Chapter 12

GLOSSARY OF MORTGAGE TERMS

-A-

Accrued Interest: Interest earned for the period of time elapsed since interest was last paid.

Acquisition Cost: In a HUD/FHA transaction, the price the borrower paid for the property plus any of the following costs: closing, repairs, or financing (except discounts in other than a refinance transaction). Does not include prepaid discounts in a purchase transaction, mortgage insurance premiums, or similar add-ons.

Aggregate Analysis: An accounting method a servicer uses in conducting an escrow account analysis by computing the sufficiency of escrow account funds by analyzing the account as a whole.

ALTA : American Land Title Association. A national association of title insurance companies, abstractors, and attorneys specializing in real property laws. The association speaks for the title insurance and abstracting industry and establishes standard procedures and title policy forms.

Amortization: Repayment of a mortgage debt with periodic payments of both principal and interest, calculated to retire the obligation at the end of a fixed period of time.

Applicant: A prospective borrower who has completed an application.

Application: An application is series of steps, usually including the completion of documents, a lender requires of those seeking a loan.

Appraisal: An opinion or estimate of value. Also refers to the process by which a value estimate is obtained.

Appraised Value: An opinion of value reached by an appraiser based upon knowledge of a market area and analysis of market sales data.

Appraiser: One qualified by education, training, and experience to estimate the value of real and personal property.

APR: Annual Percentage Rate. A term defined in section 106 of the federal Truth in Lending Act (PL 90-321; 15 USC 1606), which expresses on an annualized basis the charges imposed on the borrower to obtain a loan (defined in the Act as "finance charges"), including interest, discount and other costs.

Arm's Length Transaction A transaction in which the parties involved are entirely independent of each other, deal with each other as strangers, and have no reason for collusion.

ARM Loan: An adjustable rate mortgage loan, the note rate of which is subject to periodic adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Note.

Arrears: The situation in which mortgage interest and real estate taxes are paid at or after the end of the period for which they are levied. Late payment is also described as being in arrears.

 

-B-

Balance Sheet: A report of the financial position of a business at a specific point in time, showing its assets, liabilities, and owner's equity.

Balloon Mortgage: A mortgage with periodic installments of principal and interest that do not fully amortize the loan. The balance of the mortgage is due in a lump sum at a specified date, usually the unamortized final payment.

Bankruptcy: Court proceedings to relieve the debts of an individual or business unable to pay its creditors.

Basis Point: One one-hundredth of one percent. Used primarily to describe changes in yield or price on debt instruments, including mortgages and mortgage-backed securities.

Binder: Temporary hazard or title insurance granted prior to the issuance of a permanent policy. In real estate, a preliminary agreement between a buyer and seller which includes the price and terms of the contract.

Bond Loan: A state-sponsored method of assisting low income borrowers and first time homeowners in the purchase of a home at a reduced interest rate.

Broker: An individual employed on a fee or commission basis to bring buyers and sellers together and assist in negotiating contracts between them. A mortgage broker does not retain servicing typically.

Business Day: Days on which a bank or market is open for business or trading; usually excludes Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays.

-C-

Cap: Payment: Consumer safeguards on an adjustable-rate mortgage which limit the amount monthly payments may change. Interest: Consumer safeguards on an adjustable-rate mortgage which limit the amount the interest rate may change per year and over the life of the loan.

Cash Out Refinance: When the principal amount of a new mortgage involved in refinancing is greater than the principal amount outstanding of the existing mortgage being refinanced, and all or a portion of the equity is converted to cash.

CBA: Controlled Business Arrangement. Business relationship in which a provider of settlement services receives a referral from an affiliated company in another settlement service business. Real estate brokerage and mortgage lenders that are commonly owned, controlled or franchised and refer settlement service business to each other are typical examples of such CBA's.

CHUMS: Computerized Home Underwriting Management System. HUD's automated system that tracks the application for mortgage insurance from the initial appraiser request through to loan closing and MIC issuance.

CLAS: CHUMS Lender Access System

Closed-End Mortgage: A mortgage under which the mortgagor is prohibited from borrowing additional funds under the same mortgage.

Closing: In real estate, the delivery of a deed, financial adjustments, the signing of note and the disbursement of funds necessary to consummate a sale or loan transaction.

Closing Costs: Fees paid to affect the closing of a mortgage, such as an origination fee, discount points, title insurance fees, survey fees, and attorney's fees.

Co-Borrower: Second or additional person equally responsible for payments on a mortgage.

Co-op (Cooperative): In real estate, a form of multiple ownership in which a corporation or business trust entity holds title to a property, (usually an apartment complex) and grants occupancy rights to shareholder tenants through proprietary leases.

Collateral: Property pledged as security for a debt, for example, mortgaged real estate.

Commitment: An agreement, generally in writing, between a lender and a borrower, to loan money at a future date, subject to specified conditions. In secondary marketing, an agreement, in writing, between a lender and an investor to buy and sell mortgages under specific terms.

Commitment Fee: Any fee paid by a potential borrower to a potential lender for the lender's promise to loan money at a specified date in the future. The lender may or may not expect to fund the commitment. In secondary marketing, a fee paid by the loan seller to the investor in return for the investor's promise to purchase a loan or package of loans at a future date.

Community Property: In some 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.

Comparables: Properties used for comparative purposes in the appraisal process that have similar characteristics to the subject property. Also called comps.

Conditional Commitment: An agreement to lend money to a borrower that has yet to be identified, but is still subject to the approval of the lender. During HUD/FHA mortgage insurance processing, it indicates the satisfactory completion of technical processing involving the estimated cost of the project, the "as-is" value of the site, a detailed estimate of operating expenses and taxes, supportable costs, the financial and credit capacity of sponsors, financial requirements, and mortgage amounts.

Condominium: A form of property ownership whereby the purchaser receives title to a unit in a multiunit structure and a proportionate interest in common areas.

Contractor: A person or company who agrees to do work and/or furnish materials for a contracted price. Subcontractors are often hired by the contractor to perform specialized or technical labor.

Conventional Financing: Mortgage financing which is not insured or guaranteed by a government agency such as HUD/FHA, VA or the Farmers Home Administration.

Counteroffer: An offer made in response to an offer.

Convertible Mortgage: A type of adjustable rate mortgage that may be converted to a fixed-rate mortgage at specified intervals during a pre-determined time period.

Credit Report: A report to a prospective lender on the credit standing of a prospective borrower, used to aid in the determination of creditworthiness.

Credit Score: A score that by statistical means assess' how likely a borrower is to repay a loan. The credit score is based on the data available in the borrower's credit report and measures the relative degree of risk a potential borrower represents to the lender or investor. The score may be from FICO, Beacon, or Empirica, depending on the credit bureau that provides the score.

CRV: Certificate of Reasonable Value. A document issued by the Veteran's Administration which establishes a maximum value and loan amount for a VA guaranteed mortgage.

 

-D-

DPAP: Down payment Assistance Program. Monetary assistance with down payment and/or closing costs provided by a local or federal agency to a low or moderate income borrower.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio: The proportion of capital borrowed to the amount of capital invested out-of-pocket or obtained through the sale of common stock; also called leverage ratio.

Deed of Trust: A type of security instrument in which the borrower conveys title to real property to a third party (trustee) to be held in trust as security for the lender, with the provision that the trustee shall reconvey the title upon the payment of the debt, and conversely, will sell the land and pay the debt in the event of a default by the borrower.

Default: Failure of a borrower to comply with the terms and conditions of either the loan agreement or the mortgage.

Delinquency: Failure of a borrower to make timely payments under a loan agreement.

Delivery: In mortgage banking the physical transfer of loan documents to an investor or agent in conformance with the commitment.

Direct Endorsement: A HUD program that enables an eligible single-family lender to conduct the processing, underwriting and closing of FHA single-family loan applications without HUDs prior review.

Discount: In loan originations, a discount refers to an amount withheld from loan proceeds by a lender. In secondary market sales, a discount is the amount by which the sale price or a note is less than its face value. In both instances, the purpose of a discount is to adjust the yield upward, either in lieu of interest or in addition to interest. The rate or amount of discount depends on money market conditions, the credit of the borrower, and the rate or terms of the note.

Down Payment: A portion of the sales price paid to a seller by a buyer to close a sales transaction with the understanding that the balance will be paid at settlement. Also, the difference between the sale price of real estate and the mortgage amount.

Draw: Periodic advances of funds according to the schedule of payments in a construction loan agreement. Also called advance, disbursement, payout, progress payment, or takedown.

 

E-

Earnest Money: A deposit made to bind the conditions of sale of real estate.

Easement: A right to the limited use or enjoyment of land held by another. Also, an interest in land to enable sewer or other utility lines to be laid, or to allow access to a property.

ECOA: Equal Credit Opportunity Act. 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. Also called Regulation B.

Encroachment: An improvement that illegally violates another's property or right to use that property.

Engineer's Report: A report rendered by an engineer stating the physical condition of property that has been inspected, with a summation or recommendation thereof.

Equity: Net ownership, the difference between fair market value and current indebtedness, sometimes called owner's interest.

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.

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 or real estate. In some parts of the country escrows of taxes and insurance premiums are called impounds or reserves.

Extenuating Circumstances: Extenuating circumstances are nonrecurring events that are beyond the applicant’s control that result in a sudden, significant, and prolonged reduction in income or a catastrophic increase in financial obligations. Extenuating circumstances cannot be solely defined by the event itself; all circumstances must be taken into consideration.

 

-F-

Fee Simple: The greatest possible interest a person can have in real estate, including the right to dispose of the property or pass it on to one's heirs.

FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency. Federal agency which directs the activities of the federal insurance administration and establishes flood insurances rates and terms of coverage, issues policies, processes claims, and identifies and maps flood-prone areas.

FHA: Federal Housing Administration. A federal agency within the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides mortgage insurance for residential mortgages and sets standards for construction and underwriting. The FHA does not lend money, nor does it plan or construct housing.

FHLMC: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Created by Congress in Title III of the Emergency Home Finance Act of 1970 (912 USC 1451 et seq.). This stockholder owned corporation, a portion of whose board of directors is appointed by the President of the United States, supports the secondary market in mortgages on residential property with mortgage purchase and securitization programs. Also called Freddie Mac.

Finance Charge: A term defined in section 105 of the federal Truth in Lending Act (PL 90-321; 15 USC 1605), which generally includes all charges payable as an incident to the extension of a loan.

Financial Mismanagement: Financial mismanagement may be the result of the use of too much credit or the inability to manage credit. Typically, the borrower(s) previously continued to increase credit usage to the point that they were no longer willing or able to support the debt service. Any reason that does not meet the definition of extenuating circumstances will be considered financial mismanagement.

Firm Commitment: (1) For multifamily housing, the HUD/FHA agreement to insure construction advances for multifamily housing projects, subject to compliance with the terms of the commitment. HUD/FHA issues a firm commitment for mortgage insurance after accepting complete, final development drawings, including complete specifications and firm costs. (2)The HUD/FHA agreement to insure a loan taken out by a borrower on a specific previously approved single family property under specific terms. (3)For loans, a lender's agreement to make a loan to a specific borrower under specific terms and conditions within a given time. (4)In the secondary mortgage market, a buyer's agreement to purchase mortgage securities under specified terms.

FIRREA: Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act. The law enacted to restructure the thrift industry. The Act created regulatory entities to oversee thrifts and established risk-based capital guidelines for Qualified Thrift Lenders (QTLs). The Act created the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), the Federal Housing Finance Board (FHFB), and the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC); the Act dissolved the Federal Home Loan Bank Board (FHLBB) and the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC).

Fixed Rate Mortgage: A mortgage in which the interest rate and payments remain the same for the life of the loan.

Flood Insurance: An insurance policy insuring against flood damage to the mortgaged premises, as required for mortgaged property located in special flood hazard areas identified by the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FmHA: Farmers Home Administration. A government agency within the Department of Agriculture that operates under the consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1921 and Title V of the Housing Act of 1949. This agency provides financing to farmers and other qualified borrowers who are unable to obtain loans elsewhere.

FNMA: Federal National Mortgage Association. The nation's largest mortgage investor. Created in 1968 by an amendment to Title III of the National Housing Act (125 USC 1716 et seq.), this stockholder-owned corporation, a portion of whose board of directors is appointed by the President of the United States, supports the secondary market in mortgages on residential property with mortgage purchase and securitization programs. Also called Fannie Mae.

Foreclosure: A legal procedure in which a mortgaged property is sold to pay the outstanding debt in case of default.

Fraud: An act intended to deceive for the purpose of inducing another to give up something of value.

 

-G-

GFE: Good Faith Estimate. A document which tells borrowers the approximate costs they will pay at or before settlement, based on common practice in the locality. Under requirements of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), the mortgage banker or mortgage broker, if any, must deliver or mail the GFE to the applicant within three business days after the application is received.

GNMA: Government National Mortgage Association. Created in 1968 by an amendment to Title III of the National Housing Act (12 USC 1716 et seq.), this federal government corporation is part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Among other governmental functions, it guarantees securities backed by mortgages that are insured or guaranteed by other government agencies. Also called Ginnie Mae.

 

-H-

Hazard Insurance: Insurance coverage which provides compensation to the insured in case of property loss or damage.

HMDA: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act. Federal legislation which requires certain types of lenders to compile and disclose data on where their mortgage and home improvement loans are being made.

Homeowner's Association: A non-profit corporation or association that manages the common areas and services of a planned unit development or condominium project. In a condominium project, it has no ownership interest in the common areas; in a planned unit development, it holds title to common areas.

Homestead Exemption: A statutory exemption which prohibits the attachment or sale of owner-occupied properties to pay the claims of creditors.

HUD: Department of Housing and Urban Development. A governmental entity responsible for the implementation and administration of housing and urban development programs. HUD was established by the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 to supersede the Housing and Home Finance Agency.

HUD-1: HUD-1 Uniform Settlement Statement. Standard form used to disclose costs at closing. All charges imposed in the transaction, including mortgage broker fees, must be disclosed separately.

 

-I-

In-file credit report: Unverified credit report which may contain unchecked, duplicated or overlapping data, Used for "quick look" at a prospective borrower's credit history.

Income Limits: Income restrictions established for low- to moderate-income persons to qualify for admission into subsidized housing programs. The limits are established by law and are based on family size and geographic location.

Index: A published interest rate, such as the prime rate, LIBOR, T-Bill rate, or the 11th District COFI. Lenders use indexes to establish interest rates charged on mortgages or to compare investment returns. On ARMs, a predetermined margin is added to the index to compute the interest rate adjustment.

Ingress and Egress: The right to enter and exit land.

Insured Closing Letter: A document issued by a title insurance company which protects a mortgagee against embezzlement or failure to follow specific closing instructions.

Interest Rate Change Date: With respect to an ARM loan, the date on which the Note Rate may change in accordance with the terms of the Note.

Interim Financing: Financing used from the beginning of a project to the closing of a permanent loan. Usually a construction or development loan.

Installment: The periodic payment that a borrower agrees to pay a mortgage lender.

Inter Vivos Trust: A trust that takes effect during the life of its creator.

Interest: Consideration in the form of money paid for the use of money, usually expressed as an annual percentage. Also, a right, share, or title in property.

-J-

Judgment: Final determination by a court of the rights and claims of the parties to an action.

Jumbo Loan: A loan that exceeds the statutory loan limit eligible for purchase or securitization by federal agencies.

Junior Mortgage: A mortgage that is subordinate to the claims of a prior lien or mortgage.

-K-

Kickback: A payment to a third party in return for the referral of a client, customer or business. Kickbacks are a violation of RESPA.

-L-

LAPP: Lender Appraisal Processing Program. Program eliminates the VA's involvement in loan processing and allows the lender to oversee the appraisal and property underwriting process. Lender must be preapproved by the VA to participate in this program.

Late Charge: An additional charge that a borrower is required to pay as a penalty for failure to pay a regular installment when due.

Layered Risk: Occurs then multiple high-risk factors are present in a single loan file, i.e., a credit score below 620, doubling of the borrower's housing expense, etc.

Leasehold: An estate or interest in real property held by virtue of a lease.

LGC: Loan Guaranty Certificate. A VA document that states the portion of a loan that is guaranteed.

Lien: A legal hold or claim of a creditor on the property of another as security for a debt. Liens are always against property, usually real property.

LIBOR: London Interbank Offered Rate. The rate at which banks in the foreign market lend dollars to one another. A common interest rate index; one of the most valid barometers of the international cost of money.

Litigation: A contest in a court for the purposes of enforcing a right also referred to as a judicial contest, a legal action, a suit, a law or civil action.

Lock-in Period: The number of days during which a lender guarantees a borrower a specific interest rate and terms on a mortgage.

Loss Draft: Insurance payments in settlement of a claim for damage to mortgaged property, Drafts are generally made out to both the mortgagee and mortgagor.

Loss Payable Clause: An insurance policy provision for payment of a claim to someone other than the insured, who holds an insurable interest in the insured property.

LSSR: Loan Sold Servicing Released

LTV Ratio: The ratio of amount borrowed to appraised value or sales price of real property expressed as a percentage.

 

 

-M-

Margin: (1) In futures trading, an amount set by each exchange that buyers and sellers must deposit as a guarantee of performance. (2) In stock transactions, the down payment required when borrowing from a broker to finance stock purchases. In this case, margin requirements are set by the Federal Reserve Board and are expressed as a percentage of the purchase price or market value. (3) In an adjustable rate mortgage, the spread between the index and the mortgage interest rate.

MCC: Mortgage Credit Certificate. An IRS tax credit that reduces the federal tax liability of qualified borrowers, thus having the effect of subsidizing the monthly mortgage payment.

MIC: Mortgage Insurance Certificate. Certificate issued by HUD/FHA as evidence that a mortgage has been insured, and that a contract of mortgage insurance exists between HUD/FHA and the lender incorporating the HUD/FHA regulations identified in the certificate.

Modification Agreement: An agreement that acts to change the terms of the note, i.e., from an Adjustable Rate Note to a Fixed Rate Note.

Mortgage Insurance (MI): Insurance which protects mortgage lenders against loss in the event of default by the borrower. This allows lenders to make loans with lower down payments. The federal government offers MI through HUD/FHA; private mortgage insurers offer MI for conventional loans.

Mortgage: A pledge of property, especially real property, as security for a debt. By extension, the document evidencing the pledge. In many states this document is a deed of trust. The document may contain the terms of repayment of the debt. By further extension, "mortgage" is used to describe both the mortgage property and the separate promissory note evidencing the debt and providing the terms of the debt's repayment.

-N-

Negative Amortization: The unpaid interest which is added to the mortgage principal in a loan where the principal balance increases rather than decreases because the mortgage payments do not cover the full amount of interest due.<

Non-Conforming Mortgage: A mortgage loan in which the loan amount, the loan-to-value ratio, the term, or some other aspect of the loan exceeds permissible limits as specified in agency regulations.

Note: A general term for any kind of paper or document signed by a borrower that is an acknowledgment of the debt, and is by inference, a promise to pay. When the note is secured by a mortgage, it is called a mortgage note and the mortgagee is named as the payee.

-O-

Open-End Mortgage: A mortgage with a provision that the outstanding loan amount may be increased upon mutual agreement of the lender and the borrower.

Origination Fee: The lender's fee charged a borrower to prepare documents, make credit checks, inspect and sometimes appraise a property. Usually stated as a percentage of the face value of the loan.

Origination: Securing a completed mortgage application from a commercial or residential borrower.

 

-P-

Pair-off: A buy-back to offset, and effectively liquidate, a prior sale of securities or mortgages.

Par Rate: The interest rate associated with zero discount.

Payment Change Date: With respect to an ARM loan, the date on which the borrower's monthly payment changes in accordance with the terms of the Note.

Payment Shock: A scenario in which monthly mortgage payments on an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) rise so high that the borrower may not be able to afford the payments. Consumer protection guidelines regarding extremely low initial "teaser" rates, lifetime ceilings, and annual caps are designed to prevent payment shock. In underwriting, payment shock also refers to a housing expense increase so large that it may affect the borrower's ability to repay.

Pipeline: Loan applications in process that have not yet closed.

PITI: Acronym for the items included in a monthly mortgage payment: principal, interest, taxes, and insurance.

Pool: A collection of mortgage loans grouped by one or more similar characteristics.

Pool Insurance: A certificate issued to a lender by an insurance company which evidences such company's commitment to insure the mortgage loan(s) identified on such certificate against default.

Power of Attorney: A legal document authorizing one person to act on behalf of another.

Premium: A security trading at a price in excess of par or 100 percent. In insurance, a payment for coverage.

Premium Pricing: The price associated with an above par interest rate. This above par price can be used to pay borrower closing costs, buydown fees, etc.

Prepaid Interest: Mortgage interest that is paid in advance of when it is due.

Prepayment Penalty: A charge the mortgagor pays the mortgagee for the privilege to prepay the loan.

Principal: The original balance of money lent, excluding interest. Also, the remaining balance of a loan, excluding interest.

PUD: Planned Unit Development. A comprehensive development plan for a large land area. A PUD usually includes residences, roads, schools, recreational facilities, commercial, office and industrial areas. Also, a subdivision having lots in areas owned in common and reserved for the use of some or all of the owners of the separately owned lots.

Purchase Money Mortgage: A mortgage a purchaser of real property gives a seller as all or part of the consideration in the sales transaction.

 

 

 

-Q-

 

Quit Claim Deed: A deed relinquishing all interest, title, or claim an owner has in a property. A quitclaim deed implies no warranty.

 

-R-

Real Estate Owned (REO): Property acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure.

Red Lining: Arbitrary denial of real estate loan applications in certain geographical areas, without considering individual applicant qualifications.

Refinancing: The repayment of a debt from the proceeds of a new loan using the same property as security.

Regulation B: Federal Reserve regulation prohibiting discrimination against consumer credit applicants, and establishing guidelines for collecting and evaluating credit information.

Regulation Z: Regulation written by the Federal Reserve Board to implement the Truth-In-Lending Act, requiring full written disclosure of the credit portion of a purchase, including the annual percentage rate.

Rehabilitation: Restoration of a property or neighborhood to bring it back to its full potential for use.

Replacement Cost: The cost to replace a structure with one of equivalent value and function, but no necessarily identical in design or materials.

Rescission: The cancellation of a transaction or contact by law or by mutual consent.

Rescission Period: A three (3) day cancellation period beginning on the day the loan is closed and ending at midnight three business days later. These days exclude Sunday and federal holidays.

RESPA: Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. A federal statute and regulation promulgated by HUD governing real estate lending practices and disclosures. Its main features pertain to the provision of a good faith estimate of loan settlement costs and the provision of the HUD settlement booklet within three days of making a loan application.

Revolving Debt: An arrangement for credit in which the customer receives purchases or services on an ongoing basis prior to payment. Repayment is usually at regular intervals but not for a specified amount or term. For example, charge cards.

Right of First Refusal: A right given by an owner to another party stating that if the owner decides to sell the property, the other party has the first opportunity to purchase the subject property before it is offered to others.

Rural Property: A property which is either in an area zoned for agricultural uses, listed as rural on the appraisal or located in an area that is less than 25% developed, as noted on the appraisal.

-S-

Seasoned Mortgage: A mortgage on which payments have been made regularly for a year or longer.

Secondary Financing: A funding method using a loan secured by a second mortgage on a property. Sometimes used to refer to any financing technique other than equity and first mortgage debt.

Security Instrument: Mortgage or deed of trust evidencing the pledge of real estate as collateral for the loan.

Servicing: A mortgage banking function which includes the receipt of payments, customer service, escrow administration, investor accounting, collections, and foreclosures.

Servicing Release Premium: Any compensation paid to a lender for the release of rights to service the loan.

SMSA: Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area. A central city area and its surrounding suburbs and small jurisdictions.

Survey: A measurement of land, prepared by a registered land surveyor, showing the location of the land with reference to known points, its dimensions, and the location and dimensions of any improvements or easements.

Straw buyer: One who purchases property for another to conceal the identity of the real purchaser.

Sweat Equity: Equity created in a property by the performance of work or labor by the purchaser or borrower.

Syndication: The sale of equity interest in real estate projects to investors other than the original developer.

-T-

Table Funding: Mortgage transaction where the broker or third-party originator (TPO) closes the mortgage in its own name for simultaneous assignment to an investor who advanced money for the funding.

Temporary Buydown: A financing technique in which the builder or seller advances money to subsidize the monthly payment during the first few years of a loan. The monthly payments will normally increase annually until the subsidy expires.

TILA: Truth-in-Lending Act. The Truth-in-Lending Act (PL 90-321; 15 USC 1601 et seq.). Part of the Consumer Credit Protection Act, a federal law that requires lenders to provide full written disclosure of credit terms and conditions, the finance charge, the annual percentage rate, and other charges incurred in a loan contract.

Title Exception: An exclusion appearing in a title insurance policy against which the insurance company does not insure.

Title Insurance Policy: A contract by which the insurer agrees to pay the insured a specific amount for any loss caused by defects of title to real estate, wherein the insured has an interest as purchaser, mortgagee, or otherwise.

TPO: Third Party Originator. Entity or individual that completely or partially takes the mortgage loan application from a borrower. A TPO may process, underwrite, or fund the mortgage before transferring, assigning, or selling it to another mortgage lender.

-U-

Underwriting: In mortgage banking, the analysis of the risk involved in making a mortgage loan to determine whether the risk is acceptable to the lender. Underwriting involves the evaluation of the property as outlined in the appraisal report, and of the borrower's ability and willingness to repay the loan.

URAR: Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (FNMA 1004/FHLMC 65). Standard form used by appraisers to detail facts supporting the value of single-family properties.

URLA: Uniform Residential Loan Application (FNMA 1003/FHLMC 70). Standard form where mortgage applicants provide the lender with information essential to loan approval.

-V-

VA: Department of Veteran Affairs. A cabinet-level agency of the federal government. The Servicemen’s' Readjustment Act of 1944 authorized the agency to administer a variety of benefit programs designed to facilitate the adjustment of returning veterans to civilian life. Among the benefit programs is the VA Home Loan Guaranty program, which encourages mortgage lenders to offer long-term, low down payment financing to eligible veterans by partially guaranteeing the lender against loss upon foreclosure.

VOD: Verification of Deposit. A form that requests and secures verifications of amounts on deposit at financial institutions. When a depository institution is also the applicant's creditor, the VOD verifies the obligation.

VOE: Verification of Employment. A form that requests and secures documentation of a mortgage applicant's work history and/or occupation, to assist in the lender's credit investigation.

VOM: Verification of Mortgage. Form that requests and secures verification of payments made on an applicant's current or past mortgage.

-W-

Warehouse Loan: Loans that are funded and awaiting sale or delivery to an investor.

Wholesale Origination: A loan origination strategy by which loans are purchased from mortgage brokers, mortgage bankers, or other loan originators (banks, thrifts, etc. ) The loans may be purchased prior to closing, at closing or after the loans are closed depending on the arrangement between the originator and the wholesale lender. Wholesale origination enables a lender to acquire mortgage servicing rights without incurring the fixed cost associated with a retail origination strategy.

-Y-

Yield Spread Premium: The dollar amount paid (generally to a broker) for a loan at an interest rate higher than the market or "par" rate.

-Z-

Zoning: The creation of districts by local governments in which specific types of property uses are authorized. 

“Do Better Business…. The Carroll Way!”  

The information provided in this manual reflects current mortgage information which may be subject to change 
without
  notice/or which may have already been eliminated. Your transaction may involve updates periodically.  
Consult with your mortgage loan officer for updated information.

August 29, 2008