Adjustable Rate
An interest rate that changes periodically according to market conditions.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
A mortgage in which the interest rate is adjusted periodically based on a pre-selected index. This interest rate and payments will rise and fall with market conditions.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
The cost of a mortgage expressed as a yearly rate. This percentage takes into account interest, points, origination fees, and mortgage insurance, so it will be slightly higher than the interest rate on the loan.

Borrower (Mortgagor)
An individual who applies for and receives a loan in the form of a mortgage with the intention of repaying the loan in full.

Bridge Loan
A form of second trust that is collateralized 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.

Buyers Market
Market conditions that favor buyers. With more sellers than buyers in the market, buyers have ample choice of properties and can negotiate lower prices.

Closing Costs
Fees incurred in a real estate or mortgage transaction and paid by borrower and/or seller during the closing of the mortgage loan. These fees typically include a loan origination fee, discount points, attorney's fees, title insurance, appraisal, survey, and any items which must be prepaid, including taxes and insurance escrow payments.

Credit Report
A financial report detailing the credit history of a prospective borrower, used to help determine creditworthiness.

Credit Risk
The possibility that the borrower may default on financial obligations to the investor.

Debt-to-Income Ratio
The ratio, expressed as a percentage, which results when a borrower's monthly payment obligation on long-term debts is divided by his or her gross monthly income.

Equity Loan
A loan based on the borrower's equity in his or her home.

Escrow Account
Account held by lender containing funds collected as part of mortgage payments for annual expenses such as taxes and insurance, so that the homeowner does not have to collect a large sum when these fall due.

Escrow Waiver
When a buyer borrows less than 80% of the cost of the house, he may pay a one-time fee and elect not to open an escrow account, but to pay the hazard insurance and property taxes himself.

Fixed Rate
An interest rate, which is fixed for the term of the loan.

Fixed-Rate Mortgage
A mortgage whose interest rate does not change for the life of the loan. Payments are also fixed.

Interest
Fee paid for borrowing money, calculated as a percentage of the amount borrowed.

Interest Rate
The periodic charge, expressed as a percentage, for use of credit.

Lender
The bank, mortgage company, or mortgage broker offering the loan.

Loan Application
Document required by lenders prior to loan approval containing detailed information about the borrower and property.

Loan Application Fee
Fee paid by prospective buyer to lender when applying for a mortgage.

Loan Origination Fee
Fee charged by a lender for processing a mortgage, usually expressed as a percentage of the loan (or points), which pays for the work in evaluating and processing the loan.

Loan Servicing
The collection of mortgage payments from borrowers and related responsibilities (such as handling escrows for property tax and insurance, foreclosing on defaulted loans and remitting payments to investors).

Net
Amount or value after a deduction, usually after taxes.

Power of Attorney
A Legal document authorizing one person to act on behalf of another.

Primary Mortgage Market
Includes banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and mortgage bankers who make mortgage loans directly to borrowers. These lenders sometimes sell their mortgages to lenders like FNMA in the secondary mortgage market.

Prime Rate
The lowest commercial interest rate charged by a bank on short-term loans.

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

Refinancing
The process of paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan secured by the same property.

Tax Lien
Claim against a property for unpaid taxes.

Tax Sale
Public sale of property by a government authority as a result of non-payment of taxes.

Term
The number of years it will take to pay off a loan.

Title
A document which gives evidence of ownership of a property as well as the rights of ownership and possession of that property.

Title Company
A company that insures title to property.

Title Insurance
Insurance which protects the lender (lender's policy) or the buyer (owner's policy) against loss due to disputes over ownership of a property.

Underwriting
The process of verifying data and evaluating a loan for approval. The underwriter gives the final loan approval.

Waiver
Voluntary relinquishment or surrender of some right or privilege.