Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) A mortgage in which interest and payment rates vary periodically, based on a specific index, such as 30-year Treasury bills or the Cost-of-Funds index.

Adjustments Money credited to either/both buyer and seller at closing, including real estate taxes, price adjustments based on disclosures in the inspection, etc.

Agent A licensed person who represents the seller (and/or buyer) and who provides market assessment, sales or buying strategy, recommends various services and sources important to the seller or buyer.

Amortization A method by which monthly mortgage payments are equalized over the life of the loan despite the fact that the proportion of principal to interest changes.

Appraisal Professional and unbiased written opinion of property's value based on recent, comparable sales, quality of construction, current condition and style of architecture.

Assessor A municipal or county official who determines the value of properties for the purpose of taxation.

Assumption of Mortgage The buyer assumes liability for an an existing mortgage held by the seller, subject to approval by the lender.

Balloon Mortgage A short-term mortgage, generally at a fixed rate of interest, to be paid back in pre-determined, equal monthly payments, with a large, final payment for the balance of the loan paid at the end of the term.

Broker A person licensed to represent home buyers or sellers for a contracted fee. Most real estate offices are managed by a broker who employs licensed sales agents to sell the properties.

Cap A limit on the total amount an interest rate can be increased. (See ARM.)

Closing The final settlement at which time the title is transferred from seller to buyer, accounts are settled, new mortgages signed and all fees and expenses dispersed or satisfied.

Closing Costs All fees, taxes, charges, commissions and other costs paid by buyer and/or seller at the closing.

Collateral Personal property pledged as the security for a debt. The mortgage is usually the collateral for the property itself.

Commission A previously agreed upon percentage of the home's sale price paid to the listing and selling agent(s).

Conventional Mortgage Most popular home financing form not insured by FHA or guaranteed by VA. Available from many lenders at varying rates, terms and conditions.

Credit Report A report outlining the credit history of an individual which includes current and previous debts, payment amounts, late payments and past due amounts and other related information on every credit source the individual has used.

Deed A legal “instrument” that conveys the title to a property from seller buyer.

Disclosure Statement concerning the condition of the property for sale and the surrounding area.

Down Payment The buyer's payment to the seller at the time the sales contract has been mutually agreed to, or at closing, for the percentage of the total purchase price required by the buyer's mortgage loan.

Earnest Money Money paid by the buyer at the time an official offer to purchase is submitted to the seller, intended to demonstrate the good faith of the buyer to complete the purchase. Earnest money applied against the purchase price; however, it may be forfeited if the buyer fails to complete the purchase under the terms of the sales contract.

Equity The difference between the sale price of a property and the mortgage on the property.

Escrow Account A third party account used to retain funds including the property owner's real estate taxes, buyer's earnest money or hazard insurance premiums.

FHA Insured Mortgage The Federal Housing Administration makes available through banks and other lenders, insured mortgages with low down payment requirements.

Fixed-Rate Mortgage A mortgage that has a set interest rate and is basically unaffected by interest rate changes.

Free and Clear Title Title to a property which is free from any mortgage, lien, or other encumbrance.

Graduated Payment Mortgage This mortgage offers low initial monthly payments which increase at a pre-determined rate, then cap at a final level for the duration of the mortgage.

Hazard Insurance Often confused with “Homeowner's” insurance, it's designed to compensate for specific hazards including fire and wind. An “all-risk home owner's policy” provides more complete coverage.

Home Inspection A formal survey of a home's structure, mechanical systems and overall condition, generally performed by a licensed professional inspector.

Homeowner's Policy A hazard insurance policy covering at the very least the appraised value of a house and property.

Interest The pre-determined charge or fee paid to a lender by the borrower for the use of monies loaned.

Lease-Purchase Agreement An agreement between owner and tenant specifying a portion of monthly rent, during a specified period, to be credited toward purchase of property.

Market Price The actual price at which a property is sold.

Market Value The price that is established by existing economic conditions, property location and market style and size preferences.

Mortgage A legal claim received by the lender on a property as security for the loan made to a buyer to facilitate the purchase.

Mortgage Interest The amount the borrower pays the lender to compensate the lender for the use of money to purchase the borrower's home. This is tax deductible interest.

Negative Amortization Most likely to occur with ARMs when monthly payments are not sufficient to cover interest cost. Additional interest is added to principal balance and the borrower may end up owing more than at the initiation of the loan.

Origination Fee Similar to a point, this fee is a supplemental fee paid by buyers to lenders.

Payment Cap A limit on the amount monthly payments on an adjustable rate mortgage can increase or decrease at each adjustment period.

Point A single percent of the loan principal, often charged by the lender in addition to various fees and interest.

Prepayment Penalty A fee included in the mortgage agreement requiring borrower to pay in the event the loan is paid before the due date.

Prequalification An informal estimate of the “financing potential” of a prospective borrower.

Principal The amount of money borrowed against which interest and possibly fees will be charged. (A second meaning: one of the parties to a contract.)

Prorate Proportionate division of expense based on days or time occupied or used by the seller and/or buyer.

Qualify Ability of a borrower to satisfy a lender's mortgage approval requirements.

Refinancing The process of applying for a new mortgage to gain better terms or use of equity.

RESPA Statement The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act requires a precise listing of all closing costs for both sellers and buyers.

Settlement This term relates to all legal and financial transactions required to finalize the contract between buyer and seller, at the conclusion of which closing takes place.

Title A legal document that defines the property, right of ownership and possession.

Title Insurance An insurance policy that protects the buyer against errors, omissions or any defects in the title.

VA Mortgage The Department of Veterans Affairs has made guaranteed mortgages available through banks and other lending institutions to active military personnel, veterans, or spouses of veterans who died of service-related injuries.

Walk-Through Inspection The final inspection by the buyer, usually in the company of the buyer's real estate sales agent, to ensure that all conditions noted in the offer-to-purchase, and all seller-related contingencies have been met. This inspection is most often completed immediately prior to the official act of closing, after the seller has vacated the premises.

Warranty Protection provided to the purchaser regarding the condition of appliances and pictures. Often, new homes have more extensive warranties also covering the overall structure.