Glossary of Terms

• Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM)

A mortgage in which your interest rate and monthly payments may change periodically during the life of the loan based on the fluctuation of an index. Lenders may charge a lower interest rate for the initial period of the loan. Most ARMs have a rate cap that limits the amount the interest rate can change, both in an adjustment period, and over the life of the loan. Also called a variable-rate mortgage.

• Amortization

The gradual reduction in the principal amount owed on a debt. During the earlier years, most of each payment is applied toward the interest owed. During the final years of the loan, payment amounts are applied almost exclusively to the remaining principal, unless there has been negative amortization.

• Amortization table

A time table or schedule to give you a breakdown of your monthly payments into principal and interest. You can use this schedule to figure out the amount of principal you’ll repay during your mortgage term.

• Amortization term

The amount of time required to amortize (or pay off) the loan. The amortization term is expressed in months. For example, for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, the amortization term is 180 months.

• Annual fee

An annual amount you pay for having an open line of credit.

• Annual adjustment cap

A limit on how much the variable interest rate on a loan can increase or decrease each year.

• Annual percentage rate (APR)

The annual cost of a loan to a borrower. Like an interest rate, the APR is expressed as a percentage of the loan amount. Unlike an interest rate, however, it includes other charges or fees to reflect the total cost of the loan. The Federal Truth in Lending Act requires that every consumer loan agreement disclose the APR. Since all lenders must follow the same rules to ensure the accuracy of the APR, borrowers can use the APR as a good basis for comparing certain costs of loans.

• Application fees

Non-refundable fees paid when you apply for your loan. They may include charges for property appraisal, a credit profile and so forth.

• Appraisal or appraised value

An informed estimate of the value of property. When made in connection with an application for a loan secured by a home, it’s usually made by a professional appraiser. It’s sometimes called a property valuation.

• Appraisal fee

The charge for estimating the value of property.

• Appraised

An informed estimate of the value of property. When made in connection with an application for a loan secured by a home, it’s usually made by a professional appraiser. It’s sometimes called a property valuation.

• Appreciation

An increase in the value of property over time. Important factors in a home’s appreciation are its location and condition, and the selling price of similar homes in the area. Appreciation increases the amount of equity, which may also increase the amount you can borrow for a home equity loan or line of credit. The opposite of depreciation.

• Asset

Property or a possession of value that a lender may be willing to accept as collateral to secure repayment of debt. For example, real estate, stocks, mutual funds, cash and automobiles are all assets.

• Assumable

When you sell your home, your buyer may be able to qualify to take over your existing mortgage at your current rate. This can be beneficial if interest rates have risen above the rate you’re currently paying on your mortgage. The lower-interest rate benefit may make your home more affordable to prospective homebuyers.

• Available funds

• Balance sheet

A dated financial statement (in table form) that shows your assets, liabilities and net worth.

• Balloon loan

A short-term loan with smaller payments for a certain period of time, and one or more large payments for the remaining principal amount, due at a specified time.

• Balloon payment

A lump-sum payment, which is larger than your regular periodic payment, that’s paid at the end of your loan repayment period.

• Bankruptcy

A proceeding in federal court altering or eliminating an eligible individual’s obligations to repay some or all of his or her creditors. A borrower may relieve debts by transferring his or her assets to a trustee. Different chapters or types of bankruptcy exist. If a person files bankruptcy, a record of the filing appears on the borrower’s credit report for up to 10 years.

• Base rate

The underlying interest rate used as a benchmark, or index, for pricing variable-rate loans such as adjustable-rate mortgages, auto loans or credit cards.

• Basis point

An amount equal to 1/100th of a percentage point. For example, a fee calculated as 50 basis points of $200,000 would be 0.50% or $1000.

• Bi-weekly

Every other week. Some loans offer a bi-weekly payment option, which requires 26 half payments per year (amounting to one additional full payment each year). This option allows you to pay your loan off more quickly and to build equity faster. Sometimes there are costs associated with choosing this option.

• Blue Book value

Refers to the Kelley Blue Book, a guide and Web site that lists suggested values for new and used cars.

• Breach

A violation of any legal obligation or contract.

• Broker

A third party who helps arrange funding or negotiates a contract between parties, but does not lend the money himself or herself.

• Buydown

• Cap

A limit on how much a variable interest rate can increase. Many adjustable rate mortgages have both annual (or semi-annual) rate caps and lifetime caps. They limit the amount your payments can increase in an adjustment period and over the life of the loan.

• Capitalized cost

The amount financed under a lease agreement.

• Closed-end lease

A lease that predetermines what the specific value of the leased item will be at the end of the lease, and the fees that may be due at that time.

• Closing

The time and place at which all documents for your loan are signed, dated and notarized. Also called a settlement.

• Closing costs

Fees paid at or prior to the closing of your loan. They may include attorneys’ fees, as well as fees for preparing and filing a mortgage, and for taxes, title search, and insurance. They include the expenses incurred in obtaining the loan and in transferring the ownership of any collateral property from the seller to the buyer. Generally closing costs range from 2% to 6% of the mortgage amount.

• Co-borrower

An additional person who assumes equal responsibility for repayment of a loan and is fully obligated under the terms of the loan. This person also has equal rights to the proceeds of the loan.

• Collateral

An asset, such as a car or a home, used for securing the repayment of a loan. The borrower risks losing the asset if the loan is not repaid.

• Collision insurance

Auto insurance that pays for repairing the damage to your car when you’ve been in a collision with another auto.

• Combined loan-to-value ratio (CLTV)

The ratio between the unpaid principal amount of your first mortgage, plus your home equity loan – or your credit limit in the case of a line of credit – and the appraised value of your home. Expressed as a percentage.

• Commission

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

• Comprehensive insurance

Auto insurance that pays for repairing the damage sustained to your car in a non-collision accident. For example, theft, vandalism or bad weather.

• Condominium or condo

A building or development with many housing units where each person owns his or her individual unit and shares an interest in the common areas and facilities of the entire project. You go through the same process of buying a condo as you do when buying a house, and have a deed to and a mortgage on your particular unit. You also pay property taxes on your unit.

• Conforming loan

A mortgage loan that has the standard features as defined by and is eligible for sale to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

• Contingency

A specified condition that the sales contract requires must be satisfied before the home sale can occur. When buying a home, the two most common contingencies are that the house must pass inspection and that the borrower must be approved for a loan.

• Contract

An oral or written agreement to do, or not to do, a certain thing.

• Co-signer

A second person who signs your loan and assumes equal responsibility for payment of the loan but receives no benefit from the loan proceeds.

• Cost benefit analysis

A dollar-value analysis that compares the benefits of owning a home to the costs. Some home ownership benefits may include: tax savings you may receive on the mortgage interest and property taxes you pay; and the appreciation that may occur in the value of your home over time, building your home equity. Home ownership costs may include: interest you pay on the loan; closing costs, including any mortgage points; property taxes and homeowner’s insurance premiums; private mortgage insurance premiums; and maintenance costs including those associated with normal wear and tear and weathering.

• Credit

An arrangement in which a borrower receives something of value in exchange for a promise to repay the lender at a later date.

• Credit reporting agency or credit bureau

An organization that gathers, records, updates and stores financial and public records of individuals who have been granted credit and provides this information to lenders and other authorized users for a fee.

• Credit history

A record of an individual’s debts and payment habits over time. It helps a lender determine whether or not a potential borrower is a good business risk.

• Credit limit

The maximum amount you can borrow under a line of credit.

• Credit report

A record of an individual’s debts and payment habits. It helps a lender determine whether or not a potential borrower is a good business risk.

• Credit score

A number, rating the quality of an individual’s credit. Lenders calculate this number, often with the assistance of computer systems, as part of the process of assigning rates and terms to the loans they make.

• Creditor

A person or business from whom you borrow or to whom you owe money.

• Creditworthiness

• Dealer charges

Charges for features sold separately by an auto dealer, such as rustproofing, undercoating, extended warranties or additional options.

• Dealer holdback

The difference between the amount on the invoice and what an auto dealer pays the manufacturer. This difference can be 2% to 3% of the car’s MSRP.

• Dealer incentives

Reduced-price programs that auto manufacturers can offer their dealers to boost sales of less popular models or reduce inventories. The dealers can then decide whether to pass these savings on to their customers.

• Dealer invoice

The amount that auto manufacturers charge dealers for new cars, including the options.

• Dealer sticker price

The Monroney sticker price plus the suggested mark-up for features the dealer installs himself.

• Debt

An amount of money owed by one person, company, organization or other entity to another.

• Debt consolidation

A single loan to pay off multiple debts, usually over a longer term. This is a popular use of home equity loan or line of credit.

• Debt-to-income ratio

The percentage of your total debt compared to your total income before taxes. Many lenders like to see your debt (including your mortgage payments) be no more than 36% of your total income.

• Deed (warranty or quit-claim)

A document that legally transfers ownership of real estate from a seller to a buyer. It’s delivered to the buyer at closing. Before making a loan, a lender will usually require a title search or a title report to make sure the real estate that is to secure the loan is legally owned by the borrower.

• Default

Failure to make mortgage payments on time or to meet other terms of a loan. Default can lead to foreclosure.

• Delinquency

Failure to make payments on time.

• Depreciation

A decline in the value of property due to wear and tear or any other reason. The opposite of appreciation.

• Destination charge

The actual costs the dealer pays for shipping and delivering a new car. The dealer then charges you this fee, with no mark-up.

• Disclosures

Information given to consumers about their loans.

• Discount points

Typically, an amount paid at closing to the lender in conjunction with a mortgage loan in order to lower the interest rate. One discount point equals one percentage point of the loan amount.

• Document preparation fee

Fee required to cover the cost of preparing the necessary documents for closing.

• Document drawn date

The date on which your legal documents are prepared for closing.

• Down payment

The amount of cash you pay toward the purchase of your home to make up the difference between the purchase price and your mortgage loan. Down payments often range between 5% and 20% of the sales price depending on many factors, including your loan, your lender, your credit history and so forth.

• Draw

The process of obtaining an advance against your available credit under your line of credit.

• Draw period

• Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)

A federal law that requires lenders and other creditors to make credit available without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status or receipt of income from public assistance programs.

• Equity

The difference between the fair market value (appraised value) of your home and your outstanding mortgage balances and other liens.

• Escrow

• Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

Congress passed this act to give consumers certain rights when dealing with consumer reporting agencies, or CRAs. CRAs are required to provide accurate credit histories to authorized businesses for use in evaluating applications for insurance, employment, credit or loans.

• Fair market value

The likely selling price of a home between a willing buyer and a willing seller on the open market. In a mortgage or a home equity loan, the fair market value is usually determined by an appraisal.

• Fannie Mae

Federal National Mortgage Association, a government-sponsored enterprise which buys and securitizes mortgages for re-sale in the secondary market.

• FHA

An acronym for Federal Housing Administration, which is an agency of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The FHA provides mortgage insurance for certain residential mortgages. It sets standards for underwriting these mortgages and for construction of homes secured by these mortgages.

• FICO

An acronym for Fair Isaac Company, Inc., which develops the mathematical formulas used to produce credit scores for assessing credit risk.

• Finance charge

The finance charge is the cost of consumer credit expressed as a dollar amount. It includes the amount of interest you will pay during the terms of the loan, origination points and certain other items. Some closing costs are not treated as finance charges.

• First mortgage

A mortgage that is the senior lien against a property.

• Fixed-rate option or fixed-rate loan option

An option available on all Bank of America home equity lines of credit allowing borrowers to fix the payments and interest rate on all or a portion of their outstanding principal balance for a specific term. Customers may be charged a fee for this privilege.

• Fixed-rate mortgage

A home loan with a predetermined fixed interest rate for the entire term of your loan. This means that the interest rate will never change for as long as you have the loan.

• Flood certification

A determination by a reputable source about whether property is located within a special flood hazard zone.

• Foreclosure

A legal procedure in which property securing a defaulted loan is sold by the lender in order to repay a borrower’s loan. The amount paid by a buyer at the foreclosure may not be enough to fully repay the loan and the borrower may continue to owe the lender the difference.

• Freddie Mac

• GAP insurance

An acronym for guaranteed auto protection insurance.

• Gift funds

The funds a borrower receives that do not have to be paid back.

• Good faith estimate (GFE)

An itemized, detailed list of certain estimated costs associated with a home loan that the lender is required to provide to the borrower within three business days of the application.

• Gross annual income

The total amount of income from all sources (not just salary) that a borrower receives per year before deductions.

• Guaranteed auto protection (GAP) insurance

• Home equity line of credit (HELOC)

A line of credit secured by the equity in a borrower’s residence. It can be used for home improvements, debt consolidation and other major purchases or expenses. Interest on these loans may be tax deductible. (Consult a tax advisor and IRS Publication 936 [Mortgage Interest Deduction] regarding deductibility of interest.) At closing, a credit limit is established. In most cases, the borrower can access the line of credit by a variety of access devices, such as convenience checks, debit cards and credit cards.

• Home equity loan

An installment loan secured by the equity in a borrower’s residence. It can be used for home improvements, debt consolidation and other major purchases or expenses. Interest on these loans may be tax deductible. (Consult a tax advisor and IRS Publication 936 [Mortgage Interest Deduction] regarding deductibility of interest.) On the funding date, all of the principal is advanced for the benefit of the borrower(s).

• Home inspection

An inspection of the condition of a property. It’s conducted by a third party who knows what to look for, including all major appliances and structural elements. If an inspector finds something wrong, and your sales contract allows you to, you can request that the seller pay for the repairs. If the seller refuses, and your sales contract allows you to, you may not have to proceed with the purchase of the home.

• Homeowners’ association

An organization of property owners that administers the rules and upholds the covenants of a subdivision, development or condominium complex.

• Homeowners’ insurance

Insurance to protect your home against damage from fire, hurricanes and other catastrophes. Usually, homeowners’ insurance also covers you against theft and vandalism, as well as personal liability in case someone is hurt or injured on your property. A lender will likely require you to name it as a payee under the insurance if you need to make a claim.

• HUD

• Impound account or escrow account

An account specifically set up by a lender to hold funds that are set aside for the payment of property taxes and insurance. These funds are held in escrow until disbursed on behalf of the borrower to the appropriate parties.

• Index

When used in a note or credit agreement, the measurement used to decide how much the annual percentage rate will change at the beginning of each adjustment period. Generally, the index plus margin equals the new rate that will be charged, subject to any caps. Different lenders use different index rates (cost of funds index, prime rate and so forth).

• Inflation rate

The increase in price of consumer goods, usually expressed as a percentage over a specific period of time.

• Initial rate

The starting interest rate. Some people call this a teaser rate, because it gives you low interest and low monthly payments at the beginning, but may adjust up at the next adjustment period (it will usually adjust even if the index doesn’t go up, since it’s lower than index plus margin for the initial period).

• Interest

A charge paid for borrowing money.

• Interest-only payments

Some lenders permit you to pay only the interest due on a loan for a portion of the loan term, which lowers your periodic payment, but does not decrease your principal balance on the loan. See balloon loan and balloon payment.

• Interest rate

Cost for the use of a loan, usually expressed as a percentage of the loan, paid over a specific period of time. The interest rate does not include fees charged for the loan. See annual percentage rate.

• Interest rate cap

A limit on how much the variable interest rate can increase at any one time. Many real estate loans have both annual (or semi-annual) caps and lifetime caps, which limit the amount your payments can increase in an adjustment period and over the life of the loan.

• Investment property

Property that is purchased to generate rental income, or to be sold once it’s appreciated in value.

• Invoice price

• Jumbo loan

• Late charge

The penalty charged to the borrower when a payment is made past the due date and any allowable grace period.

• Lender

An individual or business entity making a loan.

• Lien

A legal claim of a creditor on the property of another as security for a debt.

• Lien holder

An individual or entity that has placed a lien on real property.

• Lifetime adjustment cap

A limit on how much the variable interest rate can increase during the term of a loan.

• Line of credit

An agreement by a lender to extend credit up to a maximum amount for a specified time. In a home equity line of credit, the line of credit is secured by the borrower’s home.

• Listing price

The asking price of the home, or the price the home is listed for.

• Liquidate

To sell assets for the purpose of accumulating cash.

• Loan application

The process of providing financial and other information (such as employment history and proposed collateral) by a prospective borrower in conjunction with a request for credit.

• Loan amount

The amount of debt, not including interest.

• Loan term

The period of time during which a loan must be repaid. For example, a 30-year fixed loan has a term of 30 years. Also called term. See maturity date.

• Loan-to-value ratio (LTV)

The ratio between the unpaid principal amount of your loan, or your credit limit in the case of a line of credit, and the appraised value of your collateral. Expressed as a percentage.

• Lock-in

• Manufactured housing

A structure that has been partially or entirely constructed at another location and moved onto the property (on a permanent foundation). A manufactured home may or may not be a mobile home.

• Manufacturer’s rebate

Money you’ll get back from the manufacturer if you buy a specific model and otherwise comply with the terms of the rebate program.

• Margin

The number of percentage points the lender adds to the index rate to determine the interest rate.

• Market value

The likely selling price of a home between a willing buyer and a willing seller on the open market. In a mortgage or a home equity loan, the fair market value is usually determined by an appraisal. Also called fair market value.

• Maturity date

The day on which all outstanding principal, interest and fees must be repaid.

• Minimum payment

The minimum amount you must pay (usually monthly) on your account to avoid a delinquency. Some loans may permit a minimum payment of interest only. Other loans may require a minimum payment of principal and interest. Many other variations of minimum payments exist.

• Mobile home

A type of residence that’s built upon a wheeled chassis that can be transported from site to site.

• Modular home

A factory-built home that’s erected on-site, with the appearance and characteristics of a site-built residence.

• Monthly payment

The amount paid each month toward the principal and interest amount of a loan. The monthly payment may or may not include taxes and insurance.

• Monroney sticker price

The information contained on the sticker that’s taped to the side window of every new and used car offered by every dealer. It tells you the base price of the car, the options that are already installed, the freight charge, the MSRP and the fuel economy. Federal law requires the label and it is illegal for anyone to remove it other than the buyer.

• Mortgage

A legal document giving a lender a lien on real estate to secure repayment of a loan. Mortgage loans generally run from 10 to 30 years, after which the loan is required to be paid off. Also called deed of trust and/or security deed.

• Mortgage insurance

Insurance that protects the lender if you default on your loan. This insurance usually costs from 0.15% to 2.5% of the loan amount. If your down payment is less than 20%, most lenders will require you to get mortgage insurance. Also called private mortgage insurance (PMI).

• Mortgage points

A point is equal to 1% of the principal amount of your loan. Mortgage points are usually collected at closing. Also called points.

• Mortgagee

The lender or other party named in the mortgage as the party who’s entitled to receive repayment of the home loan.

• Mortgagor

The borrower, or other party named in the mortgage as the party obligated to repay the home loan.

• MSRP

An acronym for manufacturer’s suggested retail price. The amount for which the manufacturer would like to sell the car.

• Multi-family residence (two to four units)

• Negative amortization

The result when monthly payments don’t cover all the interest due on the loan. The unpaid interest is added to the unpaid balance, which means the homebuyer will owe increasingly more than the original amount of the loan.

• Non-conforming loan

A mortgage loan that’s not eligible for sale to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac due to non-standard features. These loans are often sold on the secondary market to private investors or held in the lender’s portfolio as an asset.

• Non-owner occupied

Properties in which the owner does not live.

• Notarize

Act by a notary public who witnesses the signing of documents, authenticating the identity of the signer.

• Note

• Open-end lease

This lease leaves open the amount you may have to pay at the end of the lease term, as opposed to a closed-end lease. At the end of an open-end lease, you will have to pay the difference between the residual value and fair market value of the car, if the fair market value is lower.

• Origination date

The date on which a loan was closed. See closing.

• Origination fee

A fee imposed by a lender to cover certain processing expenses in connection with making a loan. Usually a percentage of the amount loaned (often 1%).

• Outstanding balance

The balance owed on a debt on a given day.

• Owner-occupied

• Payment

The periodic amount of money to be paid by the borrower to reduce the balance of a loan. Sometimes referred to as principal and interest or P&I.

• Payment cap

A limit on how much a monthly payment can increase at any one time. Some adjustable-rate mortgages have payment caps in addition to annual (or semi-annual) interest rate caps and lifetime interest rate caps. Payment caps don’t limit the amount of interest charged and may cause negative amortization. Also called a cap.

• P and I

An acronym meaning principal and interest. Principal and interest accounts for the majority of your mortgage payment, but doesn’t include escrow payments for taxes, insurance, and any other costs that are paid monthly, or fees that periodically come due.

• Per diem interest

The amount of interest that accrues daily on a loan. This is calculated by multiplying the outstanding loan balance by the annual rate of interest and then dividing the result by 365.

• PITI

An acronym for principal, interest, taxes and insurance. Also referred to as the monthly housing expense.

• PMI

An acronym for private mortgage insurance. If your down payment is less than 20%, most lenders will require you to get private mortgage insurance. This is insurance that protects the lender if you default on your loan. This insurance usually costs from 0.15% to 2.5% of the loan amount. Also called mortgage insurance.

• Points

Each point is equal to 1% of the loan amount (for example, two points on a $100,000 mortgage would cost $2,000). Points, if charged, are usually collected at settlement with all other closing costs. Negative points reflect the amount that will be credited to you and reduce the amount of closing costs you will pay. Also referred to as discount points.

• Prepaid expenses

The expenses that are usually paid in advance, such as escrows for taxes and insurance, which are paid at closing.

• Prepaid interest

The interim interest that’s collected at closing of a first mortgage, covering the period from the date of disbursement to the first of the next month.

• Prepayment penalty

A penalty assessed by some lenders if a loan is paid off early. This is a lump-sum amount due and payable in addition to the loan balance, and is usually limited to the early years of a mortgage. Not all loans have prepayment penalties.

• Preparation charges

The charges you pay the dealer for preparing your new car for delivery. These costs may include fueling and servicing the car as well as any cosmetic changes the dealer makes before the sale.

• Prequalification

The process of providing financial and other information (such as employment history and proposed collateral) by a prospective borrower in conjunction with determining how much loan the borrower can obtain for the purchase of a home.

• Previous balance

The amount you owed at the end of the previous payment period. If your credit card company calculates your finance charge using the previous balance method, you pay interest on that amount. Any payments, credits or new purchases made during the current payment period are not counted.

• Primary applicant

The applicant whose name appears first on the application.

• Primary residence

This is the home in which a borrower resides most of the time.

• Prime rate

The interest rate that banks charge to their most creditworthy customers on short-term loans.

• Principal

The amount of money borrowed on a loan.

• Processing fee

A fee charged to cover the administrative costs of processing your loan request.

• Property tax

• Rate

The rate of interest on a loan, expressed as a percentage of 100.

• Rate cap

A limit on how much the interest rate can change, either per adjustment period or over the term of the loan.

• Reconditioning reserve

An auto leasing term synonymous with a security deposit. This is a deposit you pay in the event a leased auto’s condition deteriorates to a point where reconditioning is necessary.

• Refinancing

Paying off one loan with the proceeds from another loan, generally using the same property as collateral.

• Relocation

The process of moving one’s residence from one location to another, often having to do with a change of employment.

• Repayment period

In a line of credit, the period when no advances of principal are available and during which the line must be fully repaid, according to the payment terms. In a home equity line of credit, the repayment period is the portion of the loan term that follows the draw period.

• Rescission

The cancellation of a contract. In certain real estate-secured transactions that involve the refinance of a primary residence, applicants have three business days to cancel the transaction.

• Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)

The federal law that defines the rules for proper disclosure of fees and information related to residential real estate transactions.

• Residual value

The remaining value of your new car at the end of the lease term. It’s also called book value, and includes normal depreciation.

• Revolving line of credit

• Savings rate

The rate of return you receive on your investments, stated as a yearly percentage rate. Also called the rate of return.

• Secondary market

The market in which lenders and investors buy and sell existing mortgages or mortgage-backed securities, which in turn provides greater availability of funds to lenders for additional mortgage lending.

• Second mortgage

The traditional term for a home loan that’s a subordinate lien and not a first mortgage, such as a home equity loan or line of credit.

• Secured loans

Loans for which you’ve given the lender a lien on property such as an auto, boat or other personal property or real estate that will serve as collateral for the loan.

• Secure Socket Layer (SSL)

A protocol designed to increase security on the Internet. It allows encrypted files to be transferred from one computer to another.

• Security interest

The legal right an owner gives to a lender to use the owner’s property as collateral for repayment of a debt to either the owner or another borrower.

• Settlement

The completion of a property’s sale or purchase, or the completion of all steps necessary to receive the proceeds of and create an obligation to repay a loan. Also called a closing.

• Settlement costs

Fees paid at, or prior to, the closing of your loan. They may include attorneys’ fees, as well as fees for preparing and filing a mortgage, and for taxes, title search, and insurance. They’re all the expenses incurred in obtaining the loan and in transferring the ownership of property from the seller to the buyer. Generally, settlement costs range from 2% to 5% of the mortgage amount. Also called closing costs.

• Single-family residence (SFR)

• Tax rate

The percentage of your income that you owe in income taxes.

• Tax savings

The amount you may save in taxes by itemizing deductions on income tax returns. Mortgage interest and property taxes are two expenses that you may realize tax savings on, since you may be able to deduct these expenses from your income. Always check with your tax advisor for advice on tax deductibility.

• Term

• Third-party fees

Fees charged for services rendered by parties other than the borrower or the lender. Such fees may include appraisal, credit report, title and flood certifications.

• Title

Written evidence of ownership in property.

• Title insurance

Insurance that protects an interested party, either the owner or the lender, against defects that would affect legal ownership of the property.

• Title search

An examination of records used to determine the legal ownership of property and all liens and encumbrances on it. Usually performed by a title company or attorney.

• Titleholder

The legal owner of real property, including a home or automobile.

• Total cash required to close

The total of all closing costs, points, prepaid expenses, down payment and any other fees or adjustments due at closing.

• Total housing expense

The total of all of your combined expenses due to the ownership of property, including: principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, mortgage insurance, homeowners’ association dues and any special assessments.

• Townhome

A type of residence that shares common walls with other dwellings.

• Trade-in value

The dollar amount the dealer will give you for the car you now own as a down payment on the car you want to buy.

• Transaction fee

The fee that may be charged each time you draw on your credit line.

• Truth-in-Lending Act

A federal law requiring disclosure of credit terms using a standard format. This is intended to facilitate comparisons between the lending terms of different financial institutions.

• Types of loans

• Underwriting

The lender’s process of deciding whether to make a loan to a potential borrower based on credit, employment, assets and other factors, and the matching of this risk to an appropriate rate, term and loan amount.

• Unsecured lines of credit

Revolving line of credit that is not secured, typically accessed with a check or credit card.

• Upfront costs

• VA

An acronym for the Veterans Affairs, a branch of the federal government that provides home loan guarantees for qualified veterans of U.S. military forces.

• Variable rate

An interest rate that may fluctuate or change periodically, often in relation to an index, such as the prime rate or other criteria. Payments may increase or decrease accordingly.