Amortization
Gradual re-payment of a mortgage loan by means of partial payments on a regular basis.
Appraisal
An independent estimate of the property value by a certified appraiser on a specific date.
Bi-Weekly Payments
Bi-weekly payments speed up the repayment of your mortgage since you are making the equivalent of one extra monthly payment each year. We urge you to take full advantage of this plan.
Blended Payment Method
All monthly mortgage payments are identical, each being comprised of part principal and part interest on the outstanding debt for the chosen term. Early monthly payments by this method are mostly composed of interest, but as amortization progresses, payments will consist of less interest and more principal, and the later payments will be composed almost entirely of principal.
Cash Back Mortgage
For a cash back mortgage, the borrower will receive a cash back rebate equal to a certain percentage of the amount he or she borrows.
Commitment Letter
Based on the property appraisal and the borrower's ability to pay, the lender issues a commitment letter which sets out the terms, conditions and loan amount under which a lender is prepared to lend in the form of a mortgage.
Conventional Mortgage
Maximum loan to value ratio of 75% based on whichever is less: the purchase price or the appraised value. Mortgage loan insurance is not required for conventional mortgages.
High Ratio Mortgages
For a down payment of less than 25%, the loan to value ratio is greater than 75% and lenders will require mortgage insurance to protect against payment default. Your premium is based on the size of your down payment and house value.
Interest Adjustment
Interest calculated on a mortgage loan for the number of days between the closing date and the end of the month. Borrower will have to pay this interest adjustment amount on the closing date.
Joint Tenancy / Tenancy in Common
Under joint tenancy, the interest of the deceased automatically transfers to the survivor of the tenancy. Under Tenancy in Common, the interest of a deceased tenant's ownership transfers to heirs in accordance with the deceased’s last will and testament.
Portability
Remaining mortgage amount with the same interest rate is allowed to be transferred from the existing home to a new location. The borrower is required to pay the legal fees to transfer the mortgage.
Prepayment Option
The borrower has the privilege to prepay any part or all of the outstanding balance of a mortgage prior to maturity.
Rate Commitment
The duration of time a lender is prepared to hold the committed mortgage rate for you.
Realty Tax Holdback
If you choose the option to pay the property tax installments with your monthly mortgage payments, on closing date, your lender will hold back the necessary funds to cover the current year's property taxes which are owing.
Variable (Adjustable) Rate Mortgage
The interest rate changes during the term of the loan in response to changes in the prime lending rate. The rate is equal to the prime lending rate at any point in time minus a constant spread. Borrowers are usually charged a slightly lower interest rate as an incentive during the initial period of the term. In most cases, the borrowers are allowed to convert to a fixed term of 3 years or longer.