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

Limited partnership in which limited partners rely on the general partner to choose specific properties after the funds are available. ...

Rate of return that is necessary to maintain market value of a real estate project. The cost of capital is used for project evaluation purposes. Under the net present value method, the cost ...

See common law. ...

Many homebuyers or real estate investors only think of mortgages when it comes to financial aid in real estate purchasing. Lately, with the increasing desire of homebuyers to not be ...

Rule within the Internal Revenue Code applicable to capital gains from selling real estate that has been depreciated for tax purposes. Most buildings must be depreciated using the ...

(1) Reconciling the records to show agreement. (2) Agreement of the records to physical amounts. ...

The broad use of credit to purchase a security. ...

A flexible price that may be adjusted. A resolved situation between two or people or parties through discussions in which common interests are modified. For example, real estate ...

Net return rate earned on an equity investment in real estate after deducing any interest costs and taxes. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions