Q -
WHAT IS A "CAP"?
Top
A - The maximum adjustment of the interest rate
permitted at any interval.
Q -
WHAT IS THE "CEILING FLOOR"?
Top
A - The highest of lowest interest rates that may
be charged during the term of the loan.
Q -
WHAT IS A "CONVENTIONAL LOAN"?
Top
A - A loan which is not insured or guaranteed
by a government agency.
Q -
WHAT ARE "CONVERSION FEATURES"?
Top
A - Generally, these allow changing an
Adjustable Rate Loan to a Fixed Rate Loan.
Q -
WHAT ARE "GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED LOANS"?
A - VA or RECD
Q -
WHAT ARE "GOVERNMENT INSURED LOANS"?
Top
A - FHA or RECD
Q -
WHAT IS AN "INDEX"?
Top
A - The published rate of interest that is the
basis for calculating the new interest rate.
Q -
"INSURANCE OR GUARANTEE"?
Top
A - To provide extra security to the lender
above the borrower's credit worthiness
and property as collateral.
Q -
WHAT IS AN "INTERVAL"?
Top
A - How often the interest rate is adjusted.
Q -
HOW DOES A "LEVEL PAYMENT FULLY
AMORTIZED" LOAN WORK?
Top
A - The principal and interest payment is
constant each month.
Q -
WHAT IS A "MARGIN"?
Top
A - The increment above the index that is
paid, such as prime + 2%.
Q -
WHAT IS A "PAYMENT CAP"?
Top
A - The maximum adjustment that the payment
may be raised at an interval.
Q -
HOW DOES A "STRAIGHT LINE AMORTIZED
LOAN" WORK?
Top
A - The principal part of the payment is constant
each month, the interest portion declines
each month because the balance is declining.
Q -
What is a "Fixed Rate"
Mortgage?
Top
A -
The Interest Rate of the Mortgage remains
the same throughout the term of the loan.
Q -
What is an "FHA" Loan?
Top
A -
A Government backed loan which allows for
more flexibility in qualifying and other aspects of getting approved.
Q -
What is a "VA" Loan?
Top
A - A Government backed loan for veterans that
has special allowances, such as no down payment.
Q -
What is an "ARM"?
Top
A -
An Adjustable Rate Mortgage - the rate for
the loan will change (or adjust) on a regular basis after a set time
period.
Q -
What is a "Balloon" loan?
Top
A -
The rate on a Balloon Mortgage is fixed
for a set number of years, then the balance of the loan amount will be
due.
Q -
What does "Buydown" mean"?
Top
A -
Buydowns reduce the interest rate of a
mortgage either permanently, or for a temporary set time period.
Q -
What is a "Jumbo" loan?
Top
A - Jumbo refers to the size of the loan
amount. Currently, "jumbo" loan amounts exceed $275,000
Q -
What is a "Loan Commitment"?
Top
A -
A written approval for a specified loan
amount and payment, based on your current financial situation.