Definition of "Straight note"

Scott Lincicome real estate agent

Written by

Scott Lincicomeelite badge icon

Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Lifestyle Property Partners

The term straight note in real estate is also known as a promissory note. A straight note is defined as a loan agreement that generally requires payments of interest only over the term of the note. At the end of the term, the entire debt balance becomes payable in a single balloon payment. However, a straight note can also only require one payment that includes the amount of its principle to which the accrued interest is added that is also paid at the end of the loan in one balloon payment.

While other types of installment notes require monthly principal payments, a straight note can only demand interest payments. The principal payment is only covered at the end of the loan.

What is a Straight Note in Real Estate?

In real estate transactions, a straight note can also be referred to as a sleeper trust deed because interest usually accrues unpaid and is only required with the lump sum payment of the principal. However, if the principal is not required for a year or two, periodic accruing interest may be demanded during the term of a straight note.

A straight note in real estate isn’t a common loan because purchasing loans like mortgages are for much more extended periods of time. The most common reason to use straight notes in real estate is for short-term debt by lenders or carryback sellers. Another instance when the straight note is used in real estate is for evidence of short-term real estate commitments. For example, if someone wants to purchase a property, but the funds necessary for the closing might take a while to be granted, a straight note works as a bridge loan. The buyer will use the straight note to demonstrate a real estate obligation until the mortgage is granted.

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

Need to know the Ad Litem definition after coming across this weird term? Ad litem is short for “Guardian Ad Litem” or “Attorney Ad litem”, a legal term that ...

Written obligation of a borrower that is backed by collateral in the event of default. The lender must assure himself that the market value of the security equals or exceeds the amount of ...

An individual providing evidence in a trial under penalties of perjury. The witness's testimony id under oath. Observing the occurrence of an event or the transacting of a transaction ...

Floor design to provide sound insulation qualities. A floating floor is separated from the building's structure by use of special resilient materials, often fabricated from fiberglass, or ...

Also called "Grey Shell, "Bare Shell," and "Artic Shell," a Cold Shell could be described as the more radical version of a Vanilla Shell. So, what does precisely the Cold Shell definition ...

A freehold equity in a n estate, restricted to the duration of the life of the grantee or other stipulated individual. ...

In commerce and business, margin as a general term is defined as by the difference between the amount of money spent on a product and the selling price of it. The margin usually appears as ...

The maximum pre-approved amount that an individual or business can borrow without preparing a new credit request. It is a safety buffer in the event funds are needed for unexpected ...

When an Appraisal is done, its ultimate goal is to define a Market Value for that property. So, in short, market value is the value of a real estate property in a free competitive ...

Popular Real Estate Questions