- six month period.
Balloon Mortgage
A mortgage that has level monthly payments that amortize the loan over a stated term (e.g.,30 years) but has a shorter maturity date, Instead the loan pays off with a lump sum payment due at the shorter maturity date (e.g.,5 years). This limits the lender’s fixed interest rate risk to a five-or seven-year term and keeps the borrower’s payment low by calculating the required payment based on a thirty year amortization
Balloon payment
The final payment for a balloon mortgage.
Basis Points
A basis point is one hundredth of 1 percent interest; thus, 50 basis points equal one half of 1 percent.
Best efforts
A secondary mortgage market transaction for which a seller is obligated to deliver only those loans that actually close according to the terms committed to in the best efforts agreement.
Biweekly payment mortgage
A mortgage loan that requires a payment every two weeks that equals half of a regular monthly payment. The resulting 26 (or 27) payments a year produce the equivalent of am additional month’s payment each year, which if amortizing will greatly speed the repayment of the loan.
Bridge Loan
A second mortgage that is secured by the borrower’s present home (which is usually for sale) in a manner that allows the proceeds to be used for closing on a new house before the present home is sold.
Building permit
A document issued by the local government housing authority that certifies that proposed construction is legally acceptable according to the plans and specifications submitted.
Buydown
Money advanced by an individual ( builder, seller or borrower) to reduce the monthly payments for a home mortgage either during the entire term or for an initial period of years.
Cap
A provision of am ARM loan that limits how much an interest rate or payment can increase or decrease.
Capacity
An underwriting term referencing the applicant’s ability to pay the mortgage and all other debts.
Capital market security
A Financial instrument, including both debt and equity securities. with a maturity greater than one year. Those instruments with maturities of less than a year are traded in the money markets
Capital Markets
Markets in which long term funds in the form of mortgages, stocks. and bonds are bought and sold this includes informal markets as well as organized markets and exchanges.
Cash delivery
The submission of a whole mortgage or a participation to an investor in exchange for cash rather than a mortgage-backed security.
Cash-out Refinance`
A refinance transaction in which the borrower obtains a loan for more than the amount owed on the existing mortgage( including the mortgage, subordinate financing. closing costs. points. etc.). Some investors define a cash-out refinance transaction differently.
Certificate of Eligibility
A document issued by the Veteran’s Administration certifying a veteran’s eligibility for a VA mortgage.
Certificate of Occupancy
A document issued by the local government housing authority that certifies a dwelling has been built according to local housing code and is legally ready for residential occupancy.
Chain of title
The history of all of the documents that transfer title to a specific piece of real property. A history starting with the earliest existing document and ending with the most recent.
Character
An underwriting term referencing the applicant’s willingness to repay a debt.
Charge-off
The write-off of the portion of principal and interest due on a loan that is determined to be uncollectable.
Collateral
The security for a loan. For mortgage loans, the property description contained in the recorded mortgage.
Commitment
A written promise to make, insure, or buy a mortgage loan for a specified amount and on specified terms.
Commitment fee
Any fee paid by an applicant to a lender for the lender’s promise to lend money at a specified date in the future. The lender may or may not expect to fund the commitment. Or, a fee paid by a lender or an investor in a secondary market transaction.
Compensating Balances
Funds left on deposit with a lender as a condition for a loan.
Composite APR
A method of APR calculation used for adjustable rate mortgages to reflect the interest rate changes over the life of the loan.
Condominium
Real estate in which individual owners own title to a part of the whole (e.g., a unit in a building) and an undivided interest in the common areas. An association manages all the units and common areas according to association by-laws.
Conduits
Entities that issue mortgage-backed securities backed by mortgages, which were originated by another, typically one or more of the traditional originators.
Conforming mortgage loans
Mortgage that meet all the GSE eligibility and underwriting guidelines ( Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac only)
Construction Loan
A short term interim loan for financing the cost of construction.
Construction Loan advance
A partial disbursement of mortgage loan funds by a lender to the borrower after verifying a portion of the home construction has been completed. Borrower and lender normally agree to an advance schedule beforehand to formalize the amounts and requirements for each advance.
Construction/permanent loan
A type of mortgage loan that includes terms and conditions for both a construction phase )to build the proposed house) and a repayment phase ( to amortize the loan by the maturity date).
Conventional loan
A non-government mortgage loan neither insured by FHA nor guaranteed by VA or USDA.
Correspondent
A mortgage banker who services mortgage loans as a representative or agent for the owner of the mortgage or for the investor. Also applies to the mortgage banker’s role as originator of mortgage loans for an investor.
Cost of Funds Index
An index that is used to determine interest rate changes for some ARMs. It represents the weighted-average cost of savings. borrowings. and advances of members of 11th District of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.
Cost of Construct
The amount needed to complete the construction of a home. Calculated by adding documented costs involved in the home’s construction( land purchase, labor, materials, permits. fees. etc.
Counteroffer
A commitment offered by a lender to an application in which a lender does not accept the original application. Instead, the lender offers the applicant different loan terms than requested.