REAL ESTATE FINANCING GLOSSARY

original principal balance
The total amount of principal owed on a mortgage before any payments are made. (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

origination fee
On a government loan the loan origination fee is one percent of the loan amount, but additional points may be charged which are called "discount points." One point equals one percent of the loan amount. On a conventional loan, the loan origination fee refers to the total number of points a borrower pays. (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

owner financing
A property purchase transaction in which the property seller provides all or part of the financing. (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

partial payment
A payment that is not sufficient to cover the scheduled monthly payment on a mortgage loan. Normally, a lender will not accept a partial payment, but in times of hardship you can make this request of the loan servicing collection department. (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

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 interest rate adjustment date.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

periodic payment cap
For an adjustable-rate mortgage where the interest rate and the minimum payment amount fluctuate independently of one another, this is a limit on the amount that payments can increase or decrease during any one adjustment period.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

periodic rate cap
For an adjustable-rate mortgage, 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.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

personal property
Any property that is not real property.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

PITI
This stands for principal, interest, taxes and insurance. If you have an "impounded" loan, then your monthly payment to the lender includes all of these and probably includes mortgage insurance as well. If you do not have an impounded account, then the lender still calculates this amount and uses it as part of determining your debt-to-income ratio.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

PITI reserves
A cash amount that a borrower must have on hand after making a down payment and paying all closing costs for the purchase of a home. The principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI) reserves must equal the amount that the borrower would have to pay for PITI for a predefined number of months. (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

planned unit development (PUD)
A type of ownership where individuals actually own the building or unit they live in, but common areas are owned jointly with the other members of the development or association. Contrast with condominium, where an individual actually owns the airspace of his unit, but the buildings and common areas are owned jointly with the others in the development or association. (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

point
A point is 1 percent of the amount of the mortgage.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

power of attorney
A legal document that authorizes another person to act on one’s behalf. A power of attorney can grant complete authority or can be limited to certain acts and/or certain periods of time.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

pre-approval
A loosely used term which is generally taken to mean that a borrower has completed a loan application and provided debt, income, and savings documentation which an underwriter has reviewed and approved. A pre-approval is usually done at a certain loan amount and making assumptions about what the interest rate will actually be at the time the loan is actually made, as well as estimates for the amount that will be paid for property taxes, insurance and others. A pre-approval applies only to the borrower. Once a property is chosen, it must also meet the underwriting guidelines of the lender. Contrast with pre-qualification being unverified information.   (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

prepayment
Any amount paid to reduce the principal balance of a loan before the due date. Payment in full on a mortgage that may result from a sale of the property, the owner's decision to pay off the loan in full, or a foreclosure. In each case, prepayment means payment occurs before the loan has been fully amortized.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

prepayment penalty
A fee that may be charged to a borrower who pays off a loan before it is due.   (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

pre-qualification
This usually refers to the loan officer’s written opinion of the ability of a borrower to qualify for a home loan, after the loan officer has made inquiries about debt, income, and savings. The information provided to the loan officer may have been presented verbally or in the form of documentation, and the loan officer may or may not have reviewed a credit report on the borrower.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

prime rate
The interest rate that banks charge to their preferred customers. Changes in the prime rate are widely publicized in the news media and are used as the indexes in some adjustable rate mortgages, especially home equity lines of credit. Changes in the prime rate do not directly affect other types of mortgages, but the same factors that influence the prime rate also affect the interest rates of mortgage loans.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

principal
The amount borrowed or remaining unpaid. The part of the monthly payment that reduces the remaining balance of a mortgage.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

principal balance
The outstanding balance of principal on a mortgage. The principal balance does not include interest or any other charges. See remaining balance.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI)
The four components of a monthly mortgage payment on impounded loans. 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 amounts that are paid into an escrow account each month for property taxes and mortgage and hazard insurance.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

private mortgage insurance (MI)
Mortgage insurance that is provided by a private mortgage insurance company to protect lenders against loss if a borrower defaults. Most lenders generally require MI for a loan with a loan-to-value (LTV) percentage in excess of 80 percent.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

promissory note
A written promise to repay a specified amount over a specified period of time.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

public auction
A meeting in an announced public location to sell property to repay a mortgage that is in default. (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

Planned Unit Development (PUD)
A project or subdivision that includes common property that is owned and maintained by a homeowners' association for the benefit and use of the individual PUD unit owners.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

purchase agreement
A written contract signed by the buyer and seller stating the terms and conditions under which a property will be sold.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

purchase money transaction
The acquisition of property through the payment of money or its equivalent.   (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

qualifying ratios
Calculations that are used in determining whether a borrower can qualify for a mortgage. There are two ratios. The "top" or "front" ratio is a calculation of the borrower’s monthly housing costs (principle, taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance, homeowner’s association fees) as a percentage of monthly income. The "back" or "bottom" ratio includes housing costs as will as all other monthly debt.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

quitclaim deed
A deed that transfers without warranty whatever interest or title a grantor may have at the time the conveyance is made.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

rate lock
A commitment issued by a lender to a borrower or other mortgage originator guaranteeing a specified interest rate for a specified period of time at a specific cost. (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

real estate agent
A person licensed to negotiate and transact the sale of real estate. (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)
A consumer protection law that requires lenders to give borrowers advance notice of closing costs. (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

real property
Land and appurtenances, including anything of a permanent nature such as structures, trees, minerals, and the interest, benefits, and inherent rights thereof.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

Realtor^®
A real estate agent, broker or an associate who holds active membership in a local real estate board that is affiliated with the National Association of Realtors. (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

recorder
The public official who keeps records of transactions that affect real property in the area. Sometimes known as a "Registrar of Deeds" or "County Clerk." (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

recording
The noting in the registrar’s office of the details of a properly executed legal document, such as a deed, a mortgage note, a satisfaction of mortgage, or an extension of mortgage, thereby making it a part of the public record. (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

refinance transaction
The process of paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan using the same property as security. (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

remaining balance
The amount of principal that has not yet been repaid. See principal balance.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

remaining term
The original amortization term minus the number of payments that have been applied.   (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

rent loss insurance
Insurance that protects a landlord against loss of rent or rental value due to fire or other casualty that renders the leased premises unavailable for use and as a result of which the tenant is excused from paying rent. (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

repayment plan
An arrangement made to repay delinquent installments or advances.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

replacement reserve fund
A fund set aside for replacement of common property in a condominium, PUD, or cooperative project -- particularly that which has a short life expectancy, such as carpeting, furniture, etc.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

revolving debt
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. The borrower is billed for the amount that is actually borrowed plus any interest due.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

right of first refusal
A provision in an agreement that requires the owner of a property to give another party the first opportunity to purchase or lease the property before he or she offers it for sale or lease to others.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

right of ingress or egress
The right to enter or leave designated premises.  (Top  * A-G *  H-N )

right of survivorship
In joint tenancy, the right of survivors to acquire the interest of a deceased joint tenant. (Top  * A-G *  H-N )