Reverse Mortgage Terms You Should Know

A layman’s glossary of 34 terms commonly used during the process of arranging a mortgage.

Amount Financed” – It means the amount of money you are borrowing from the lender, minus most of the upfront fees the lender is charging you. The amount financed is shown on page 5 of your Closing Disclosure under “Loan Calculations.” For example, if you have a $100,000 loan, but the lender is charging you $4,000 in certain types of fees in order to get the loan, the “amount financed” would be $96,000.

APR – This stands for Annual Percentage Rate. It enables you to compare the full cost of the mortgage. Rather than just being an interest rate, it includes up front and ongoing costs of taking out a mortgage. The formula for calculating APR is set by Government Regulations and therefore enables direct comparison of the cost of mortgages.

Capital and Interest Mortgage – This is when part of your monthly payment contributes to paying off the outstanding mortgage in addition to paying the interest on the mortgage. The payments are structured so that at the end of the term, your mortgage will have been completely paid off. For this reason this type of mortgage is also called a Repayment Mortgage.

Capped Rate – This is a mortgage where the lender agrees that the interest charged will never exceed a specific percentage. This deal lasts for a set period of years. After the set period, the rate usually reverts to the lenders standard variable rate. During the capped period, the interest charges can move up and down with the lenders interest rate – but cannot exceed the capped rate.

Cashback – An amount, either fixed or a percentage of a mortgage, which you can opt to receive when you complete your mortgage. The lender may well claw back this money through a higher interest rate.

Closing Disclosure – is a five-page form that provides final details about the mortgage loan you have selected. It includes the loan terms, your projected monthly payments, and how much you will pay in fees and other costs to get your mortgage (closing costs)

Completion – This is end of the house buying process, when the funds are transferred and the keys are handed over. Happy moving!

Contract – A contract is a binding agreement between the buyer and seller. In the context of house buying, after the contract is signed by both the buyer and the seller it is then ‘exchanged’ between the respective solicitors for a set completion date. At that point, the contract is legally binding on both parties.

Conforming Loan – is one that satisfies the terms and conditions set forth by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and their regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)

Conventional Loan  – is any mortgage loan that is not insured or guaranteed by the government (such as under Federal Housing Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, or Department of Agriculture loan programs).  Conventional loans can be conforming or non-conforming

Jumbo Loan – Each year Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and their regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), set a maximum amount for loans that they will buy from lenders. In general, the loan limits are $417,000, although they go as high as $625,500 in some high-cost parts of the continental United States and Puerto Rico, and higher still in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.Mortgage loans are allowed to exceed these loan limits. Larger loans are called jumbo mortgages. The cost of obtaining a jumbo mortgage is generally higher than the cost of obtaining other loans.

Conveyancing – This is the legal process in which property is bought and sold. You can do it yourself or hire a solicitor or specialized conveyance to perform the tasks for you. The buying of a freehold is much less complicated than the buying of a leasehold.

Demand Feature – The Closing Disclosure has a statement that reads “Your loan has a demand feature,” which is checked “yes” or “no.” A demand feature permits the lender to require early repayment of the loan.

Discounted Rate – This is where the lender makes a guaranteed reduction off the standard variable rate for an agreed period of time. After the discounted period ends, the mortgage usually moves to the lenders’ standard variable rate. Watch out for redemption penalties that overhang the initial discount period.

Equity – In housing terminology, equity is the difference between the value of the property and the money owed on the property. So if the property is valued at $200,000 and you owe $150,000 on the mortgage, you have equity of $50,000. If you sold at that moment, you would receive $50,000 less any selling costs. Should the value of the home be less than the mortgage outstanding then you have negative equity.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are large companies that guarantee most of the mortgages made in the U.S. Together, they are also known as the government sponsored enterprises (GSEs). Historically, they were private companies operating with government permission and under government regulation. In late 2008, following the financial crisis, the U.S. government took over operations at both companies. Loan guarantees from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reduce risk for lenders who make loans and investors who might purchase them.  This makes loans more affordable and contributes to the availability of 30-year fixed-rate loans. Loans that are not eligible for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac guarantees are typically more expensive. Loans guaranteed by the GSEs are known as conventional  loans. To qualify, these loans must meet certain criteria. Some requirements are established by government regulation (for example, maximum loan amounts), while others are set by the companies.

Forbearance – is when your servicer allows you temporarily to pay your mortgage at a lower rate or temporarily to stop paying your mortgage. Your servicer may grant you forbearance if, for example, you recently lost your job, suffered from a disaster, or from an illness or injury that increased your health care costs. Forbearance is a type of loss mitigation.

Government Recording Charges  – are fees assessed by state and local government agencies for legally recording your deed, mortgage and documents related to your home loan. Either a buyer or a seller may pay these fees. These charges are listed in section E on page 2 of your Loan Estimate (and section E on page 2 of your Closing Disclosure). The sum of these charges and certain other settlement services generally cannot increase by more than 10 percent in total at closing.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) -A HELOC is a line of credit that allows you to borrow against your home equity. Equity is the amount your property is currently worth, minus the amount of any mortgage on your property. Unlike a home equity loan, HELOCs usually have adjustable interest rates.  For most HELOCs, you will receive special checks or a credit card, and you can borrow money only for a specified time, from when you open your account. This time period is known as the “draw period.” During the “draw period,” you can borrow money and you must make minimum payments. When the “draw period” ends, you will no longer be able to borrow money from your line of credit.

Home-buyers Report – A property survey aimed at providing more information than a mortgage valuation but less information than a full structural survey. It will help the borrower to decide whether to purchase and help the lender to decide how much to lend.

Homeowner’s Insurance –  Pays for losses and damage to your property if something unexpected happens, like a fire or burglary. Standard homeowner’s insurance does no’t cover damage from earthquakes or floods, but it may be possible to add this coverage. Homeowner’s insurance is also sometimes referred to as “hazard insurance.” Many homeowners pay for their homeowner’s insurance through an escrow account as part of their monthly mortgage payment. You make the payments to the lender, and the lender holds the part of the payment that is for insurance in an escrow account. Then, when the bill for the insurance is due, the lender pays it from the escrow account. The cost of your homeowner’s insurance, as well as any similar insurance to protect the property, is listed on page one of your Loan Estimate, in the “Projected Payments” section. However, it’s usually a good idea to do your own research about how much homeowner’s insurance costs. You can shop separately for homeowner’s insurance and choose the provider and plan that is right for you.  When you have a mortgage, your lender wants to make sure your property is protected by insurance. That’s why lenders generally require proof that you have homeowner’s insurance. If you don’t have insurance, your lender is allowed to buy it for you and charge you for it—but your lender must give you advance notice. If your lender buys insurance on your home because you did not keep up your homeowner’s insurance, that insurance may only cover the lender, and not you. It also may be more expensive than what you could buy on your own.  Homeowner’s insurance protects your property. Homeowner’s insurance is not the same as mortgage insurance.

HUD-1 Settlement Statement –  is a document that lists all charges and credits to the buyer and to the seller in a real estate settlement, or all the charges in a mortgage refinance.

IFAs – Stands for Independent Financial Advisor. These advisors are regulated by the Financial Services Authority. To be classified as “independent” they have to be able to offer you the full range of products from all financial product providers. They are not entitled to describe themselves as “independent” if they can only offer products from a restricted panel of financial companies. A Financial Advisor can be one man band or work for very large companies. Before they make any recommendation, an IFA must carry out a detailed fact find so they fully understand your financial circumstances. They can then make their recommendations to suit your personal circumstances.

ISA – An ISA is an Individual Savings Account, which is a tax-free method of owning shares, building up a cash savings account or a life assurance policy. You can use an ISA to build up a capital sum to repay an interest only mortgage.

Leasehold – If your property is leasehold, ownership of the property reverts to the Freeholder at a set date. Many houses were originally sold on 999 year leases which means that 999 years after the initial date of the Leasehold, ownership of the property reverts to the Freeholder. Building in multiple occupation such as apartments, are always sold on a leasehold and usually have a much shorter leasehold period – 100 and 125 years is quite common. Often, with a block of apartments, the apartment owners individually own the leaseholds whilst a management company, in which they hold shares, owns the freehold. These days, however, leaseholders who live in the property have the legal right to buy their freehold under terms laid down by UK law.

Life Insurance – This can also be called Term Insurance or, when specifically linked to proprty purchase, as Mortgage Protection Insurance. It is designed to pay a tax free lump sum in the event of your death to enable your mortgage to be repaid in full. There are a number of variants such as Level Term Life Insurance and Decreasing Term Life Insurance. At the outset you take out insurance for the full sum you have borrowed from your mortgage lender and for the same number of years as you have agreed on your mortgage. These insurance policies do not have any investment or surrender value. The premiums are based on a number of factors – the main ones being the amount of cover you need, your age, health and how many years you want to be insured for.

Loan Estimate – is a three-page form that you receive after applying for a mortgage. The Loan Estimate tells you important details about the loan you have requested. The lender must provide you a Loan Estimate within three business days of receiving your application.
The Loan Estimate is a form that took effect on Oct. 3, 2015

Lock-In Period – This is the minimum period you have agreed to stay with the lender. Depending on the deal, it could be as low as six months up to the whole of the term. Should you wish to repay the mortgage or remortgage during the lock-in period, you will invariably have to pay redemption penalties. Always make sure you know how long you are locked in for with your mortgage.

LTV – Literally means Loan to Value. This is a measurement of the mortgage amount against the value of the property or the price that you are actually paying. A $300,000 mortgage on a property for which you paid $150,000 would be a LTV of 50%.

Mortgage – A mortgage is a long-term loan taken out in order to buy a property with repayment secured on that property. So if you don’t keep to the repayment terms, the lender can repossess the property, sell it and retain the money they are owed. Any balance is then paid to you. If the property is sold for less than you owe your lender, you still remain liable to repay the shortfall.

Negative Equity – Negative equity is when the value of your home is less than the amount that you owe on your mortgage plus any other loans secured against it. It can happen very easily if you take out a 100% mortgage or if property prices fall. (Also see Higher Lending Charge)

Origination Fee –  is what the lender charges the borrower for making the mortgage loan. Origination services include taking and processing your loan application, underwriting and funding the loan, and other administrative services. Origination fees are listed in section A of page 2 of your Loan Estimate. Origination fees generally cannot increase at closing, except under certain circumstances. The final charges are listed in section A of page 2 of your Closing Disclosure.

Piggyback” second mortgage – A “piggyback” second mortgage is a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) that is made at the same time as your main mortgage. Its purpose is to allow borrowers with low down payment savings to borrow additional money in order to qualify for a main mortgage without paying for private mortgage insurance.  Typically, borrowers with a down payment less than 20 percent of the home’s price will need to pay for mortgage insurance. For example, a borrower that can afford a 10 percent down payment would typically pay for the first 10 percent of the home’s price with their down payment, and the remaining 90 percent of the price with a mortgage that requires mortgage insurance.  When using a “piggyback” mortgage, lenders structure the loans differently.  For example, the same borrower might pay for the home with: a 10 percent down payment, 80 percent main mortgage, and a 10 percent “piggyback” second mortgage. In this scenario, the borrower is still borrowing 90 percent of the value of the home, but the main mortgage is only 80 percent.  The “piggyback” second mortgage typically carries a higher interest rate, which is also often adjustable. These programs are offered under a variety of lender-specific brand names, but follow the same basic structure. The “piggyback” structure was common during the mortgage boom in the early to mid-2000s. It is rare today, but could return. Under the rules during the mortgage boom, borrowers did not have to pay for mortgage insurance with an 80 percent main mortgage

Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance (PITI) –  are the four basic elements of a monthly mortgage payment. Your payments of principal and interest go toward repaying the loan. Amounts that cover property taxes and homeowner’s insurance may go into an escrow account, if you are required or choose to have one, to cover your property tax and homeowner’s insurance payments as they come due.

Portable – This is a measure of how easy it is to move a mortgage from one property to another should a property move be required. This is vital if you are moving during your lock-in-period and wish to avoid redemption penalties.

Prepayment Penalty -A prepayment penalty is a fee that some lenders charge if you pay off all or part of your mortgage early. If you have a prepayment penalty, you would have agreed to this when you closed on your home. Not all mortgages have a prepayment penalty. Typically, a prepayment penalty only applies if you pay off the entire mortgage balance – for example, because you sold your home or are refinancing your mortgage – within a specific number of years (usually three or five years). In some cases, a prepayment penalty could apply if you pay off a large amount of your mortgage all at once. Prepayment penalties do not normally apply if you pay extra principal on your mortgage in small chunks at a time–but it’s always a good idea to double check with the lender.

Repayment Mortgage – This is the same as a Capital and Interest mortgage – see above.

Reverse Mortgage – is a special type of home loan only for homeowners who are 62 and older. A reverse mortgage loan allows homeowners to borrow money using their home as security for the loan, just like a traditional mortgage. Unlike a traditional mortgage, with a reverse mortgage, borrowers don’t make monthly mortgage payments. The loan is repaid when the borrowers no longer live in the home. Interest and fees are added to the loan balance each month and the balance grows. With a reverse mortgage homeowners are still required to pay property taxes and homeowner’s insurance, and keep their house in good condition. With a reverse mortgage, the amount the homeowner owes to the lender goes up – not down – over time. This is because interest and fees are added to the loan balance each month. As your loan balance increases, your home equity decreases. Warning: A reverse mortgage is not free money. It is a loan that homeowners or their heirs will have to pay back eventually, usually by selling the home

Searches – During the conveyancing process, the buyer has to be sure that the seller has title to the property and identify any matters may affect the prospective owners ownership of the property. For example, whether the property is affected by any proposed road building, whether there are preservation orders affecting the property, is it a listed building and has it been built in accordance with planning conditions and building regulations. Searches will also show whether there are mines under or close by the property. This information is obtained by the person undertaking the conveyancing from HM Land Registry and the relevant Local Authority. These investigations are collectively known as “Searches”.

Security Interest – The security interest is what lets the lender foreclose if you don’t pay back the money you borrowed.
A security interest means that if you don’t make the mortgage payments as agreed, or if you break your agreement with the lender, the lender can take your home and sell it to pay off the loan. You give the lender this right when you sign your closing forms. The document granting the security interest can be called by different names, but the most common names are “Mortgage” or “Deed of Trust.

Title Insurance – provides protection to the homeowner if someone sues and says they have a claim against the home from before the homeowner purchased it. When you purchase your home, you receive a document most often called a deed, which shows the seller transferred their legal ownership, or “title” to their home, to you. Title insurance can protect you if someone later sues and says they have a claim against the home from before you purchased it. Common claims come from a previous owner’s failure to pay taxes or from contractors who say they were not paid for work done on the home before you purchased it. Most lenders require you to purchase a lender’s title insurance policy, which protects the amount they lend. You may want to buy an owner’s title insurance policy, which can help protect your financial investment in the home. You can usually shop for your title insurance provider separately from your mortgage. If you shop for title insurance, you may be able to save money. If you choose to buy owner’s title insurance, the total cost will usually be lower if you use the same provider for both the lender’s policy and the owner’s policy, compared to buying them separately.

Title Service Fees (TSF) – are part of the closing costs you pay when getting a mortgage. When you purchase a home, you receive a document most often called a deed, which shows the seller transferred their legal ownership, or “title,” to the home to you. Title service fees are costs associated with issuing a title insurance policy for the lender.  Title insurance can provide protection if someone later sues and says they have a claim against the home. Common claims come from a previous owner’s failure to pay taxes or from contractors who say they were not paid for work done on the home before you purchased it.Lender’s title insurance is usually required to get a mortgage loan. Title service fees include the title search fee, the premium for the lender’s title insurance policy, and other costs and services associated with issuing title insurance. In most states, the fee for conducting your closing is also a part of the title service fees.

Total Interest Percentage (TIP) – The Total Interest Percentage (TIP) is a disclosure that tells you how much interest you will pay over the life of your mortgage loan.

Total of Payments” (TOP) – This number tells you the total amount of money you will have paid over the life of your mortgage.

Variable Rate – This is when the interest rate you pay on your mortgage can go up or down depending on changes to the lender’s standard variable rate. If you have a variable rate mortgage your monthly mortgage payments will change whenever the lender changes the interest rate.

Valuation – This is where a valuer appointed by your proposed lender, visits the property in order to estimate its current value. This value is then used by the lender as a basis for its security and to calculate its Loan to Value Ratio. The borrower never sees the valuation. With some mortgage deals the lender absorbs the cost of the valuation but in many cases the borrower has to pay upfront.