Definition of "Acceleration Clause"

Thomas  Eason real estate agent

Written by

Thomas Easonelite badge icon

RE/MAX AEROSPACE

Acceleration Clause is a contractual provision inserted in a mortgage, a bond, a deed of trust or other credit vehicles, that gives the lender the right to demand repayment of the entire loan balance. Usually, such a clause becomes operational when there has been a default in payments of interest or principal or both.

When the acceleration clause is activated, the entire principal sum is called in and becomes due and payable. This fact would precipitate a foreclosure in the case of real estate, or bankruptcy action if the monies were not paid at the time of the call.

Acceleration clauses are created to protect the lender from borrower default and other risks. It prevents/deals with payment delinquencies, but can, on rare occasions, be structured for other occurrences too.

Let's see an acceleration clause in effect scenario:

Home Seller Barbara makes a Land Contract with Home Buyer Paul. He started paying correctly and living in Barbara's former house. He has paid already $30,000 of its $100,000 contract. At the end of it, he'll be the owner of the house. BUT: he didn't pay for the last 3 months, so the acceleration clause kicked in, Barbara filed for a land contract forfeiture and now Paul has to pay the rest of the $70,000 with one swing if he wants to still be able to get the house. Or else, they're done.

Accelerate your home buying/home selling process: find a real estate agent


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

A capital asset. An expenditure to buy property and other capital assets that generate revenue. Securities of real estate companies. ...

The clause in a deed beginning with the words " to have and to hold" limiting or defining the ownership nature of the estate in the property granted by the deed. Declares the type of ...

Final property appraisal estimate arrived at by applying appropriate appraisal methods. ...

One-story house with a low pitched roof often having an open floor plan. ...

Specific portion of a larger land tract. A parcel can also be a lot in a property subdivision. ...

Branching is a widespread phenomenon in banking and other financial domains. A branch office defines an office or business bureau that a company opened in another location to provide ...

Charge assessed a mortgagor by the mortgagee when assuming a pre-existing mortgage. The assumption fee is often included in the closing costs when purchasing property. ...

(1) Paved roadway constructed above lowlands such as a swamp. (2) Roadway in ancient Egypt connecting the valley temple with a pyramid. ...

Evaluation of a contemplated project or course of action, according to pre-establisher criteria to determine if the proposal meets the requirements of the property owner. An analysis is ...

Popular Real Estate Questions