COMMON QUESTIONS - What are closing costs?

Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)

A mortgage whose interest rate changes periodically based on the changes in a specified index.

 

Amortization

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

 

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).

 

Appreciation

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

 

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).

 

Balloon Payment

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

 

Breach

A violation of any legal obligation.

 

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.”

 

Broker

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

 

Capital Improvement

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

 

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.

 

Certificate Of Eligibility

A document issued by the federal government certifying a veteran’s eligibility for a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mortgage.

 

Clear Title

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

 

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.”

 

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.

 

Closing Statement

Also referred to as the CD (Closing Disclosure). The final statement of costs incurred to close on a loan or to purchase a home.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Collection

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

 

Co-Maker

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.

 

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.

 

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.”

 

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.

 

Collection

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

 

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.

 

Conforming Loan

The current conforming loan limit is $726,199 and below. Conforming loan limits change annually.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Conventional Mortgage

A mortgage that is not insured or guaranteed by the federal government.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Covenant

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

 

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.

 

Deed

The legal document conveying title to a property.

 

Deed Of Trust

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

 

Default

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

 

Delinquency

Failure to make mortgage payments when mortgage payments are due.

 

Depreciation

A decline in the value of property; the opposite of appreciation.

 

Earnest Money Deposit

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

 

Easement

A right of way giving persons other than the owner access to or over a property.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Escrow Account

The account in which a mortgage servicer holds the borrower’s escrow payments prior to paying property expenses.

 

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.

 

Estate

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

 

Eviction

The lawful expulsion of an occupant from real property.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Fannie Mae

A congressionally chartered, shareholder-owned company that is the nation’s largest supplier of home mortgage funds.

 

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 sessions.

 

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.

 

FHA Mortgage

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

 

First Mortgage

A mortgage that is the primary lien against a property.

 

Fixed-Rate Mortgage (FRM)

A mortgage in which the interest rate does not change during the entire term of the loan.

 

Flood Insurance

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

 

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.

 

Hazard Insurance

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

 

Home Equity Line Of Credit

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.

 

Home Equity Loan

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

 

HUD

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

 

Jumbo Mortgage

The current loan limit for a conforming loan is $726,199 (except Hawaii and Alaska and a few federally designated high-cost markets, where the limit is $1,089,300).  Loan amounts of $726,200 and above are considered non-conforming or jumbo mortgages and are usually subject to higher pricing.

 

Lien

An encumbrance against property for money due, either voluntary or involuntary.

 

Lender

The bank, mortgage company, or mortgage broker offering the loan.

 

 

Loan Estimate (LE)
A loan estimate is a three-page form that presents home loan information in an easy-to-read format, complete with explanations. This standardization not only makes the information easy to digest; it also makes it easy to compare offers among lenders to see which one is offering you the best deal.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.)

 

Mortgage

A legal document that pledges a property to the lender as security for payment of a debt.

 

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.

 

Mortgagor

The mortgage borrower who gives the mortgage as a pledge to repay.

 

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 $726,200 and above.

 

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.

 

Owner Financing

A property purchase transaction in which the property seller provides all or part of the financing.

 

Points

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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%.

 

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.

 

Refinancing

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

 

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.

 

Simple Interest

An amount earned on an account holder’s principal, according to a specified rate. This does not include any compounding interest.

 

Stated/Documented Income

Some loan products require only that applicants “state” the source of their income without providing supporting documentation such as tax returns.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Title Insurance

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

 

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.

 

Total Debt Ratio

Monthly debt and housing payments divided by gross monthly income. Also known as Obligations-to-Income Ratio or Back-End Ratio.

 

Variable Rate

An interest rate that may change once an account opens.