A
Appraisal: An estimation of a home’s market
value by a licensed appraiser based on
comparable recent sales of nearby homes.
B
Backup offer: An offer on a home under
contract that becomes active if the primary
contract falls through.
C
Contingent offer: An offer that is accepted
by the seller, but certain conditions must be met
before the sale is final.
D
Down payment: The percentage of the
home purchased price (usually between 5%
and 20%) paid upfront in cash
E
Escrow: A neutral third party that holds funds
from the buyer and distributes them when all
conditions have been met.
F
Federal Housing Administration (FHA): The government agency that insures loans
designed for low- to moderate-income borrowers.
G
Good Faith Estimate (GFE): A form used
by lenders to give to borrowers with an estimate of fees due at closing. This form was replaced by the Loan Estimate in 2015.
H
Homeowners Association: A management organization within a community, subdivision or
neighborhood that creates and enforces rules for properties within its jurisdiction.
I
Inspection: An examination of a property
and its systems performed by a qualified professional, usually before the sale of a home.
J
Jumbo mortgage: A mortgage that exceeds the conforming-loan limit, commonly used forluxury home purchases.
K
Key rate: An interest rate set by the federal government that determines the cost to borrow money—in this case, a mortgage to buy a new home.
L
Loan-to-value (LTV): The risk assessment
ratio used by lenders. To calculate the LTV, divide the mortgage by the appraised value.
M
Multiple Listing Service (MLS): A
database for real estate agents to list and market for-sale homes.
N
Net proceed: The amount received by the seller at closing after all other costs have been
deducted.
O
Open house: An event hosted by a listing agent to showcase a home to potential buyers.
P
Pre-approval letter: A letter indicating that a lender is willing to loan a specific amount of money for a home purchase; pre-approval does not guarantee a loan.
Q
Quitclaim deed: A deed that transfers property rights without any validation of ownership; typically used between spouses and family members.
R
Real estate owned (REO) property: A repossessed property owned by a lender after an unsuccessful sale at auction.
S
Seller disclosure: A document completed by the seller disclosing the property’s history and defects.
T
Title: The right to ownership of real property recognized and protected by the law.
U
Under contract: A buyer has submitted an offer and the seller has accepted, but the closing is not final.
V
VA loan: A mortgage loan for veterans and their spouses, made by private lenders and guaranteed by the U. S. Government.
W
Walkthrough: The final inspection
conducted before a home sale is final.
X
X marks the spot: Where you sign for
your dream home!
Y
Yield-spread premium (YSP): The
amount a lender pays a mortgage officer for selling a loan with a higher interest rate than the par rate.
Z
Zero lot lines: A residence build very close
to—or directly on—the property line.