Mortgage Glossary
There are a lot of unfamiliar terms that get tossed around during the mortgage process. But don't worry, we've put together this glossary to help you get a better grasp of any terms that may be less than clear.
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Change Frequency
Term sometimes used to describe the frequency of payment or interest rate changes in an adjustable-rate-mortgage (ARM).
Chattel
Anything tangible and owned, other than real estate. The same as personal property.
City/County Tax Stamp
A tax that is required in some municipalities if a property changes hands or a new mortgage is obtained. The amount of this tax can vary with each state, city and county. For our comparison purposes, this fee is considered a tax or other unavoidable fee.
Civilian Employment
Economic indicator that reports the number of new civilian jobs created and the percentage of civilians in the job market who are unemployed. One of the most anticipated and closely watched economic indicators. Frequency: monthly. Source: Labor Department.
Clear Title
A title that is free of clouds, liens, disputed interests or legal questions as to ownership of the property.
Close of Escrow
A meeting of the parties involved in a real estate transaction to finalize the process. In the case of a purchase, the close of escrow usually involves the seller, the buyer, the real estate broker and the lender. In the case of a refinance, the close of escrow involves the borrower and the lender. Sometimes referred to as the settlement or closing.
Closing
A meeting of the parties involved in a real estate transaction to finalize the process. In the case of a purchase, a closing usually involves the seller, the buyer, the real estate broker and the lender. In the case of a refinance, the closing involves the borrower and the lender. Sometimes referred to as the settlement or the close of escrow.
Closing Cost Item
A single fee that a home buyer must pay at closing. Closing costs are made up of individual closing cost items such as origination fees, escrow fees, underwriting fees and processing fees. Most closing cost items are included as numbered items on the HUD-1 Settlement Statement.
Closing Costs
The total of all the items that must be paid at closing related to your new mortgage.
Closing Statement
Also referred to as the HUD-1 or the settlement statement, this is the document that provides line by line detail of the financial details related to a specific real estate transaction such as the fees paid by the seller and the buyer for a purchase transaction or the fees paid by the borrower for refinances.
Cloud on Title
Any conditions such as encumbrances, liens or claims revealed by a title search that adversely affect the title to real estate. Clouds on a title often cannot be removed, except by a quitclaim deed release, or court action. Compare with clear title.
Co-maker
A person who signs a promissory note along with the primary borrower. A co-maker's signature guarantees that the loan will be repaid, because the borrower and the co-maker are equally responsible for the repayment. Sometimes called a co-signer.
Coinsurance
A sharing of hazard insurance risk between the insurer and the insured, or others. A coinsurance clause states to what extent a loss will be covered based on the percentage of value insured.
Collateral
Property pledged as security for a debt. The borrower risks losing the collateral if the debt is not repaid according to the terms of the loan contract.
Collection
The process of bringing a delinquent debt current and the filing of the necessary notices to proceed with repossession or foreclosure when necessary.