Real Estate Dictionary

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

What is an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM)?
A mortgage whose interest rate changes periodically based on the changes in a specified index.

What is an adjustment date?
The date on which the interest rate changes for an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM).

What is an adjustment period?
The period that elapses between the adjustment dates for an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM).

What is amortization?
The repayment of a mortgage loan by installments with regular payments to cover the principal and interest.

What is an amortization term?
The amount of time required to amortize the mortgage loan. The amortization term is expressed as a number of months. For example, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, the amortization term is 360 months.

What is an annual percentage rate (APR)?
The cost of a mortgage stated as a yearly rate; includes such items as interest, mortgage insurance, and loan origination fee (points).

What is appreciation?
An increase in the value of a property due to changes in market conditions or other causes. The opposite of depreciation.

What is an asset?
Anything of monetary value that is owned by a person. Assets include real property, personal property, and enforceable claims against others (including bank accounts, stocks, mutual funds, and so on).

What is an assignment?
The transfer of a mortgage from one person to another.

What is an assumable mortgage?
A mortgage that can be taken over ("assumed") by the buyer when a home is sold.

What is an assumption?
The transfer of the seller's existing mortgage to the buyer.

What is an assumption clause?
A provision in an assumable mortgage that allows a buyer to assume responsibility for the mortgage from the seller. The loan does not need to be paid in full by the original borrower upon sale or transfer of the property.

What is a loan assumption fee?
The fee paid to a lender (usually by the purchaser of real property) resulting from the assumption of an existing mortgage.


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What is a balance sheet?
A financial statement that shows assets, liabilities, and net worth as of a specific date.

What is a balloon mortgage?
A mortgage that has level monthly payments that will amortize it over a stated term but that provides for a lump sum payment to be due at the end of an earlier specified term.

What is a balloon payment?
The final lump sum payment that is made at the maturity date of a balloon mortgage.

What is a basis point?
A basis point is 1/100th of a percentage point. For example, a fee calculated as 50 basis points of a loan amount of $100,000 would be 0.50% or $500.

What is a binder?
A preliminary agreement, secured by the payment of an earnest money deposit, under which a buyer offers to purchase real estate.

What is a biweekly payment mortgage?
A mortgage that requires payments 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 that would be required if the loan were a standard 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, and they are usually drafted from the borrower's bank account. The result for the borrower is a substantial savings in interest.

What is a blanket mortgage?
The mortgage that is secured by a cooperative project, as opposed to the share loans on individual units within the project.

What is a breach?
A violation of any legal obligation.

What is a 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. Also known as "swing loan."

What is a broker?
A person who, for a commission or a fee, brings parties together and assists in negotiating contracts between them.

What is a buydown mortgage?
A temporary buydown is a mortgage on which an initial lump sum payment is made by any party to reduce a borrower's monthly payments during the first few years of a mortgage. A permanent buydown reduces the interest rate over the entire life of a mortgage.


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What is a call option?
A provision in the mortgage that gives the mortgagee the right to call the mortgage due and payable at the end of a specified period for whatever reason.

What is a cap?
A provision of an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) that limits how much the interest rate or mortgage payments may increase or decrease.

What is a capital improvement?
Any structure or component erected as a permanent improvement to real property that adds to its value and useful life.

What is a cash-out refinance?
A refinance 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. In other words, a refinance transaction in which the borrower receives additional cash that can be used for any purpose.

What is a certificate of deposit?
Commonly known as a "CD," certificates of deposit bear a maturity date and a specified rate of interest. Penalties may apply for early withdrawal.

What is a certificate of eligibility?
A document issued by the federal government certifying a veteran's eligibility for a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mortgage.

What is a certificate of reasonable value (CRV)?
A document issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that establishes the maximum value and loan amount for a VA mortgage.

What is a certificate of title?
A statement provided by an abstract company, title company, or attorney stating that the title to real estate is legally held by the current owner.

What is a chain of title?
The history of all of the documents that transfer title to a parcel of real property, starting with the earliest existing document and ending with the most recent.

What is a change frequency?
The frequency (in months) of payment and/or interest rate changes in an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM).

What is a clear title?
A title that is free of liens or legal questions as to ownership of the property.

What is a closing?
A meeting at which a sale of a property is finalized by the buyer signing the mortgage documents and paying closing costs. Also called "settlement."

What is a closing cost item?
A fee or amount that a home buyer must pay at closing for a single service, tax, or product. Closing costs are made up of individual closing cost items such as origination fees and attorney's fees. Many closing cost items are included as numbered items on the HUD-1 statement.  Expenses (over and above the price of the property) incurred by buyers and sellers in transferring ownership of a property. Closing costs normally include an origination fee, an attorney's fee, taxes, an amount placed in escrow, and charges for obtaining title insurance and a survey. Closing costs percentage will vary according to the area of the country.

What is a closing statement?
Also referred to as the HUD-1. The final statement of costs incurred to close on a loan or to purchase a home.

What is a cloud on title?
Any conditions revealed by a title search that adversely affect the title to real estate. Usually clouds on title cannot be removed except by a quitclaim deed, release, or court action.

What is collateral?
An asset (such as a car or a home) that guarantees the repayment of a loan. The borrower risks losing the asset if the loan is not repaid according to the terms of the loan contract.

What is a collection?
The efforts used to bring a delinquent mortgage current and to file the necessary notices to proceed with foreclosure when necessary.

What is a combination loan?
With this type of loan, you receive a first mortgage for 80 percent of the loan amount, and a second mortgage at the same time for the remainder of the balance. If avoiding PMI (mortgage insurance) is important to you, consider combination loans--known as 80/10/10 loans or 80/20's.

What is a combined loan-to-value (CLTV)?
The unpaid principal balances of all the mortgages on a property (first and second usually) divided by the property's appraised value.

What is a co-maker on a loan?
A person who signs a promissory note along with the borrower. A co-maker's signature guarantees that the loan will be repaid, because the borrower and the co-maker are equally responsible for the repayment. See endorser.

What is a commission?
The fee charged by a broker or agent for negotiating a real estate or loan transaction. A commission is generally a percentage of the price of the property or loan.

What is a commitment letter?
A formal offer by a lender stating the terms under which it agrees to lend money to a home buyer. Also known as a "loan commitment."

What are common areas?
Those portions of a building, land, and amenities owned (or managed) by a planned unit development (PUD) or condominium project's homeowners' association (or a cooperative project's cooperative corporation) that are used by all of the unit owners, who share in the common expenses of their operation and maintenance. Common areas include swimming pools, tennis courts, and other recreational facilities, as well as common corridors of buildings, parking areas, means of ingress and egress, etc.

What is a Community Home Improvement Mortgage Loan?
An alternative financing option that allows low- and moderate-income home buyers to obtain 95 percent financing for the purchase and improvement of a home in need of modest repairs. The repair work can account for as much as 30 percent of the appraised value.

What is community property?
In some western and southwestern states, a form of ownership under which property acquired during a marriage is presumed to be owned jointly unless acquired as separate property of either spouse.

What are comparables?
An abbreviation for "comparable properties"; used for comparative purposes in the appraisal process. Comparables are properties like the property under consideration; they have reasonably the same size, location, and amenities and have recently been sold. Comparables help the appraiser determine the approximate fair market value of the subject property.

What is compound interest?
E-LOAN CDs and Savings accounts compound interest daily. This refers to any interest earned on an account holder's principal balance, as well as any prior interest.

What is a condominium conversion?
Changing the ownership of an existing building (usually a rental project) to the condominium form of ownership.

What is a conforming loan?
The current conforming loan limit is $417,000 and below. Conforming loan limits change annually.

What is a construction loan?
A short-term, interim loan for financing the cost of construction. The lender makes payments to the builder at periodic intervals as the work progresses.

What is a consumer reporting agency (or bureau)?
An organization that prepares reports that are used by lenders to determine a potential borrower's credit history. The agency obtains data for these reports from a credit repository as well as from other sources.

What is a contingency?
A condition that must be met before a contract is legally binding. For example, home purchasers often include a contingency that specifies that the contract is not binding until the purchaser obtains a satisfactory home inspection report from a qualified home inspector.

What is a conventional mortgage?
A mortgage that is not insured or guaranteed by the federal government.

What is a convertibility clause?
A provision in some adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) that allows the borrower to change the ARM to a fixed-rate mortgage at specified timeframes after loan origination.

What is a convertible ARM?
An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) that can be converted to a fixed-rate mortgage under specified conditions.

What is a cooperative (co-op)?
A type of multiple ownership in which the residents of a multiunit housing complex own shares in the cooperative corporation that owns the property, giving each resident the right to occupy a specific apartment or unit.

What is corporate relocation?
Arrangements under which an employer moves an employee to another area as part of the employer's normal course of business or under which it transfers a substantial part or all of its operations and employees to another area because it is relocating its headquarters or expanding its office capacity.

What is a cost of funds index (COFI)?
An index that is used to determine interest rate changes for certain adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) plans. It represents the weighted-average cost of savings, borrowings, and advances of the 11th District members of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.

What is a covenant?
A clause in a mortgage that obligates or restricts the borrower and that, if violated, can result in foreclosure.

What is a 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.


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What is a deed?
The legal document conveying title to a property.

What is a deed in lieu?
A deed given by a mortgagor to the mortgagee to satisfy a debt and avoid foreclosure.

What is a deed of trust?
The document used in some states instead of a mortgage; title is conveyed to a trustee.

What is default?
Failure to make mortgage payments on a timely basis or to comply with other requirements of a mortgage.

What is delinquency?
Failure to make mortgage payments when mortgage payments are due.

What is depreciation?
A decline in the value of property; the opposite of appreciation.

What is a due-on-sale provision?
A provision in a mortgage that allows the lender to demand repayment in full if the borrower sells the property that serves as security for the mortgage.


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What is an earnest money deposit?
A deposit made by the potential home buyer to show that he or she is serious about buying the house.

What is an easement?
A right of way giving persons other than the owner access to or over a property.

What is an effective age?
An appraiser's estimate of the physical condition of a building. The actual age of a building may be shorter or longer than its effective age.

What is an effective gross income?
Normal annual income including overtime that is regular or guaranteed. The income may be from more than one source. Salary is generally the principal source, but other income may qualify if it is significant and stable.

What is an electronic funds transfer (EFT)?
EFT allows account holders to transfer funds from an account electronically. This method of transfer is not only highly secure, but also extremely efficient and easy to transact.

What is an encumbrance?
Anything that affects or limits the fee simple title to a property, such as mortgages, leases, easements, or restrictions.

What is an endorser?
A person who signs ownership interest over to another party. Contrast with co-maker.

What is the 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.

What is equity?
A homeowner's financial interest in a property. Equity is the difference between the fair market value of the property and the amount still owed on its mortgage.

What is escrow?
An item of value, money, or documents deposited with a third party to be delivered upon the fulfillment of a condition. For example, the deposit by a borrower with the lender of funds to pay taxes and insurance premiums when they become due, or the deposit of funds or documents with an attorney or escrow agent to be disbursed upon the closing of a sale of real estate.

What is an escrow account?
The account in which a mortgage servicer holds the borrower's escrow payments prior to paying property expenses.

What is escrow analysis?
The periodic examination of escrow accounts to determine if current monthly deposits will provide sufficient funds to pay taxes, insurance, and other bills when due.

What are escrow collections?
Funds collected by the servicer and set aside in an escrow account to pay the borrower's property taxes, mortgage insurance, and hazard insurance.

What are escrow disbursements?
The use of escrow funds to pay real estate taxes, hazard insurance, mortgage insurance, and other property expenses as they become due.

What is an escrow payment?
The portion 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. Known as "impounds" or "reserves" in some states.

What is an estate?
The ownership interest of an individual in real property. The sum total of all the real property and personal property owned by an individual at time of death.

What is an eviction?
The lawful expulsion of an occupant from real property.

What is an examination of title?
The report on the title of a property from the public records or an abstract of the title.


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What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act?
A consumer protection law that regulates the disclosure of consumer credit reports by consumer/credit reporting agencies and establishes procedures for correcting mistakes on one's credit record.

What is fair market value?
The highest price that a buyer, willing but not compelled to buy, would pay, and the lowest a seller, willing but not compelled to sell, would accept.

What is Fannie Mae?
A congressionally chartered, shareholder-owned company that is the nation's largest supplier of home mortgage funds.

What is Fannie Mae's Community Home Buyer's Program?
An income-based community lending model, under which mortgage insurers and Fannie Mae offer flexible underwriting guidelines to increase a low- or moderate-income family's buying power and to decrease the total amount of cash needed to purchase a home. Borrowers who participate in this model are required to attend pre-purchase home-buyer education classes.

What is fee simple?
The greatest possible ownership interest a person can have in real estate.

What is the Federal Housing Administration (FHA)?
An agency of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Its main activity is the insuring of residential mortgage loans made by private lenders. The FHA sets standards for construction and underwriting but does not lend money or plan or construct housing.

What is a FHA mortgage?
A mortgage that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Also known as a government mortgage.

What is a finder's fee?
A fee or commission paid to a mortgage broker for finding a mortgage loan for a prospective borrower.

What is a first adjustment?
When you can expect the first rate adjustment in your ARM loan.

What is a first mortgage?
A mortgage that is the primary lien against a property.

What is a float down option?
An option to choose a lower rate within 30 days before the closing of your loan and "float down" to a lower rate than the previously locked-in rate. This allows you to pick the best rate within that time period.

What is a fixed-rate mortgage (FRM)?
A mortgage in which the interest rate does not change during the entire term of the loan.

What is a fixed second mortgage?
See home equity loan.

What is flood insurance?
Insurance that compensates for physical property damage resulting from flooding. It is required for properties located in federally designated flood areas.

What is a foreclosure?
The legal process by which a borrower in default under a mortgage is deprived of his or her interest in the mortgaged property. This usually involves a forced sale of the property at public auction with the proceeds of the sale being applied to the mortgage debt.

What is a 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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good faith estimate
An estimate of charges which a borrower is likely to incur in connection with a settlement.


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What is hazard insurance?
Insurance protecting against loss to real estate caused by fire, some natural causes, vandalism, etc., depending upon the terms of the policy.

What is a home equity line of credit (HELOC)?
a credit line that is secured by a second deed of trust on a house. Equity lines of credit are revolving accounts that work like a credit card, which can be paid down or charged up for the term of the loan. The minimum payment due each month is interest only.

What is a home equity loan?
a loan secured by a second deed of trust on a house, typically used as a home improvement loan.

What is a housing ratio?
The ratio of the monthly housing payment in total (PITI - Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance) divided by the gross monthly income. This ratio is sometimes referred to as the top ratio or front end ratio.

HUD
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.


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What is an index?
A published interest rate to which the interest rate on an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) is tied. Some commonly used indices include the 1 Year Treasury Bill, 6 Month LIBOR, and the 11th District Cost of Funds (COFI).

What is an impound account?
An impound account is an account established by the lender to pay a borrower's tax and insurance costs. The borrower's monthly mortgage payment is then increased to cover these costs, with the additional amount being held in the impound account and disbursed by the lender when the payments are due. Lenders typically prefer this arrangement because it reduces the possibility of a lapse in tax or insurance payments that could diminish the value of the lender's investment (your house). Therefore, while it is often possible to opt out of an impound account it will result in additional charges.

What is an interest-only loan option?
Loan payments have two components, principal and interest. An interest-only loan has no principal component for a specified period of time. These special loans minimize your monthly payments by eliminating the need to pay down your balance during the interest-only period, giving you greater cash flow control and/or increased purchasing power.

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What is a jumbo mortgage?
The current loan limit for a conforming loan is $417,000. Loan amounts of $359,651 and above are considered non-conforming or jumbo mortgages and are usually subject to higher pricing.


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What is a lien?
An encumbrance against property for money due, either voluntary or involuntary.

What is a lender?
The bank, mortgage company, or mortgage broker offering the loan.

What is LIBOR
LIBOR stands for London Inter-Bank Offered Rate. This is a favorable interest rate offered for U.S. dollar deposits between a group of London banks. There are several different LIBOR rates, defined by the maturity of their deposit. The LIBOR is an international index that follows world economic conditions. LIBOR-indexed ARMs offer borrowers aggressive initial rates and have proven to be competitive with popular ARM indexes like the Treasury bill.

What is a lifetime cap?
A provision of an ARM that limits the highest rate that can occur over the life of the loan.

What is a loan to value ratio (LTV)?
The unpaid principal balance of the mortgage on a property divided by the property's appraised value. The LTV will affect programs available to the borrower and generally, the lower the LTV the more favorable the terms of the programs offered by lenders.

What is a loan's lock period?
The amount of time that a lender will guarantee a loan's interest rate. Once you've locked in the interest rate on a loan, the lender will guarantee that rate for a certain period of time, usually for 30, 45 or 60 days.

What is a lock-in?
A written agreement guaranteeing the home buyer a specified interest rate provided the loan is closed within a set period of time. The lock-in also usually specifies the number of points to be paid at closing.


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What is a margin?
The number of percentage points a lender adds to the index value to calculate the ARM interest rate at each adjustment period.

What is a maturity date?
A pre-set date informing account owners when they can withdraw principal funds without incurring a penalty. (Please note that you may withdraw any generated interest before reaching an account's maturity date at E-LOAN.)

What is a mortgage?
A legal document that pledges a property to the lender as security for payment of a debt

What is mortgage disability insurance?
A disability insurance policy which will pay the monthly mortgage payment in the event of a covered disability of an insured borrower for a specified period of time.

What is mortgage insurance (MI)?
Insurance written by an independent mortgage insurance company protecting the mortgage lender against loss incurred by a mortgage default. Usually required for loans with an LTV of 80.01% or higher.

What is a mortgagee?
The person or company who receives the mortgage as a pledge for repayment of the loan. The mortgage lender.

What is a mortgagor?
The mortgage borrower who gives the mortgage as a pledge to repay.


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What is negative amortization?
Negative Amortization, or "deferred interest," occurs when the mortgage payment is less than a loan's accruing interest. This causes a loan's balance to grow instead of reduce or "amortize."

What is a non-conforming loan?
Also called a jumbo loan. Conventional home mortgages not eligible for sale and delivery to either Fannie Mae (FNMA) or Freddie Mac (FHLMC) because of various reasons, including loan amount, loan characteristics or underwriting guidelines. Non-conforming loans usually incur a rate and origination fee premium. The current non-conforming loan limit is $333,701 and above.


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What is an origination fee?
A fee imposed by a lender to cover certain processing expenses in connection with making a real estate loan. Usually a percentage of the amount loaned, such as one percent.

What is owner financing?
A property purchase transaction in which the property seller provides all or part of the financing.


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What is a periodic cap?
The maximum rate increase for a specific period for a specific loan (ARM) only.

What is PITI?
Principal, interest, taxes and insurance--the components of a monthly mortgage payment.

What are planned unit developments (PUD)?
A subdivision of five or more individually owned lots with one or more other parcels owned in common or with reciprocal rights in one or more other parcels.

What are points?
Charges levied by the mortgage lender and usually payable at closing. One point represents 1% of the face value of the mortgage loan.

What are prepaids?
Those expenses of property which are paid in advance of their due date and will usually be prorated upon sale, such as taxes, insurance, rent, etc.

What is a prepayment penalty?
A charge imposed by a mortgage lender on a borrower who wants to pay off part or all of a mortgage loan in advance of schedule.

What is principal?
This term refers to the total amount of money originally deposited into a Savings or CD account. When taking out a loan however, it refers to the amount of debt, not including interest.

What is private mortgage insurance (PMI)?
Insurance provided by nongovernment insurers that protects lenders against loss if a borrower defaults. Fannie Mae generally requires private mortgage insurance for loans with loan-to-value (LTV) percentages greater than 80%.


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What are qualifying ratios?
The ratio of your fixed monthly expenses to your gross monthly income, used to determine how much you can afford to borrow. The fixed monthly expenses would include PITI along with other obligations such as student loans, car loans, or credit card payments.


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What is the rate?
The annual rate of interest on a loan, expressed as a percentage of 100.

What is a rate cap?
A limit on how much the interest rate can change, either at each adjustment period or over the life of the loan.

What is a rate lock-in?
A written agreement in which the lender guarantees the borrower a specified interest rate, provided the loan closes within a set period of time.

What is a rebate?
Compensation received from a wholesale lender which can be used to cover closing costs or as a refund to the borrower. Loans with rebates often carry higher interest rates than loans with "points" (see above).

What is refinancing?
The process of paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan using the same property as security.

What is a residential mortgage credit report (RMCR)?
A report requested by your lender that utilizes information from at least two of the three national credit bureaus and information provided on your loan application.


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What is a seller carry back?
An agreement in which the owner of a property provides financing, often in combination with an assumed mortgage.

What is simple interest?
An amount earned on an account holder's principal, according to a specified rate. This does not include any compounding interest.

What is stated or documented income?
Some loan products require only that applicants "state" the source of their income without providing supporting documentation such as tax returns.

What is subordination?
If you are refinancing your first mortgage and have an existing second or home equity line, one option is to "subordinate" the second mortgage: request that your second mortgage holder go back into the second lien position when you replace your existing first mortgage with the new refinance loan.

What is a survey?
A print showing the measurements of the boundaries of a parcel of land, together with the location of all improvements on the land and sometimes its area and topography.


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What are tenants in common?
An undivided interest in property taken by two or more persons. The interest need not be equal. Upon death of one or more persons, there is no right of survivorship.

What is title insurance?
Insurance against loss resulting from defects of title to a specifically described parcel of real property.

What is a title search?
An investigation into the history of ownership of a property to check for liens, unpaid claims, restrictions or problems, to prove that the seller can transfer free and clear ownership.

What is a total debt ratio?
Monthly debt and housing payments divided by gross monthly income. Also known as Obligations-to-Income Ratio or Back-End Ratio.


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What is a variable rate?
An interest rate that may change once an account opens.

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