Acceleration Clause
Definition of "Acceleration Clause"
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
Popular Real Estate Terms
Classification of one's ownership rights in land. One way either buy the land and own all rights to it or lease it where one's rights are described in and limited by the lease agreement. ...
Purchase of part of property or property rights when condemnation takes place. The owner must be justly reimbursed. ...
A method of purchasing real estate whereby a maximum amount of leverage is used. Normally the seller will finance the down payment necessary to acquire a mortgage. Thus, the purchaser is ...
Single-family dwelling attached to other units by common walls. ...
Location Analysis is the appraisal of a general geographic area for a particular use. A Residential Real Estate Market professional (or consumer) rarely deals with a Location Analysis ...
Percentage of royalties derived from an oil and gas lease payable to someone other than the property lessor. It is a net royalty interest in the oil and gas recovered at the surface free of ...
Right of tenant to make use of a property's wood or food producing capacity to provide for his or her own necessities. ...
Contains the appliances necessary for the maintenance of an establishment. ...
Half oval window. It is usually small and placed over a doorway serving a decorative purpose. In some case, the window may be mounted with a hinge at either end to a permit opening for ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.