Definition of "Mortgage"

A written document evidencing the lien on a property taken by a lender as security for the repayment of a loan. The term 'mortgage' or 'mortgage loan' is used loosely to refer both to the lien and to the loan. In most cases, they are defined in two separate documents: a mortgage and a note.

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Popular Mortgage Terms

Loan applications that are withdrawn by borrowers, because they have found a better deal or for other reasons. ...

A term that small lenders sometimes use to distinguish themselves from mortgage brokers. ...

An agreement by the lender not to exercise the legal right to foreclose in exchange for an agreement by the borrower to a payment plan that will cure the borrowers delinquency. ...

The method of financing used when a borrower contracts to have a house built, as opposed to purchasing a completed house. Construction can be financed in two ways. One way is to use two ...

Same as term housing expense. The sum of the monthly mortgage payment, hazard insurance, property taxes, and homeowner association fees. Housing expense is sometimes referred to as PITI, ...

The lowest interest rate possible under an ARM contract. Floors are less common than ceilings. ...

Same as term Points: An upfront cash payment required by the lender as part of the charge for the loan, expressed as a percent of the loan amount; e.g., '3 points' means a charge equal to ...

The interest rate that is fixed for some specified number of months or years at the beginning of the life of an ARM. ...

Same as term Negative Points: Points paid by a lender for a loan with a rate above the rate on a zero point loan. For example, a lender might quote the following prices: 8%/0 points, ...

Popular Mortgage Questions