Mortgage Lingo Flashcards
1003 Form
A document required for all mortgage applications that includes the customer’s income, assets, and a description of the home. Also known as the Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA).
1004 Form
A document required for the appraisal. Also known as the Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR).
1025 Form
An appraisal form needed if the subject property is a 2- to 4-unit dwelling and the borrower is using rental income to qualify.
1073 Form
An appraisal form that is used if the subject property is a condo (attached/detached/site).
1099 Form
An IRS form used to verify income paid to a self-employed contractor.
Acceptance
An agreement to enter into a contract and be bound by the terms of the offer.
Acquisition costs
Costs of acquiring property other than purchase price. Examples may include attorney fees, title insurance, and lender fees.
Addendum
An agreement or list added to a contract or other document.
Additional principal payment
Paying more than the scheduled payment amount. This type of payment is typically made to reduce the remaining balance on the loan.
Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM)
A mortgage with an interest rate and payments that adjust at scheduled dates based on a pre-selected index.
Adjusted gross income
A person’s total income, as reported on his or her IRS 1040 tax return form, after allowable contributions, deductions, and expenses.
Adjustment period
The amount of time between interest rate changes on an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), after the initial fixed rate ends.
Agreement/Offer
An agreement between a buyer and seller of a property that states the price and terms of the sale. Also known as a purchase contract.
Agricultural property
Unimproved property available for farming activities.
Alimony
A spouse’s court-ordered payments after separation or divorce.
American Land Title Association (ALTA)
An organization that promotes the safe and efficient transfer of ownership of, and interest in, real property.
Amortization
The process of paying off a debt over time through regular payments with a percentage going to the principal and interest.
Amortization schedule
A mortgage payment timetable showing the amount of each payment and the remaining balance after each payment.
Annual percentage rate (APR)
The cost to borrow money expressed as a yearly percentage. For mortgage loans, it includes the interest rate plus other charges or fees. For home equity lines of credit, the APR is just the interest rate.
Applicant
A prospective borrower who has completed a loan application.
Application
A document submitted by a borrower to a mortgage lender that includes required information to begin the home loan process.
Application fee
A fee charged to a potential borrower to cover initial mortgage processing expenses.
Appraisal
A report that states a determination of a home’s market value by a qualified independent third-party known as an appraiser.
Appraised value
An opinion of value reached by an appraiser based upon comparable recent sales of homes in the neighborhood.
Appraiser
An independent third-party qualified to estimate the value of real estate.
Appreciation
An increase in the value of property due to a positive improvement to the property, real estate in the area or inflation.
Approval letter
Written mortgage loan approval. Also known as a commitment letter.
Arm’s-length transaction
Legal slang meaning that no special relationship exists between the buyer and seller and that neither are subject to any pressure or duress from the other party.
Assessed valuation
The value placed on property for taxation purposes.
Assessment
An amount of money charged to a homeowner to cover the cost of new projects and improvements in an area, including sidewalks, speed bumps, public utilities, or other special projects.
Assets
Things of value owned by a person (e.g., automobiles, property, savings or retirement fund) that are used to calculate a borrower’s net worth (assets minus liabilities) and determine their ability to afford the down payment and closing costs.
Assumable mortgage
A mortgage loan wherein the outstanding principal can be transferred to a buyer under the current mortgage terms. Typically, only (some) FHA and VA mortgages are assumable.
Attorney fee
A fee charged by a lawyer for title research, contract review, and other services.
AUS
Automated Underwriting System. A computer-driven process for informing the loan applicant very quickly, sometimes within a few minutes, whether the applicant will be approved, or whether the application will be forwarded to an underwriter. The quick decision is based on information provided by the applicant, which is subject to later verification, and other information retrieved electronically, including information about the borrower’s credit history and the subject property.
Balloon mortgage
A mortgage loan in which a large portion of the principal is repaid in a single payment at the end of the loan term.
Balloon payment
A large one-time payment due at the end of the term that pays off your remaining loan balance.
Bankruptcy
A legal proceeding in federal court in which a debtor seeks to restructure his or her obligations to creditors pursuant to the Bankruptcy code. This generally affects the borrower’s personal liability for a mortgage debt, but not the lien securing the mortgage.
Biweekly mortgage
A mortgage with payments due every two weeks, totaling 26 payments a year.
Blanket mortgage
A type of loan used to fund the purchase of two or more pieces of real property.
Borrower
A mortgage loan applicant.
Borrower-paid mortgage insurance (BPMI)
When your down payment is less than 20% of the home’s value, the lender typically requires you to pay a monthly premium for mortgage insurance in case you fail to make your mortgage payment. As soon as the loan-to-value ratio reaches 80% of the original value, you may be able cancel the insurance.
Break-even point
The point at which total revenue equals total expenses.
Broker
An independent non-bank mortgage loan originator who works with the borrower/homeowner and the bank or mortgage lender.
Buydown
A financing technique where the borrower attempts to get a lower interest rate on a purchase or refinance for the first few years of the loan.
Cash reserves
Extra money some lenders require borrowers to have available after loan closing to help ensure they can make the payments and keep the home.
Cash to close
Money the borrower will use to pay the closing costs for getting a mortgage.
Cash-out refinancing
A refinancing transaction in which the amount of money received from the new loan exceeds the total of the money needed to repay the existing first mortgage, closing costs, points, and the amount required to satisfy any outstanding subordinate mortgage liens, allowing the borrower to obtain cash from the equity in their home.
Certificate of occupancy
A document issued by a local municipality that indicates a building is suitable for occupancy.
Change of circumstance (COC)
A situation that requires the lender to provide a revised Loan Estimate or Closing Disclosure before closing that describes any changes in fees or other loan terms.
Closed-End mortgage
A fixed amount mortgage where the debt cannot be increased.
Closing
The last step in buying and financing a home. The closing, also known as settlement, is when all parties in a mortgage loan transaction sign the necessary documents. After signing these documents, the borrower becomes responsible for the mortgage loan.
Closing agent/settlement agent
Usually an attorney or title agency representative who oversees the loan closing and witnesses signing of the closing documents.
Closing costs
All monies paid by the borrower at the time of loan closing.
Closing date
The date the borrower signs the security instrument and all other related settlement documents.
Closing Disclosure
A document that provides final details about the mortgage loan, including fees, taxes and terms.
Closing points
A fee paid directly to the lender in exchange for a discount on the interest rate charged for a mortgage loan.
Co-borrower(s)
Additional named borrower(s) who appear on loan documents and whose income and credit history are used to qualify for the loan. Under this arrangement, all parties have an obligation to repay the loan.
Collateral
Property used to help secure a home loan that the lender can take possession of if the loan isn’t repaid by the borrower.
Collection
The process used by mortgage servicing companies to pursue payments of past-due mortgage obligations.
Combined loan-to-value (CLTV)
A ratio that is calculated when financing a home with a first mortgage and a home equity line of credit. For example, if your first mortgage is 70% of your home’s value and your home equity line of credit is 10% of your home’s value, your CLTV ratio is 80%.
Commitment (loan)
A promise made by the lender to the borrower to make a loan, along with stated terms and conditions.
Commitment letter
A mortgage lender’s formal letter to a borrower that states their intention to offer the borrower a home loan. Also known as an approval letter.
Comparable properties
Recently sold properties similar to another property whose value is being sought.
Compensating factors
Positive characteristics of a borrower’s credit that offset negative characteristics that help a borrower when underwriting a loan.
Concession/contribution
A discount or incentive a seller gives to a prospective buyer to encourage him or her to purchase a property — something that “sweetens the deal.”
Condition
A loan stipulation that must be met before a mortgage loan can be closed/funded.
Condo
A unit in a condominium project.
Conforming loan
A mortgage that meets the most current guidelines set by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. These mortgages are eligible for sale and delivery to these government-sponsored enterprises.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
The CFPB regulates the offering and provision of consumer financial products or services under the federal consumer financial laws and educates and empowers consumers to make better informed financial decisions.
Contingency
A condition that must be met before a contract is legally binding.
Conventional mortgage
A home loan that isn’t guaranteed or insured by the federal government.
Convertible ARM
An adjustable-rate mortgage that can be converted to a fixed-rate mortgage under specified conditions.
Cooperative
A form of real estate ownership, typically a building of two or more dwelling units, where the homeowner purchases a share in the corporation that owns the property.
Credit history
A record of a borrower’s payment behavior that shows his or her ability to repay a loan. Information may include number and types of credit accounts, how long each account has been open, amounts owed and more.
Credit limit
The maximum amount of money a customer is approved to borrow.
Credit report
A report provided by an independent agency detailing information on a person’s credit history.
Credit reporting
The process where lenders and creditors share your credit activity to one or more of the three credit reporting agencies.
Credit reporting agency
An agency that collects information about your credit accounts and uses it to produce your credit report and calculate your credit score.
Credit risk
The probable risk of loss resulting from a borrower’s failure to repay a loan.
Credit score
A three-digit number calculated by independent credit agencies that measures your creditworthiness based on information provided by your creditors and lenders.
Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)
A ratio derived by dividing the borrower’s total monthly obligations (including housing expenses) by his or her stable monthly income. This calculation is used to determine the mortgage amount for which a borrower qualifies. This term is used interchangeably with “total debt-to-income ratio” and “expense ratio.”
Deed
A legal document that conveys ownership of a property.
Deed of reconveyance
A document issued by a mortgage holder indicating that the borrower is released from the mortgage debt.
Deed of trust
A document that secures a debt, in which a debtor places legal ownership of real property with a trustee, to be held in trust until the debt is repaid. As the borrower repays the debt, the borrower keeps the actual title to the property and maintains full responsibility over the premises.
Default
The failure to satisfy the terms as agreed in a contract.
Delinquency
A loan payment that is past due.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
A government agency that provides housing and community development assistance.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
A government agency that provides federal benefits to veterans and their dependents, including home financing.
Deposit
A sum payable as a first installment on the purchase of a home (see earnest money).
Depreciation
A reduction in the value of property due to physical deterioration, wear and tear, or other factors.
Disclosure
Revealing information or facts about a specific product or financial transaction.
Down payment
The amount of cash you pay toward the purchase of your home, often between 3% and 20%. The rest of the payment to the seller comes from your mortgage.
Down payment assistance program
Programs offered by a government housing authority designed to help more families become homeowners by assisting with the cost of the down payment, closing costs, or in some cases both.
Draw period
The fixed period of time during which you can access money from a home equity line of credit.
Earnest money
A deposit made to someone selling their home that represents the prospective buyer’s intention to purchase the home (see deposit).
Encroachment
When a property owner violates the property rights of their neighbor.
Encumbrance
Anything that restricts a property owner’s ability to transfer title to the property or lessens its value, such as liens, restrictions, easements or encroachments.
End of draw
The point when you can no longer access funds from a home equity line of credit.
End of term
Refers to the date the outstanding balance on a balloon home equity loan or line of credit becomes due in full (see maturity date).
Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), 15 U.S.C. §1691 et seq.
This Act prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, because an applicant receives more income from public assistance, or because an applicant has, in good faith, exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act.
Equity
The difference between the market value of a home and the amount owed to the lender who holds the mortgage. If you were to sell your home, equity is the money you would receive after paying off the mortgage.
Escrow
Funds a lender collects and holds in an account to pay real estate taxes, homeowners insurance, other periodic debts against the property, and mortgage insurance (if applicable), on behalf of a customer. Also known as impounds or reserves.
Escrow account
An account in which escrow money is held.
Escrow agent
A person or organization that ensures the terms of the loan transaction are carried out on behalf of all parties.
Escrow Analysis
Analysis of an escrow account performed at least once a year to ensure the correct amount of money is being collected for taxes and insurance. These amounts will change over the life of the loan.
Escrow payment
The portion of a homeowner’s monthly mortgage payment that is held by a lender or servicer to pay property taxes and insurance, including mortgage insurance and hazard insurance, on your behalf.
Exposure
The dollar amount of funds or percentage of a portfolio invested in a particular type of security, market sector or industry, which is usually expressed as a percentage of total portfolio holdings.