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

Real estate bought and leased to tenants to obtain rental income. ...

Charges billed for services rendered. They may be on a flat basis or on an hourly rate. ...

Room in a building used to collect solar heat. To provide for such collection, a room is generally constructed with a glass roof and walls. ...

Matters that need to be rectified in a home or building prior to its sale or acceptance by a new owner. For example, a leaking water pipe should be repaired prior to showing the property to ...

Self-employed contractor who may perform work on a structure such as residential or commercial property. ...

Are you speculating what a spec house means? (sorry for the lousy pun) The textbook spec (or speculative) house definition is “one built on an experimental basis, without an order ...

Structure built into the water from the land providing a facility for boats to tie up. A dock will often provide utility access ...

Make changes to existing property. Example are putting in a new bathroom, kitchen, or basement ...

British thermal unit-a unit of energy associated with the creation of heat. Prior to 1929, it was defined as the amount of heat required to raised the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 ...

Popular Real Estate Questions