The Rosetta Stone of Home Loan Terms

When visiting a foreign, exotic location, you always try to learn at least the basic terms of the country. Well, one could argue that the mortgage industry is definitely a foreign world. Before visiting, you should have an understanding of the following terms.
Amortization occurs with every loan, but is a misunderstood concept. It simply refers to the repayment of the loan on a schedule. The schedule is typically monthly payments over a term of years.
If you are cash rich at the closing, you might want to investigate paying a discount point. It is the equivalent of one percent of the loan amount. By paying it, you can pay down the interest rate on the loan and save money over time.

As a buyer, you are going to be asked to put down an earnest money deposit. This essentially tells the seller you are serious about the purchase. The deposit then becomes part of the down payment when closing occurs. Make sure to notify the lender of the amount.
The mortgage application is pretty much what it sounds like. It should be viewed, however, as only the first step in the process. You can expect the lender to ask for additional information and documentation.
Perhaps the simplest term to understand is equity. Equity is simply the amount you own free and clear of any debt obligations on your home. Equity grows as you pay down the mortgage balance. It also grows as the home appreciates. Over time, it can become a large amount.
There are a number of quasi-government lenders. Fannie-Mae is one. It does not lend to the public directly, but guarantees loans made by lenders to certain types of lenders, often first time buyers or low-income borrowers.
A mortgage loan is really a calculation of risk. Some lenders try to lower their risk by requiring borrowers to maintain a “cash reserve”. This is an amount of money held in a bank account and is often equal to three months of your total expenses.