Total Mortgage Payment
A good first step in the mortgage process is to determine a monthly mortgage payment that will fit into your current budget.

Choosing a Mortgage Company
Be sure that you find a mortgage professional you can trust and work with effectively.

Your Initial Meeting with a Mortgage Professional
Find out what information you will need to prepare for your first meeting.

After Completing the Application
Find out more about what happens next in the approval process.

Two Key Factors in Qualifying
See what lenders really look at when considering you for a loan.

Speed Up the Mortgage Process
Discover how you can shorten the time until closing.

Escrow Account Basics
Mortgage escrow accounts are special accounts set up in which money is held to pay taxes and insurance.

Mortgage Dictionary
All the mortgage-related terms you need to know from A to Z.

Your Total Mortgage Payment
Your monthly mortgage payment typically is made up of four components: principal, interest, taxes and insurance, together known as PITI. The principal refers to the part of the monthly payment that reduces the remaining balance of the mortgage. The interest is the fee charged for borrowing money. Taxes refer to property taxes your community levies which are generally based on a percentage of the value of your home.

The lender usually collects 1/12th of the yearly property tax bill each month. The lender collects taxes in advance and places the money in an escrow fund. Lenders won't let you close on your home loan if you don't have hazard insurance to cover your home and your personal property against losses from fire, theft, bad weather and other causes. The insurance amount is collected and paid much like the taxes. Each month 1/12th of the insurance bill is collected and stored in an escrow account until the bill is due.

Even if you pay cash for your home, it is a good idea to buy hazard insurance in the event your home is damaged or destroyed. Principal and interest comprise the bulk of your monthly payments in a process called amortization, which reduces your debt over a fixed period of time. With amortization, your initial monthly payments are largely interest, and as the loan matures, a greater portion of your payment is allocated toward the principal.
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Choosing a Mortgage Company
When you are ready to shop for a loan, you can work directly with a lender or with a mortgage broker representing many individual lenders. Direct lenders are lending their own money, have in house programs and make the final decision on your application.

Mortgage brokers are intermediaries who represent many lenders and loan programs from which to choose. If you have special financing needs or want to shop the market for the best deal, an experienced broker may be able to find the best loan for you. Along with shopping the source, you'll also have to shop the total cost of the loan, including the interest rate, fees, points (each point is one percent of the amount you borrow), prepayment penalties, the loan term, and a host of other items.
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Your Initial Meeting with a Mortgage Professional at Florida Mortgage Consultants, Inc.
The loan approval process generally begins with an initial interview where you and a mortgage professional discuss the potential loan. You will need to send information to us to verify your income and long term debts. You may prefer to talk with Florida Mortgage Consultants, Inc. before house hunting to determine in advance how much you can afford and the mortgage amount for which you can qualify. This step is called pre-qualification and can save you time and trouble by making certain you are looking in the correct price range.

To complete the 1003 Mortgage Application, you will need to gather:

• A purchase contract for the house (if you have one)
• Your bank account numbers and the address of your bank branch, along with checking and savings account statements for the previous 2-3 months
• Pay stubs, W2 withholding forms, tax returns for two years, or other proof of employment and income verification
• Credit card bills for the past few billing periods, or canceled checks for rent or utility bill payments, to show payment history and amount of revolving debt Information on other consumer debt such as car loans, furniture loans, student loans and retail credit cards
• Balance sheets and tax returns, if you are self-employed
• Any gift letters, if you are using a gift from a parent or relative or other organization to help pay the down payment and/or closing costs. This letter simply states that the money is in fact a gift and will not have to be repaid.

Having these items on hand when you visit the mortgage company will help speed up the application process. Usually an appraisal fee will have to be paid when you submit the mortgage application. After you speak with us, you should have a general idea if you qualify for the size and type of loan you want. After the mortgage application, we will let you know if you qualify for the loan within a couple of days.
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After the Mortgage Application
Florida Mortgage Consultants Inc. will begin the work of verifying all the information you've provided. This process can take anywhere from one to four weeks, depending on the type of mortgage you choose, whether you're buying a home outside your local community, or a host of other factors. Within three business days after your signed application, we will give you a good faith estimate of your closing costs. You'll also get a statement that shows your estimated monthly payment, the cost of your finance charges and other facts about your mortgage.

Stay in touch with us to speed up the application process. Some home buyers find the closing process to be one of the most intimidating aspects of buying a home because it's so unfamiliar. If so, ask us what to expect at your closing. Once you receive your approval, and you're waiting to close on the sale of the home, don't go on a shopping spree. The mortgage lender may do a final check of your credit report or bank accounts to make sure you're not assuming more debt or spending your cash reserves. There are steps you can take if your loan is denied.
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Two Key Factors in Qualifying for a Home Loan
When a lender makes a decision about a mortgage application, they consider two basic factors: 1) your ability and 2) your willingness to repay the loan. Ability to repay the mortgage is determined by verifying your current employment and analyzing your total income. Lenders prefer for you to have been employed at the same place for at least two years, or at least be in the same line of work for a few years.

Your proposed monthly payment will be compared to your monthly income and debt. Willingness to repay is influenced by how you have paid previous loans and by examining how the property will be used. Willingness can be gauged by your credit report and previous commitments to pay rent and/or utility bills.

There is also a greater tendency to stick with your payments if you live in a house as opposed to a rental property or vacation home. It is important to remember that there are no set rules and each applicant is handled on a case-by-case basis. Many applicants come up a little short in one area, but make up for it with other strong points. These compensating factors may include a large down payment, solid employment, extensive educational background or overall financial health.

For applicants who need to make a lower down payment, mortgage insurance is protection for the lender in case you stop making payments. This allows low and moderate income families to become homeowners with low down payment programs.
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Speed Up the Mortgage Process
Once complete, your application will be given to a processor in the mortgage company who will organize your paperwork and may verify your employment, bank balances, and other information. Be sure to respond promptly to requests for information while processing is taking place. Commonly requested items during processing that may not have been collected during the application include:

• The final purchase contract for the house (if applicable).
• If you're self-employed, the mortgage company may require your personal and business tax returns for the previous two years and your company's year-to-date Profit and Loss statement.
• Divorce settlement papers, if applicable
• Updated account statements for listed assets in the application that may have changed in value.
• Information about debts or credit report items that may have been delinquent or not accurate.
• Evidence of your mortgage or rental payments, such as canceled checks.
• An irrevocable gift letter if you are receiving a monetary gift from a relative.

The processor is collecting this information before presenting it to an underwriter. An underwriter reviews all the information in your loan file to determine if the application meets the lender guidelines. With approval, a lender should give you a letter of commitment, which is a promise from the lender to make a loan based on specific terms and conditions.
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Escrow Account Basics
Mortgage escrow accounts are special accounts set up in which money is held to pay property taxes, fire and hazard insurance premiums, mortgage insurance premiums, and other escrow items.
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Mortgage Terminology
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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7/23 and 5/25 Mortgages
Mortgages with a one time rate adjustment after seven years and five years respectively.
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3/1, 5/1, 7/1 and 10/1 ARMs
Adjustable rate mortgages in which rate is fixed for three year, five year, seven year and 10-year periods, respectively, but may adjust annually after that.
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Acceleration
The right of the mortgagee (lender) to demand the immediate repayment of the mortgage loan balance upon the default of the mortgagor (borrower), or by using the right vested in the Due on Sale Clause. TERMS / TOP

Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
A mortgage in which the interest rate is adjusted periodically based on a pre-selected index. Also sometimes known as a renegotiable rate mortgage, variable rate mortgage or Canadian rollover mortgage.
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Adjusted Basis
The cost of a property plus the value of any capital expenditures for improvements to the property minus any depreciation taken.
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Adjustment Date
The date that the interest rate changes on an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM).
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Adjustment Interval
On an adjustable rate mortgage, the time between changes in the interest rate and/or monthly payment, typically one, three or five years depending on the index.
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Adjustment Period
The period elapsing between adjustment dates for an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM).
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Affordability Analysis
An analysis of a buyer’s ability to afford the purchase of a home. Reviews income, liabilities, and available funds, and considers the type of mortgage you plan to use, the area where you want to purchase a home, and the closing costs that are likely.
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Amortization
Loan payment divided into equal periodic payments calculated to pay off the debt at the end of a fixed period, including accrued interest on the outstanding balance.
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Amortization Term
The length of time required to amortize the mortgage loan expressed as a number of months. For example, 360 months is the amortization term for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage.
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Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
The measurement of the full cost of a loan including interest and loan fees expressed as a yearly percentage rate. Because all lenders apply the same rules in calculating the annual percentage rate, it provides consumers with a good basis for comparing the cost of different loans.
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Appraisal
An estimate of the value of property made by a qualified professional called an "appraiser.”
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Appraised Value
An opinion of a property's fair market value, based on an appraiser's knowledge, experience, and analysis of the property.
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Assessment
A local tax levied against a property for a specific purpose, such as a sewer or street lights.
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Assignment
The transfer of a mortgage from one person to another.
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Assumability
An assumable mortgage can be transferred from the seller to the new buyer. Generally requires a credit review of the new borrower and lenders may charge a fee for the assumption. If a mortgage contains a due on sale clause, it may not be assumed by a new buyer.
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Assumption
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 cost and new, probably higher, market rate interest charges will apply.
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Assumption Fee
The fee paid to a lender (usually by the purchaser of real property) when an assumption takes place. TERMS / TOP

Balloon Mortgage
A loan which is amortized for a longer period than the term of the loan. Usually this refers to a thirty year amortization and a five or seven year term. At the end of the term of the loan, the remaining outstanding principal on the loan is due. This final payment is known as a balloon payment.
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Balloon Payment
The final lump sum paid at the maturity date of a balloon mortgage.
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Biweekly Payment Mortgage
A plan to reduce the debt every two weeks (instead of the standard monthly payment schedule). The 26 (or possibly 27) biweekly payments are each equal to one half of the monthly payment required if the loan were a standard 30-year fixed rate mortgage. The result for the borrower is a substantial savings in interest.
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Blanket Mortgage
A mortgage covering at least two pieces of real estate as security for the same mortgage.
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Borrower (Mortgagor)
One who applies for and receives a loan in the form of a mortgage with the intention of repaying the loan in full.
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Bridge Loan
A second trust that is collateralized by the borrower's present home allowing the proceeds to be used to close on a new house before the present home is sold. Also known as "swing loan."
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Broker
An individual in the business of assisting in arranging funding or negotiating contracts for a client but who does not loan the money himself. Brokers usually charge a fee or receive a commission for their services.
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Buy Down
When the lender and/or the home builder subsidized the mortgage by lowering the interest rate during the first few years of the loan. While the payments are initially low, they will increase when the subsidy expires.
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Cash Flow
The amount of cash derived over a certain period of time from an income producing property. The cash flow should be large enough to pay the expenses of the income producing property (mortgage payment, maintenance, utilities, etc...).
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Caps (interest)
Consumer safeguards which limit the amount of change to the interest rate for an adjustable rate mortgage.
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Caps (payment)
Consumer safeguards which limit the amount of change to the monthly payments for an adjustable rate mortgage.
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Certificate of Eligibility
The document given to qualified veterans which entitles them to VA guaranteed loans for homes, business and mobile homes. Certificates of eligibility may be obtained by sending form DADA (Separation Paper) to the local VA office with VA form 1880 (Request for Certificate of Eligibility).
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Certificate of Reasonable Value (CRV)
An appraisal issued by the Veterans Administration showing the property's current market value.
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Certificate of Veteran Status
The document given to veterans or reservists who have served 90 days of continuous active duty (including training time). It may be obtained by sending DD 214 to the local VA office with form 26-8261a (Request for Certificate of Veteran Status). This document enables veterans to obtain lower down payments on certain FHA insured loans.
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Change Frequency
The frequency (in months) of payment and/or interest rate changes in an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM).
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Closing
The meeting between the buyer, seller and lender or their agents where the property and funds legally change hands, also called settlement. Closing costs 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. The cost of closing usually are about 3 percent to 6 percent of the mortgage amount.
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Closing Costs
Expenses over and above the price of the property that are incurred by buyers and sellers when transferring ownership of a property. Closing costs normally include an origination fee, property taxes, charges for title insurance and escrow costs, appraisal fees, etc. Closing costs will vary according to the area country and the lenders used.
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COFI
An adjustable-rate mortgage with a rate that adjusts based on a cost-of-funds index, often the 11th District Cost of Funds.
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Construction Loan
A short term interim loan to pay for the construction of buildings or homes. These are usually designed to provide periodic disbursements to the builder as he or she progresses.
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Consumer Reporting Agency (or Bureau)
An organization that handles the preparation of reports used by lenders to determine a potential borrower's credit history. The agency gets data for these reports from a credit repository and other sources.
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Contract Sale or Deed
A contract between purchaser and a seller of real estate to convey title after certain conditions have been met. It is a form of installment sale.
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Conventional Loan
A mortgage not insured by FHA or guaranteed by VA.
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Conversion Clause
A provision in an ARM allowing the loan to be converted to a fixed-rate at some point during the term. Usually conversion is allowed at the end of the first adjustment period. The conversion feature may cost extra.
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Credit Report
A report documenting the credit history and current status of a borrower's credit standing.
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Credit Risk Score
A credit risk score is a statistical summary of the information contained in a consumer's credit report. The most well known type of credit risk score is the Fair Isaac or FICO score. This form of credit scoring is a mathematical summary calculation that assigns numerical values to various pieces of information in the credit report. The overall credit risk score is highly relative in the credit underwriting process for a mortgage loan.
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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. See housing expenses-to-income ratio. TERMS / TOP

Deed of Trust
In many states, this document is used in place of a mortgage to secure the payment of a note.
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Default
Failure to meet legal obligations in a contract, specifically, failure to make the monthly payments on a mortgage.
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Deferred Interest
When a mortgage is written with a monthly payment that is less than required to satisfy the note rate, the unpaid interest is deferred by adding it to the loan balance. See negative amortization.
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Delinquency
Failure to make payments on time. This can lead to foreclosure.
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Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
An independent agency of the federal government which guarantees long term, low-or-no-down payment mortgages to eligible veterans.
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Discount Point
See point
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Down Payment
Money paid to make up the difference between the purchase price and the mortgage amount.
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Due-on-Sale-Clause
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.
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Earnest Money
Money given by a buyer to a seller as part of the purchase price to bind a transaction or assure payment.
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Entitlement
The VA home loan benefit is called an entitlement (i.e. entitlement for a VA guaranteed home loan). This is also known as eligibility.
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Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)
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.
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Equity
The difference between the fair market value and current indebtedness, also referred to as the owner's interest. The value an owner has in real estate over and above the obligation against the property.
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Escrow
An account held by the lender into which the home buyer pays money for tax or insurance payments. Also earnest deposits held pending loan closing.
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Escrow Disbursements
The use of escrow funds to pay real estate taxes, hazard insurance, mortgage insurance, and other property expenses as they become due.
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Escrow Payment
The part of a mortgagor’s monthly payment that is held by the servicer to pay for taxes, hazard insurance, mortgage insurance, lease payments, and other items as they become due. Fannie Mae See Federal National Mortgage Association.
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Farmers Home Administration (FmHA)
Provides financing to farmers and other qualified borrowers who are unable to obtain loans elsewhere. TOP Federal Home Loan Bank Board (FHLBB) The former name for the regulatory and supervisory agency for federally chartered savings institutions. The agency is now called the Office of Thrift Supervision TOP Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation(FHLMC) also called "Freddie Mac" A government sponsored entity that purchases conventional mortgage from insured depository institutions and HUD-approved mortgage bankers.
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Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
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.
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Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) also know as "Fannie Mae"
A government sponsored entity that purchases and sells conventional residential mortgages as well as those insured by FHA or guaranteed by VA. TOP FHA Loan A loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration open to all qualified home purchasers. While there are limits to the size of FHA loans, they are generous enough to handle moderately priced homes almost anywhere in the country.
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FHA Mortgage Insurance
Requires a fee (up to 2.25 percent of the loan amount) paid at closing to insure the loan with FHA. In addition, FHA mortgage insurance requires an annual fee of up to 0.5 percent of the current loan amount, paid in monthly installments. The lower the down payment, the more years the fee must be paid.
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FHLMC
The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation provides a secondary market for savings and loans by purchasing their conventional loans. Also known as "Freddie Mac."
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Firm Commitment
A promise by FHA to insure a mortgage loan for a specified property and borrower. A promise from a lender to make a mortgage loan.
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First Mortgage
The primary lien against a property."
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Fixed Installment
The monthly payment due on a mortgage loan including payment of both principal and interest.
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Fixed Rate Mortgage
The mortgage interest rate will remain the same on these mortgages throughout the term of the mortgage for the original borrower.
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Fully Amortized ARM
An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) with a monthly payment that is sufficient to amortize the remaining balance, at the interest accrual rate, over the amortization term.
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FNMA
The Federal National Mortgage Association is a secondary mortgage institution. FNMA buys VA, FHA, and conventional mortgages from primary lenders. Also known as "Fannie Mae."
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Foreclosure
A legal process by which the lender or the seller forces a sale of a mortgaged property because the borrower has not met the terms of the mortgage. Also known as a repossession of property.
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Freddie Mac
See Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
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Ginnie Mae
See Government National Mortgage Association.
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Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) Also known as "Ginnie Mae."
Provides sources of funds for residential mortgages, insured or guaranteed by FHA or VA.
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Graduated Payment Mortgage (GPM)
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.
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Growing Equity Mortgage (GEM)
A fixed rate mortgage that provides scheduled payment increases over an established period of time. The increased amount of the monthly payment is applied directly toward reducing the remaining balance of the mortgage.
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Guaranty
A promise by one party to pay a debt or perform an obligation contracted by another if the original party fails to pay or perform according to a contract.
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Guarantee Mortgage
A mortgage that is guaranteed by a third party.
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Hazard Insurance
A form of insurance in which the insurance company protects the insured from specified losses, such as fire, windstorm and the like.
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Housing Expenses-to-Income Ratio
The ratio, expressed as a percentage, which results when a borrower's housing expenses are divided by his/her gross monthly income. See debt-to-income ratio.
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HUD-1 Statement
A document that provides an itemized listing of the funds that are payable at closing. Items that appear on the statement include real estate commissions, loan fees, points and initial escrow amounts. Each item on the statement is represented by a separate number within a standardized numbering system. The totals at the bottom of the HUD-1 statement define the seller's net proceeds and the buyer's net payment at closing.
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Impound
The 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.
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Index
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 U.S. Treasury security yields, the monthly average interest rate on loans closed by savings and loan institutions, and the monthly average costs-of-funds incurred by savings and loans), which is then used to adjust the interest rate on an adjustable mortgage up or down.
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Indexed Rate
The sum of the published index plus the margin. For example if the index is 4% and the margin is 2.75%, the indexed rate would be 6.75%. Often, lenders charge less than the indexed rate the first year of an adjustable rate mortgage.
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Initial Interest Rate
This refers to the original interest rate of the mortgage at the time of closing. This rate changes for an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). It's also known as "start rate" or "teaser."
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Installment
The regular periodic payment that a borrower agrees to make to a lender.
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Insured Mortgage
A mortgage that is protected by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or by private mortgage insurance (MI).
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Interest
The fee charged for borrowing money.
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Interest Accrual Rate
The percentage rate at which interest accrues on the mortgage. In most cases, it is also the rate used to calculate the monthly payments.
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Interest Rate Buydown Plan
An arrangement that allows the property seller to deposit money to an account. That money is then released each month to reduce the mortgagor's monthly payments during the early years of a mortgage. TERMS / TOP

Interest Rate Ceiling
For an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), the maximum interest rate, as specified in the mortgage note. TERMS / TOP

Interest Rate Floor
For an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), the minimum interest rate, as specified in the mortgage note. TERMS / TOP

Interim Financing
A construction loan made during completion of a building or a project. A permanent loan usually replaces this loan after completion.
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Investor
A money source for a lender.
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Jumbo Loan
A loan which is larger than the limits set by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Because jumbo loans cannot be funded by these two agencies, they usually carry a higher interest rate.
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Late Charge
The penalty a borrower must pay when a payment is made a stated number of days after the due date.
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Lease-Purchase Mortgage Loan
An alternative financing option that allows low and moderate income home buyers to lease a home with an option to buy. Each month's rent payment consists of principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI) payments on the first mortgage plus an extra amount that accumulates in a savings account for a down payment.
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Liabilities
A person's financial obligations. Liabilities include long term and short term debt.
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Lien
A claim upon a piece of property for the payment or satisfaction of a debt or obligation.
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Lifetime Payment Cap
For an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), a limit on the amount that payments can increase or decrease over the life of the mortgage.
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Lifetime Rate Cap
For an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), a limit on the amount that the interest rate can increase or decrease over the life of the loan. See cap.
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Loan
A sum of borrowed money (principal) that is generally repaid with interest.
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Loan to Value Ratio
The relationship between the amount of the mortgage loan and the appraised value of the property expressed as a percentage.
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Lock
A lender's guarantee that the mortgage rate quoted will be good for a specific number of days from the day of application.
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Margin
The amount a lender adds to the index on an adjustable rate mortgage to establish the adjusted interest rate.
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Market Value
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.
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Maturity
The date on which the principal balance of a loan becomes due and payable.
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MIP (Mortgage Insurance Premium)
Insurance from FHA to the lender against incurring a loss on account of the borrower's default.
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Monthly Fixed Installment
The portion of the total monthly payment that is applied toward principal and interest. When a mortgage negatively amortizes, the monthly fixed installment does not include any amount for principal reduction and doesn't cover all of the interest. The loan balance therefore increases instead of decreasing.
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Mortgage
A legal document that pledges a property to the lender as security for payment of a debt.
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Mortgage Banker
A company that originates mortgages for resale in the secondary mortgage market.
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Mortgage Broker
An individual or company that charges a service fee to bring borrowers and lenders together for the purpose of loan origination.
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Mortgagee
The lender.
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Mortgage Insurance
Money paid to insure the mortgage when the down payment is less than 20 percent. See private mortgage insurance, FHA mortgage insurance.
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Mortgage Life Insurance
A type of term life insurance. In the event that the borrower dies while the policy is in force, the mortgage debt is automatically paid by insurance proceeds.
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Mortgagor
The borrower or homeowner.
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Negative Amortization
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 home buyer ends up owing more than the original amount of the loan.
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Net Effective Income
The borrower's gross income minus federal income tax.
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Non Assumption Clause
A statement in a mortgage contract forbidding the assumption of the mortgage without the prior approval of the lender.
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Note
A legal document that obligates a borrower to repay a mortgage loan at a stated interest rate during a specified period of time.
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Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS)
The regulatory and supervisory agency for federally chartered savings institutions. Formally known as Federal Home Loan Bank Board
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One Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage
Mortgage where the annual rate changes yearly. The rate is usually based on movements of a published index plus a specified margin, chosen by the lender.
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Origination Fee
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 the face value of the loan.
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Owner Financing
A property purchase transaction in which the party selling the property provides all or part of the financing.
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Payment Change Date
The date when a new monthly payment amount takes effect on an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) or a graduated-payment mortgage (GPM). Generally, the payment change date occurs in the month immediately after the adjustment date.
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Periodic Payment Cap
A limit on the amount that payments can increase or decrease during any one adjustment period.
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Periodic Rate Cap
A limit on the amount that the interest rate can increase or decrease during any one adjustment period, regardless of how high or low the index might be.
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Permanent Loan
A long term mortgage, usually ten years or more. Also called an "end loan."
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PITI
Principal, interest, taxes and insurance. Also called monthly housing expense.
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Pledged Account Mortgage (PAM)
Money is placed in a pledged savings account and this fund plus earned interest is gradually used to reduce mortgage payments.
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Points (Loan Discount Points)
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).
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Power of Attorney
A legal document authorizing one person to act on behalf of another.
TOP

Preapproval
The process of determining how much money you will be eligible to borrow before you apply for a loan. TOP

Prepaid 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.
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Prepayment
A privilege in a mortgage permitting the borrower to make payments in advance of their due date.
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Prepayment Penalty
Money charged for an early repayment of debt. Prepayment penalties are allowed in some form (but not necessarily imposed) in many states.
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Primary Mortgage Market
Lenders, such as savings and loan associations, commercial banks, and mortgage companies, who make mortgage loans directly to borrowers. These lenders sometimes sell their mortgages to the secondary mortgage markets such as FNMA or GNMA, etc…
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Principal
The amount borrowed or remaining unpaid. The part of the monthly payment that reduces the remaining balance of a mortgage.
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Principal Balance
The outstanding balance of principal on a mortgage not including interest or any other charges.
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Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance (PITI)
The four components of a monthly mortgage payment. Principal refers to the part of the monthly payment that reduces the remaining balance of the mortgage. Interest is the fee charged for borrowing money. Taxes and insurance refer to the monthly cost of property taxes and homeowners insurance, whether these amounts are paid into an escrow account each month or not.
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Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
In the event that you do not have a 20 percent down payment, lenders will allow a smaller down payment - as low as 3 percent in some cases. With the smaller down payment loans, however, borrowers are usually required to carry private mortgage insurance. Private mortgage insurance will usually require an initial premium payment and may require an additional monthly fee depending on your loan's structure.
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Qualifying Ratios
Calculations used to determine if a borrower can qualify for a mortgage. They consist of two separate calculations: a housing expense as a percent of income ratio and total debt obligations as a percent of income ratio.
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Rate Lock
A commitment issued by a lender to a borrower or another mortgage originator guaranteeing a specified interest rate and lender costs for a specified period of time.
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Realtor®
A real estate broker or an associate holding active membership in a local real estate board affiliated with the National Association of Realtors.
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Real Estate Agent
A person licensed to negotiate and transact the sale of real estate on behalf of the property owner.
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Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)
A consumer protection law that requires lenders to give borrowers advance notice of closing costs.
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Recission
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.
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Recording Fees
Money paid to the lender for recording a home sale with the local authorities, thereby making it part of the public records.
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Refinance
Obtaining a new mortgage loan on a property already owned often to replace existing loans on the property.
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Renegotiable Rate Mortgage
A loan in which the interest rate is adjusted periodically. See adjustable rate mortgage.
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RESPA
Short for the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. RESPA is a federal law that allows consumers to review information on known or estimated settlement costs once after application and once prior to or at settlement. The law requires lenders to furnish the information after application only.
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Reverse Annuity Mortgage (RAM)
A form of mortgage in which the lender makes periodic payments to the borrower using the borrower's equity in the home as collateral for and repayment of the loan.
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Revolving Liability
A credit arrangement, such as a credit card, that allows a customer to borrow against a pre-approved line of credit when purchasing goods and services.
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Satisfaction of Mortgage
The document issued by the mortgagee when the mortgage loan is paid in full. Also called a "release of mortgage."
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Second Mortgage
A mortgage made subsequent to another mortgage and subordinate to the first one.
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Secondary Mortgage Market
The place where primary mortgage lenders sell the mortgages they make to obtain more funds to originate more new loans. It provides liquidity for the lenders.
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Security
The property that will be pledged as collateral for a loan.
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Seller Carry Back
An agreement in which the owner of a property provides financing, often in combination with an assumable mortgage. See owner financing.
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Servicer
An organization that collects principal and interest payments from borrowers and manages borrower escrow accounts. The servicer often services mortgages that have been purchased by an investor in the secondary mortgage market.
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Servicing
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.
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Settlement/Settlement Costs
See closing/closing costs
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Shared Appreciation Mortgage (SAM)
A mortgage in which a borrower receives a below market interest rate in return for which the lender (or another investor such as a family member or other partner) receives a portion of the future appreciation in the value of the property. May also apply to mortgage where the borrowers shares the monthly principal and interest payments with another party in exchange for part of the appreciation.
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Simple Interest
Interest which is computed only on the principle balance. TOP Standard Payment Calculation The method used to determine the monthly payment required to repay the remaining balance of a mortgage in substantially equal installments over the remaining term of the mortgage at the current interest rate. TERMS / TOP

Step Rate Mortgage
A mortgage that allows for the interest rate to increase according to a specified schedule (i.e., seven years), resulting in increased payments as well. At the end of the specified period, the rate and payments will remain constant for the remainder of the loan.
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Survey
A measurement of land, prepared by a registered land surveyor, showing the location of the land with reference to known points, its dimensions, and the location and dimensions of any buildings.
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Sweat Equity
Equity created by a purchaser performing work on a property being purchased.
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Third Party Origination
When a lender uses another party to completely or partially originate, process, underwrite, close, fund, or package the mortgages it plans to deliver to the secondary mortgage market.
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Title
A document that gives evidence of an individual's ownership of property.
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Title Insurance
A policy, usually issued by a title insurance company, which insures a home buyer against errors in the title search. The cost of the policy is usually a function of the value of the property, and is often borne by the purchaser and/or seller. Policies are also available to protect the lender's interests.
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Title Search
An examination of municipal records to determine the legal ownership of property. Usually is performed by a title company.
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Total Expense Ratio
Total obligations as a percentage of gross monthly income including monthly housing expenses plus other monthly debts.
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Truth in Lending
A federal law requiring disclosure of the Annual Percentage Rate to home buyers shortly after they apply for the loan. Also known as Regulation Z.
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Two Step Mortgage
A mortgage in which the borrower receives a-below-market interest rate for a specified number of years (most often seven or 10), and then receives a new interest rate adjusted (within certain limits) to market conditions at that time. The lender sometimes has the option to call the loan due with 30 days notice at the end of seven or 10 years. Also called "Super Seven" or "Premier" mortgage.
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Underwriting
The decision whether to make a loan to a potential home buyer based on credit, employment, assets, and other factors and the matching of this risk to an appropriate rate and term or loan amount.
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Usury
Interest charged in excess of the legal rate established by law.
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VA Loan
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.
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VA Mortgage Funding Fee
A premium of up to 1-7/8 percent (depending on the size of the down payment) paid on a fixed rate loan. On a $75,000 fixed-rate mortgage with no down payment, this would amount to $1,406 either paid at closing or added to the amount financed. TOP Variable Rate Mortgage (VRM) See adjustable rate mortgage
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Verification of Deposit (VOD)
A document signed by the borrower's financial institution verifying the status and balance of his/her financial accounts.
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Verification of Employment (VOE)
A document signed by the borrower's employer verifying his/her position and salary.
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Warehouse Fee
Many mortgage firms must borrow funds on a short term basis in order to originate loans which are to be sold later in the secondary mortgage market (or to investors). When the prime rate of interest is higher on short term loans than on mortgage loans, the mortgage firm has an economic loss which is offset by charging a warehouse fee.
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Wraparound Mortgage
Results when an existing assumable loan is combined with a new loan, resulting in an interest rate somewhere between the old rate and the current market rate. The payments are made to a second lender or the previous homeowner, who then forwards the payments to the first lender after taking the additional amount off the top.
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