Glossary Of Terms...
A B C D E F G H J L M N O P R S T U V W Z
- A
Accrued
Interest -
Interest which has been incurred but not paid.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) - A
mortgage in which the interest rate is adjusted periodically
based on a pre-selected index. Subject to certain limitations,
the rate and payments on an ARM loan rise and fall
with the market.
Adjustment Interval or Adjustment Period -
The length of time between rate adjustments
on an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM).
Agreement of Sale -
Contract signed by buyer and seller
stating the terms and conditions under
which a property will be sold.
Amortization -
The process of paying off a
mortgage in regular increments.
Amortization
Schedule -
A monthly repayment
schedule outlining
how a loan will be
paid off in fixed payments
combining principal
and interest.
Annual Percentage Rate
(APR) - A calculation
that expresses the total cost
of a mortgage loan as a yearly
rate (according to a federally
mandated procedure). The APR
calculation takes into account
monthly interest payments, mortgage
insurance, points, and certain
fees paid at origination.
Application -
An initial statement of personal
and financial information required
to approve a loan provided by
the borrower and necessary to
intitiate the approval process
for a loan.
Application Fee -
Fee charged by lender to cover
the initial costs of processing
a loan application.
Appraisal -
A written estimate of a property's
current market value, based on
recent sales information for
similar properties, the condition
of the property, and the neighborhood's
impact on future property value.
Appraisal Fee -
A fee charged by a licensed,
certified appraiser to provide
an appraisal.
APR - See Annual
Percentage Rate.
ARM - See Adjustable
Rate Mortgage.
Assessment -
A local tax levied against a
property for a specific purpose,
such as road or sidewalk construction
or sewer or street light installation.
Asset Documentation -
Documents that verify the existence
of the borrower’s assets.
Assumability -
A loan feature that allows the
loan to be transferred from the
seller to the purchaser of a
home with the same terms and
conditions, subject to lender
approval.
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B
Balloon
Mortgage - A short-term, fixed-rate loan with low
payments for a set number of years and a large balloon payment
of the remainder of the principal and interest due at the end
of the term.
Bankruptcy - Proclamation by a court
of an individual's (or organization's) state of insolvency,
or inability to pay debts.
Bearer - The legal owner of
a piece of property.
Bi-weekly Mortgage -
A payment plan under which the borrower
pays one half of a monthly payment
every two weeks.
Bona Fide -
In good faith.
Borrower (or
Mortgagor) -
An individual who applies
for and receives a
loan in the form of
a mortgage with the
intention of repaying
the loan in full.
Buy-Down -
A situation in which
the seller contributes
money, allowing the
lender to give the
buyer a lower rate
and payment, usually
in exchange for an
increase in sales price.
Buyer's Market -
Market conditions that
favor buyers. With
more sellers than buyers
in the market, buyers
have ample choice of
properties and may
be able to negotiate
lower prices.
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C
Caps -
Limits on changes in ARM interest rates or monthly payments,
either in an adjustment period or over the life of the loan.
Caps (Interest) - Consumer safeguards
which limit the amount the interest rate on an adjustable
rate mortgage can change in an adjustment interval and/or
over the life of the loan.
Caps (Payment) - Consumer safeguards
which limit the amount monthly payments on an
adjustable rate mortgage may change. Since they
do not limit the amount of interest the lender
is earning, payment caps may cause negative amortization.
Cash Out - A refinance
for more than the balance of the current
mortgage. The excess money taken out
reduces the borrower's equity.
Cashier's Check (or Bank
Check) - A check whose
payment is guaranteed because
it was paid for in advance and
is drawn on the bank's account
instead of the customer's.
CC&Rs -
See Covenants, Conditions
and Restrictions.
Ceiling (Life Cap) -
The maximum allowable interest
rate of an adjustable rate mortgage
over the life of the loan.
Chain of Title -
The chronological order of conveyance
of a property from the original
owner to the present owner.
Clear Title -
A marketable title, free of clouds
and disputes.
Closing (or Settlement) -
Meeting between the buyer, seller,
and lender or their agents, at
which property and funds legally
change hands.
Closing Agent -
Neutral third party appointed
to act as a custodian for documents
and funds during the transfer
of property from seller to buyer.
Depending on local law and custom,
this could be an attorney, escrow
agent, or title company.
Closing Costs -
Costs associated with the closing
of the loan (e.g. title costs,
loan fees, discount fees, inspection
fees, appraisals, etc.).
Closing/Settlement Statement -
A form prepared by the closing
agent that itemizes the closing
costs associated with purchasing
or refinancing a home. Also see
HUD-1.
Cloud on Title -
An outstanding claim or encumbrance
that, if valid, would affect
or impair the owner's title.
Combined Loan - To-Value
(CLTV) - The percentage
of the property value borrowed
through a combination of more
than one loan (for example, first
mortgage and home equity line
of credit). Mathematically, the
combined loan and line of credit
amounts divided by property value
equals Combined Loan-To-Value
Ratio.
COFI - See Cost
of Funds Index.
Collateral -
Assets that secure a loan. (In
the case of a mortgage, real
property serves as collateral.)
Commission -
Money paid to a real estate agent
or broker in a sales transaction.
Commitment -
A formal offer by a lender to
a borrower to make a loan under
certain terms or conditions.
Condominium -
A form of property ownership
in which the homeowner holds
title to an individual dwelling
unit and an interest in common
areas and facilities of a multi-unit
project.
Conforming Loan -
A mortgage loan eligible for
purchase by the two federally
sponsored housing agencies, Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac.
Contingency -
A condition which must be satisfied
before a contract is legally
binding--before a sale can close.
Contract Of Sale -
The agreement between the buyer
and seller on the purchase price,
terms, and conditions of a sale.
Conventional Loan -
A mortgage not insured by the
FHA or guaranteed by the VA.
Convertible ARMs -
ARMs with the option of conversion
to a fixed rate loan during a
given time period.
Conveyance -
The transfer of a deed, lease,
or mortgage.
Cost of Funds Index (COFI) -
A common index used in adjustable
rate loans based on the weighted-average
interest rate paid for deposits
by savings institutions that
are members of the 11th Federal
Home Loan Bank District.
Covenants, Conditions,
and Restrictions (CC&Rs) -
A document that defines the use,
requirements and restrictions
of a condominium or Planned Unit
Development (PUD).
Credit Report -
A report detailing the credit
history of a prospective borrower,
used by lenders to help determine
creditworthiness.
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D
Debt-To-Income
Ratio -
A figure, expressed as a ratio, that compares the amount of
recurring debt payments a borrower is obligated to make to
the amount of their income.
Deed - Legal document by which title
to a property is transferred from one owner to another.
The deed contains a description of the property and
is signed, witnessed, and delivered to the buyer at
closing.
Deed Of Trust - Document creating
a lien on a property as security for the payment
of a debt. In some states, a mortgage is used
instead.
Default - Failure
to meet legal obligations in a contract,
including failure to make payments
on a loan. A mortgage is generally
considered to be in default when a
payment is 30 days past due.
Delinquency -
Failure to make required payments
on time.
Deposit -
Cash paid to the seller
when a formal sales
contract is signed.
Depreciation -
Decline in property value.
Document Review -
A process by which the lender
reviews documents necessary to
fund a loan.
Down Payment -
In a home purchase, the difference
between the purchase price and
the mortgage amount.
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E
Earnest
Money -
Deposit made by a buyer toward the down payment as evidence
of good faith when the purchase agreement is signed.
ECOA - See Equal Credit Opportunity
Act.
Encumbrance - A legal right
or interest in a property that affects title
and may lessen the property value.
Equal Credit Opportunity Act
(ECOA) - Federal law requiring
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 - The
difference between the current
market value of a property
and the outstanding mortgage
balance.
Equity Loan -
A loan based on the
borrower's equity in
his or her home.
Escrow -
Neutral third party
appointed to act as
a custodian for documents
and funds during the
transfer of property
from seller to buyer
or in the course of
refinancing property.
Escrow Account -
Account held by lender containing
funds collected in conjunction
with monthly mortgage payments.
Also known as impounds, the funds
in this account are held in trust
by the lender on behalf of the
borrower, and are used to pay
expenses such as property taxes
and homeowner's insurance.
Escrow Officer -
See Closing Agent.
Estimated Settlement
(or Closing) Statement -
A document provided by the closing
agent, prior to loan closing,
estimating all costs and indicating
the final sum the buyer will
be required to bring to the closing.
Expense-To-Income Ratio -
Also known as Back-End Ratio
and Debt-to-Income Ratio. The
figure derived by dividing all
borrower's monthly financial
obligations by his/her gross
monthly income.
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F
Fannie
Mae (FNMA) -
Corporation created by Congress that buys and sells residential
mortgages. Fannie Mae provides funds for one in seven mortgages.
Farmer's Home Administration(FmHA) -
An agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that
provides financing for purchasers of homes and farms
in small towns and rural areas.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) -
Government agency, division of the Department
of Housing and Urban Development, which insures
residential mortgage loans made by private
lenders and sets standards for underwriting
mortgage loans.
Federal National Mortgage Association
(FNMA) - See Fannie Mae.
Federal Reserve -
Central bank of the United
States and major regulatory
agency for many commercial
banks.
Fee Simple -
Absolute ownership
of real property.
FHA - See Federal
Housing Administration.
FHA Loan - Mortgage
loan insured by the FHA for low
to middle income borrowers, open
to all qualified home purchasers.
FICO Score -
A credit evaluation score developed
by Fair, Isaac, and Co., used
by lenders as one factor in making
a loan decision. Some methods
of improving a score are to establish
and maintain a payment history
on credit accounts, keep public
records (bankruptcies, judgments,
etc.) and collection accounts
to a minimum, pay down loans,
keep credit cards well below
their limits, avoid late payments,
and limit applying for new credit.
First Mortgage -
The primary lien against a property.
Fixed Rate -
An interest rate that does not
change during the term of the
loan.
Fixed-Rate Mortgage -
A mortgage whose interest rate
does not change for the life
of the loan. Payments are also
fixed.
Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation (FHLMC) -
See Freddie Mac.
Flood Insurance -
A form of hazard insurance that
covers improved property damage
or loss due to flood.
Floor - The
minimum interest rate payable
on an Adjustable Rate Mortgage.
Freddie Mac (FHLMC) -
Quasi-governmental agency that
purchases conventional mortgages
from insured depository institutions
and HUD-approved mortgage bankers.
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G
Ginnie Mae -
See Government National Mortgage Association.
GNMA - See Government National Mortgage
Association.
Government National Mortgage Association
(GNMA, or Ginnie Mae) - Government agency
that provides funds for VA and FHA loans.
Good Faith Estimate -
Written estimate of costs the borrower
will pay at closing, provided by a lender
within three business days of loan application.
Grace Period -
Period of time during which a
loan payment may be made after
its due date without incurring
a late penalty.
Graduated Payment
Mortgage (GPM) -
Mortgage in which initial
low payments (with potential
negative amortization)
increase regularly for
several years and then
level off.
Gross Income -
Borrower’s total
income before taxes or
expenses are deducted.
Gross Monthly Income -
Total monthly income before taxes
or expenses are deducted. Used
in the loan origination process
to calculate borrower's ability
to make payments on a loan.
Guarantee or Guaranty -
A promise by one party to pay
a debt or perform an obligation
contracted by another in the
event of that person's default.
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H
Hazard
Insurance - A policy that protects the insured against
loss due to fire or certain natural disasters in exchange for
a premium paid to the insurer. Also known as Homeowner Insurance
or fire insurance.
Home Equity Line Of Credit - A revolving
line of credit secured by the equity in the home. Unlike
a Home Equity Loan, these funds may be drawn and repaid
like a credit card.
Home Equity Loan - An additional
mortgage secured by the equity in the home.
All funds for this loan are disbursed at closing.
(In contrast, see Home Equity Line Of Credit).
Homeowner's Warranty -
A type of insurance that covers repairs
to specified parts of a house for a
specific period of time.
Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) - A U.S. government
agency established to implement
federal housing and community
development programs; oversees
the Federal Housing Administration.
Housing Code -
Local government ordinance
that sets minimum standards
of safety and sanitation
for existing residential
buildings.
Housing Expense-To-Income
Ratio - The ratio, expressed
as a percentage, that results
when dividing a borrower's housing
expenses by his/her gross monthly
income.
HUD - See Housing
and Urban Development.
HUD-1 Settlement Statement -
A form mandated by the federal
government that itemizes the
closing costs associated with
purchasing a home. Also see Estimated
Settlement Statement.
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J
Joint
Liability - Liability shared among two or more people,
each of whom is liable for the full debt.
Joint Tenancy - The ownership of property
by two or more persons with the survivor receiving
the share of the deceased.
Jumbo Loan - A mortgage with
a principal balance that exceeds the amount
eligible for purchase by Fannie Mae and Freddie
Mac. Jumbo loans generally carry a higher interest
rate.
Junior Mortgage -
A mortgage subordinate or secondary
to another mortgage. In the case of
a foreclosure, a senior mortgage will
be paid first.
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L
Late
Charge - Penalty paid by a borrower when a payment
is made after the grace period provided by the lender.
Lender - The bank, mortgage company,
or mortgage broker offering the loan.
LIBOR, London Interbank Offered Rate -
The interest rate charged among banks for short-term
Eurodollar loans, and a common index for adjustable
rate mortgages.
Lien - A legal claim
against a property that must be paid
when the property is sold.
Lifetime Interest Rate
Cap - The highest
interest rate that can be charged
for an adjustable rate mortgage
during the life of the loan.
Loan Servicing -
The collection of mortgage
payments from borrowers
and related responsibilities
(such as handling escrows
for property tax and
insurance, foreclosing
on defaulted loans
and remitting payments
to investors).
Loan Application -
Document required by lenders
prior to loan approval containing
detailed information about the
borrower and property.
Loan Application Fee -
Fee paid by prospective buyer
to lender when applying for a
mortgage.
Loan Origination Fee
(or Processing Fee) -
Fee charged by a lender to originate
and process a loan.
Loan-To-Value (LTV) Ratio -
The percentage of the property
value borrowed (loan amount/property
value = loan to value ratio).
Lock (or Lock-in) -
A lender's guarantee of an interest
rate and related points for a
set period of time, usually between
loan application and loan closing.
Protects borrower against rate
increases during that time.
LTV - See Loan-To-Value
Ratio.
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M
Margin -
The percentage amount added to an index to calculate the new
interest rate of an adjustable rate mortgage at each adjustment.
Market Value - The value that a willing
seller would accept and a willing buyer would offer given
a reasonable time for the seller to market a property.
Monthly Housing Expense - Total
monthly expense of mortgage principal and interest,
taxes, and insurance.
Mortgage - Document
creating a lien on a property as security
for the payment of a debt. In some states,
a Deed of Trust is used instead.
Mortgage Banker -
A lender that originates and
funds, then sells and services
mortgage loans.
Mortgage Broker -
A person or entity that
arranges financing for
borrowers, but places
loans with lenders rather
than funding them with
the broker's own money.
Mortgage Insurance -
Insurance purchased by a borrower
to cover the lender's risk of
loss. Mortgage Insurance is generally
required by lenders when the
loan-to-value on a first mortgage
is greater than 80% of the value
of the property.
MIP, Mortgage Insurance
Premium - The monthly,
or yearly, payment for mortgage
insurance.
Mortgage Loan -
A loan for which real estate
serves as collateral to provide
for repayment in case of default.
Mortgage Note -
Legal document obligating a borrower
to repay a loan secured by a
mortgage.
Mortgagee -
The lender in a mortgage loan
transaction.
Mortgagor -
The borrower in a mortgage loan
transaction.
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N
Negative
Amortization - Increase in principal balance that
occurs when monthly payments are not large enough to pay all
interest accrued on a loan, usually caused when payment caps
prevent sufficient payment increases. Deferred interest is
added to the loan balance, resulting in the borrower owing
more than the original amount of the loan.
No Doc Loan - A loan for which neither
income, employment, nor assets are stated on application.
Borrowers must have a perfect credit history.
No Ratio Loan - This loan
program is offered for borrowers who have a
strong asset base and perfect credit history;
the loan application must be fully completed
except for any reference to income.
Note - Legal document
stating the terms of a debt and a promise
to repay it.
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O
Origination
Fee - See Loan Origination Fee.
Owner Financing - A purchase in which
the seller provides all or part of the financing.
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P
Payment
Cap - Limit on the amount by which a borrower's adjustable
rate mortgage payments may increase, regardless of rise in
interest rates. May result in negative amortization.
Per Diem Interest - Interest calculated
per day. Depending on the day of the month on which
closing takes place, borrower pays interest from the
date of closing to the end of the month. The first
mortgage payment of a loan is generally due on the
first of the following month.
Periodic Interest Rate Cap -
A limit on the amount that interest rates can
change at each adjustment period.
PITI - Principal,
Interest, Taxes, and Insurance, the
components of a monthly mortgage payment;
also called Monthly Housing Expenses.
Points (or Discount
Points) - Money paid
to a lender at closing in exchange
for a lower interest rate.
Each point is equal to 1% of
the loan amount.
Prepayment -
Full or partial payment
of the principal before
the due date. This
might occur if the
borrower makes extra
payments, sells the
property, or refinances
the existing loan.
Prepayment Penalty -
Fee charged by a lender for early
payment of debt.
Prime Rate -
Lowest commercial interest rate
charged by a bank on short-term
loans to its most credit-worthy
customers. Often used as an index
for home equity lines of credit.
Power of Attorney -
Legal document authorizing one
person to act on behalf of another.
Prepaid Expenses -
Taxes, insurance, and assessments
paid in advance of due dates.
Prepaid Interest -
Interest charged to a borrower
at closing to cover interest
on the loan between closing and
the end of the month in which
the loan closes.
Prequalification -
The process of estimating how
much money a prospective homebuyer
will be eligible to borrow prior
to application for a loan.
Principal -
The amount of debt, not counting
interest, left on a loan.
Private Mortgage Insurance
(PMI) - see Mortgage
Insurance.
Property Tax -
A government tax based on an
assessed value of a property.
PUD, Planned Unit Development -
A project or subdivision that
includes common property that
is owned and maintained by a
homeowners' association for the
benefit and use of all individual
PUD unit owners.
Purchase Agreement -
Contract signed by buyer and
seller stating the terms and
conditions under which a property
will be purchased.
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R
Rate
Lock (or Lock In) - A lender's guarantee of an interest
rate and related points for a set period of time, usually between
loan application and loan closing. Protects borrower against
rate increases during that time.
Real Estate Broker - An agent who
represents a buyer or seller in a real estate transaction.
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
(RESPA) - Law requiring lenders to
give borrowers advance notice of closing costs.
Real Property - Land
and everything that is permanently
affixed to it.
Realtor -
Real estate professional who
is a member of the National
Association of Realtors.
Re-Amortize -
The function to provide
a new payment amount
as it relates to a
new loan amount or
a new interest rate.
Reclamation -
The right of the person with
title to a property to recover
it from the debtor in the event
of a bankruptcy.
Reconveyance -
The transfer of property back
to the owner when a mortgage
is fully repaid.
Recording -
The act of entering documents
concerning title to a property
into the public records.
Recording Fee -
Money paid to an agent for entering
the sale of a property into the
public records.
Reduced Doc Loan -
This program eliminates the need
to verify income. Income stated
on the 1003 is used for qualification.
Borrowers who receive W2 income
are not qualified for this type
of loan. Two years of continuous
self-employment income or an
established or consistent 2 years'
source of income is required.
Refinancing -
The process of paying off one
loan with the proceeds from a
new loan secured by the same
property.
Repossession (or Foreclosure) -
Legal process by which the lender
forces the sale of a property
because the borrower has not
met the mortgage terms.
Rescisssion -
The cancellation of a mortgage
loan, permitted by law on a refinance
transaction when the property
is owner occupied.
RESPA - See
Real Estate Settlement Procedures
Act.
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S
Sales
Agreement - Contract signed by buyer and seller stating
the terms and conditions under which a property will be sold.
Second Mortgage - A subordinate mortgage
made in addition to a first mortgage.
Secondary Mortgage Market -
The market into which primary mortgage lenders
sell the mortgages to obtain funds to originate
more new loans. Includes investors like Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac.
Servicing (or Loan Administration) -
The collection of mortgage payments
from borrowers and related responsibilities
(such as handling escrows for property
tax and insurance, foreclosing on defaulted
loans, and remitting payments to investors).
Settlement (or Closing) -
Meeting between the buyer,
seller, and closing agent at
which property and funds legally
change hands.
Settlement
Cost (HUD guide) -
Booklet published by
the department of Housing
and Urban Development
(HUD) that provides
an overview of the
lending process, given
to consumers after
completing their loan
applications.
Settlement Costs -
See Closing Costs.
Settlement Sheet -
The computation of costs payable
at closing which determines the
seller's net proceeds and the
buyer's net payment.
Simple Interest -
Interest computed only on the
principal balance.
Survey - A measurement
of land, prepared by a licensed
surveyor, showing a property's
boundaries, elevations, improvements,
and relationship to surrounding
tracts.
Sweat Equity -
Value added to a property by
improvements made by the owner.
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T
Tax
Impound - See Escrow Account.
Tax Lien - Claim against a property
for unpaid taxes.
Tax Sale - Public sale of
property by a government authority as a result
of non-payment of taxes.
Term - The number
of years it will take to pay off a
loan.
Title - Document
which gives evidence of ownership
of a property and the rights
of ownership and possession
of that property.
Title Company -
A company that insures
title to property.
Title Insurance -
Insurance which protects
the lender (lender's
policy) or the buyer
(owner's policy) against
loss due to disputes
over ownership of a
property.
Title Search -
Examination of municipal records
to ensure that the seller is
the legal owner of a property
and that no liens or other claims
exist against the property.
Transfer Tax -
Tax paid when title passes from
one owner to another. Not applicable
in all jurisdictions.
Trust Account -
Account maintained by a broker
or escrow company to handle all
money collected for clients.
Trustee - Someone
given legal responsibility to
hold property in the best interest
of another.
Truth-In-Lending Act -
Federal law requiring written
disclosure of the terms of a
mortgage by a lender to a prospective
borrower within three business
days of application.
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U
Underwriting -
The process of verifying data and evaluating a loan for approval.
Usury - Interest charged in excess of
the legal rate established by law.
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V
VA
Loan - Home loan available to veterans with little
or no down payment and guaranteed by the U.S. Veteran's Administration.
Variable Rate - Interest rate that
changes periodically in relation to an index.
Variable Rate Mortgage - See
Adjustable Rate Mortgage.
Verification Of Deposit (VOD) -
Document signed by the borrower's bank
or other financial institution verifying
the borrower's account balance and
history.
Verification Of Employment
(VOE) - Document signed
by the borrower's employer
verifying the borrower's position
and salary.
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W
Waiver -
Voluntary relinquishment or surrender of some right or privilege.
Walk-Through - A final inspection of
a home to check for problems that may need to be corrected
before closing.
Wrap-Around Mortgage - Loan
arrangement in which an existing loan is combined
with a new loan, resulting in an interest rate
somewhere between the old rate and the current
market rate.
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Z
Zoning
Ordinances (or Zoning Regulations) - Local law establishing
building codes and usage regulations for properties in a specified
area.