Definition of "Ability to pay"

The ability to pay is a self-explanatory term used in Real Estate to determine if the Home Buyer has the financial health to honor a deal.

Mortgage Lenders can't afford to lend out money to whoever they like; they need to know if the borrower is able to pay the loan back. There are several calculations done to assert a home buyer's (or a borrower's) ability to pay, and the debt-to-income ratio calculation and the credit score evaluation are the most famous ones.

In many ways, it was the lack of attention to this economic principle on the Lender's part that led the country and, especially, the business into the "Great Recession" of 2008. Both lenders and borrowers didn't care about the ability to pay and suddenly no one was paying for the loans anymore. Lots of foreclosed homes and the rest is History... and we hope it stays like this: History!

Real Estate Tips:
Test your ability to learn by continuingly searching terms on our Real Estate Glossary!

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Passageway existing from property. An agree may lead to a roadway or some other form of exit. ...

The legal right of a widow to a portion of her deceased husbands real property. ...

Concrete with steel rods inserted into it to provide additional working load support. The premise is that both materials will act together in resisting loan stress. ...

Space reserved for specified vehicles. For example, an office building may have space available for automobiles of tenants, clients of tenants, and other visitors. Parking facilities may be ...

Present worth of the property which is different than the price paid for it or its book value (cost less accumulated depreciation). The current value may be determined through appraisal. ...

lease computed as a percentage of the underlying appraised property value. Under the terms of a reappraisal lease, the rent is periodically adjusted using an independent appraisal of the ...

Loan mandating equal periodic payments to pay off the loan subsequent to the last payment. ...

Housing where affirmative action is actively pursued encouraging people of all races, nationalities, and religions to purchase or rent the facilities. ...

The term foraging comes from the old germanic language, which passed through Old French “fuerre” and “fourrage” and it means the search for wild food resources. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions