Typically there is a limit (referred to as the step on how much the interest rate can rise or fall in a given adjustment period, and there may also be a lifetime cap that sets a maximum rate. A convertible ARM allows the borrower to fix the interest rate at a later date.

Adjustment Period: The time interval between adjustments of the interest rate of an ARM Adjustment periods can vary from daily to several years. The most common are annually, semi-annually and monthly.

Amortize: To pay off a mortgage in equal installments. A typical 30 year mortgage would have 360 equal payments (though the last payment often ends up being slightly less).

However, if the term of the mortgage is of a shorter duration than the amortization schedule upon which it is based, it is important to realize that a large amount may be due at the end of the mortgage. For example, a 30 year amortization due in 10 means that the payments will be structured as though the mortgage were to be paid over a 30 year period, but the loan will come due after 10 years, with a large (balloon) payment due for the balance of the principal.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR): The base interest rate of a loan plus all additional service charges and costs. APR is considered the loan's true rate of interest, and is shown on the Truth in Lending Statement.

Appraisal: An estimate of the Fair Market Value of a piece of property, arrived at by comparing sales of similar properties comparables in the local area within a recent period of time. Replacement cost and income potential of property can also be a factor in determining value. The appraisal must be done by a licensed appraiser.

Appreciation: The increase in value of a piece of property over time.

Arms Length Transaction: A transaction between parties who have no pre-existing business or family relationships. All parties are considered to be in an equal bargaining position and to be acting in their own best interests.

Arrearages: The accumulated delinquent principle, interest, taxes and insurance the borrower owes the lender.

Assessed Valuation: Value that a taxing authority places on real estate for taxing purposes.

Assumption: When the buyer of a piece of property agrees to take over the existing mortgage.

Balloon Loan: When the mortgage repayment schedule is structured to end with a very large final payment. For example: a loan amortized over 30 years that is due in 7 years will have payments equal to a 30 year mortgage, but the unpaid balance of the loan will need to be paid off or refinanced at the end of 7 years. This can lead to problems for the homeowner if their financial picture changes drastically due to circumstances beyond their control. To help protect against this, a clause is sometimes included in balloon mortgages allowing for automatic refinancing when the balloon payment comes due.

Bankruptcy: The process by which an individual or business is relieved of the payment of debts, after the submission of all assets to a trustee appointed by the court for the protection of creditors. Although it is still possible to obtain a loan after a bankruptcy, a bankruptcy will have a serious impact on your ability to get a loan and should be discussed with a lender as early in the lending process as possible.

Buydown: When additional payment is made at closing for the purpose of reducing the interest rate, whether for a short period or the full term of the loan.

Commitment: An approval of the mortgage to close at a future date, subject to the specific terms and conditions that have been agreed upon between lender and borrower.

Comparables/Comps: Recently sold properties used in an appraisal to determine the Fair Market Value of the property being appraised. Comparables should be similar to the subject property in terms of size, location and amenities.

Cost of Funds Index (COFI): An index based on the average cost of obtaining funds for the group of savings institutions which comprise the index. The most common is the 11th District COFI, which is the weighted average cost of savings, borrowing and advances for the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.

The 11th District COFI is one of the indexes that may be used to set the interest rate for an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). A COFI index usually fluctuates more slowly than other ARM indexes.

Debt to Income Ratio: Actually two variations on the ratio of a borrower's debt to his income. Considered by a lender in determining the borrower's ability to repay a loan.
The front end ratio is the borrower's total monthly housing cost (principal, interest, real estate tax, hazard insurance) divided by total gross monthly income.

The back end ratio is the borrower's total monthly payments (housing cost plus all monthly payments for auto, credit cards and any other debt) divided by total gross monthly income.
For example: for an FHA loan the ratios are 29/41. This means that 29% of the borrower's gross monthly income can go towards housing cost, and 41% of gross monthly income can go towards his total monthly payments.

Debt to income ratios are very important to the lender in determining your eligibility for a particular loan. For most sub-prime (imperfect credit) loans, the back end ratio is the only ratio considered.

Deed: The written document by which ownership of real property is established or transferred.

Down Payment: The amount of the buyer own money put in at purchase, not including any closing costs and loan fees. Depending on such factors as credit standing and the type of loan desired, the buyer may be required to put down a greater or lesser percentage of the sales price as down payment.

Due on Sale Clause: A clause found in most mortgages, stipulating that should the borrower sell the property the entire loan amount will come due.

Equity: The owner interest in a property. Market value less all financing.

Fair Market Value: A property's worth on the open market, assuming a willing buyer and seller with no undue pressure to act and full knowledge of all significant information relating to the property.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA): Government agency (now a part of of the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development) created in 1934 to restore lender confidence and increase home ownership. The FHA does not lend funds, but rather insures loans that lenders make to consumers. FHA-insured loans can make it much easier for first-time homebuyers to purchase a home.

Fixed Rate: A mortgage with an interest rate that does not change for the ter

m of the mortgage. The most popular type of mortgage, except in times of high interest.

Forbearance Agreement: An agreement that the lender will delay exercising the right to forelose, as long as the borrower performs according to certain conditions.

Foreclosure: To terminate the borrower rights to property after he defaults on the mortgage loan. Foreclosure proceedings vary by state. Generally the foreclosure process allows for a redemption period, during which the borrower can attempt to pay off the debt and reclaim the property.

Gift Letter: Letter verifying that funds given to a borrower are a gift and need not be repaid.

Good Faith Estimate: Document, required to be given to the borrower at the time of application, itemizing the costs for the proposed loan.

Gross Income: Total income, before deducting taxes and expenses.

Hazard Insurance: Insurance to protect a property from loss due to fire and other types of damage. Required in order to get a mortgage.

Impounds: Real Estate Taxes and Insurance as well as Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) may be paid apart from the monthly mortgage payment, or these costs may be added to the principal and interest portion of the mortgage payment.

Index: An independent, published rate used to set the interest rate on an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). The most common indexes are the 1 year T-bill, the 11th District COFI, and the LIBOR (London Interbank Borrowing Rate). The ARM interest rate is determined by adding a margin to the chosen index.

The different indexes vary in their volatility, and so consumers choice of an index may depend on the state of interest rates. For example, in times of low rates, a slow-to-change index may be preferable.

Judgement: The final decree in a court. It can result in a lien being placed on a property.

LIBOR Index: The London Interbank Offered Rate. It is the index used for Eurodollar deposits traded between banks. A relatively stable rate, the LIBOR is a popular choice as an index for ARM.

Lien: A claim or encumbrance on a property. Mortgages, unpaid property tax bills and condo fees are all liens, for example.

Loan to Value Ratio (LTV): The amount of a loan as a percentage of the value of the property. For example, a loan of 90% LTV on a property appraised at $100,000 would amount to a mortgage of $90,000. The maximum LTV will vary between different loan programs.

Margin: The amount that is added to an index to determine the interest rate for an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). The margin is fixed in the mortgage. For example, if you have a 2.75 margin on a 1 year T-Bill ARM, you would take the interest rate of a 1 year T-Bill (for example, 5.75), add on the margin (2.75 + 5.75 = 8.5) and you would have an interest rate of 8.5 percent.

Mortgage: An instrument for lending money on real estate. The property is pledged as security for the loan, and the lender has the right to take over the property if the borrower defaults on the terms of the loan. (Mortgage derives from two French words meaning dead pledge, because when the loan has been repaid, the mortgage is considered void or dead.

Mortgagee: The lender.

Mortgagor: The borrower.

Owner Occupant: A borrower who will be residing in a property as his/her principal residence.

Prepayment Clause: A clause in a mortgage, charging a penalty to the borrower if the loan is paid off before its due date.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): A fee charged by the lender which is based upon the loan to value of the loan being made. Usually, this is a fraction of 1% of the loan amount and the fee can be impounded along with taxes and insurance, or the premium for one year can be paid in full at the close of the escrow. This fee protects the lender in case of default by the borrower. FHA loans require Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI). Typically once a homeowner has paid the principal balance of the loan down to below 80% LTV, the homeowner may request the lender to remove this fee. Some lenders are very picky about this, and even though the LTV is below 80%, they may keep the PMI on the loan until it has reached 75% LTV.

Refinance: To pay off an existing mortgage by replacing it with a new one, usually at a lower interest rate.

Reinstatement: Paying up all delinquent mortgage payments and late charges.

Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA): Law requiring lenders to provide borrowers with information regarding the terms and fees of a mortgage. Administered by HUD.

Reserves: Funds the borrower has beyond those necessary to cover the down payment and closing cost. The larger (and longer held) a borrower's reserves, the better a credit risk he is considered to be.