The internet is one resource you should take advantage of by doing your own research. It is a great way to check the current mortgage rates, search for home prices, look to see which lender offers the best rates, apply for a loan, or find a real estate agent.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), during 2005 nearly 77% of all households used the Internet to conduct their housing search. These sites were primarily used to:

1. Research home listings

2. Learn more about a specific area

3. Find out more about a real estate agent

4. Apply for a loan

It used to be, when a home was listed for sale by an agent it would appear in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The sales agent would research the MLS to find a home that met your requirements (e.g., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, swimming pool with a patio, etc.). Once found, you and your agent would look together at potential home sites.

Now, by using websites you can save time and money by doing your own investigative work online. Using their search criteria tools, you can specify an exact geographic area, the minimum and maximum amount you're able to pay, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you require, and other requirements.

Once retrieved from a database of over 2 million homes, you can view a photograph of the property, the square footage, get a detailed description of the property features, and even take a virtual tour of the property inside and out -- all without actually stepping foot into the home.

You can also shop around for local rates to pick the best lender for you. Each lender details their fees so you can see exactly what they charge. During your lender selection, make sure the monthly payment quoted meets your budget. If not, discuss other options you are more comfortable with.

Using lenders online can save you time on the application process. Completing the application on your own gives you the flexibility to work at your own pace and access documents you might otherwise forget to bring when you meet with the loan officer. Since rates vary from state to state, make sure that the lender complies with Federal and State laws so that they are authorized to operate in your state.

Borrowers have may choices when shopping for the right lender. Choices include banks, mortgage brokers, home builders, and internet lenders. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and rates vary from lender to lender.

Typically, most lenders do not keep money on hand but instantly sell conforming loans to third parties like the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). The most common source of home lending is a retail financial institution or credit union. They offer specific loan products and handle their own direct financing by taking consumer deposits and lending them to home buyers. Compare mortgage rates.

Mortgage brokers, on the other hand, act as the middleman and don't fund the loans themselves, but handle the mortgage financing for the borrower. Most earn their fees directly as a percentage from the lender and some from the borrower, or a combination of both. Since mortgage brokers have access to a wide variety of lenders they are usually on top of the latest rates, fees and lending practices.

Home builder financing is common in new developments where there is a single builder. The builder carries the construction costs until the homes are built. The builder works with a lender to set-up financing for the buyer and finances the construction costs. The buyer doesn't make mortgage payments until the property is finished.

The popularity of finding a mortgage on the Internet has grown in recent years. Many lenders offer competitive rates and the convenience of tracking your application through the approval process. Some can save you a significant amount in closing costs since everything is automated and the time to get approved can be shortened.

Acceleration Clause
A provision in a mortgage that gives the lender the right to demand payment of the entire principal balance if a monthly payment is missed.

Acceptance
An offeree’s consent to enter into a contract and be bound by the terms of the offer.

Adjustable-rate Mortgage (ARM)
A mortgage that permits the lender to adjust its interest rate periodically on the basis of changes in a specified index

Adjustment Date
The date on which the interest rate changes for an adjustable-rate mortgage

Adjustment Period
The period that elapses between the adjustment dates for an adjustable-rate mortgage.

Amortization
Number of fixed payments or years it takes to repay the entire amount of the mortgage loan.

Amortization Schedule
A timetable for payment of a mortgage loan. An amortization schedule shows the amount of each payment applied to interest and principal and shows the remaining balance after each payment is made.

Appraisal
A written analysis of the estimated value of a property prepared by a qualified appraiser.

Appraised Value
An opinion of a property's fair market value, based on an appraiser's knowledge, experience, and analysis of the property.

Appreciation
An increase in the value of a property due to changes in market conditions or other causes. The opposite of depreciation.

Assessed Value
The valuation placed on property by a public tax assessor for purposes of taxation.

Asset
Anything of monetary value that is owned by a person. Assets include real property, personal property, and enforceable claims against others (including bank accounts, stocks, mutual funds, and so on).

Assignment
The transfer of a mortgage from one person to another.

Assumable Mortgage
A mortgage that can be taken over ("assumed") by the buyer when a home is sold. More

Assumption Agreement
A legal document signed by a home buyer which requires the buyer to assume responsibility for the obligations of a mortgage made by a former owner.

Bi-weekly Accelerated Payments
Payments are exactly half of a monthly payment amount, collected every two weeks, on the same day of the week. More aggressive than semi-monthly.

Bi-weekly Payments
A mortgage that requires payments to reduce the debt every two weeks (instead of the standard monthly payment schedule). The 26 (or possibly 27) biweekly payments are each equal to one-half of the monthly payment that would be required if the loan were a standard 25-year fixed-rate mortgage. The result for the borrower is a substantial savings in interest.

Blended Payments
Equal payments consisting of both a principal and an interest component, paid each month during the term of the mortgage. The principal portion increases each month, while the interest portion decreases, but the total monthly payment does not change.

Building Code
Local regulations that control design, construction, and materials used in construction. Building codes are based on safety and health standards.

Cap
A provision of an adjustable-rate mortgage that limits how much the interest rate or mortgage payments may increase or decrease.

Capital Expenditure
The cost of an improvement made to extend the useful life of a property or to add to its value.

Capital Improvement
Any structure or component erected as a permanent improvement to real property that adds to its value and useful life.

Certificate of Title
A statement provided by an abstract company, title company, or attorney stating that the title to real estate is legally held by the current owner.

Chattel
Another name for personal property.

Closed Mortgage
A mortgage which cannot be prepaid, renegotiated or refinanced.

Closing
A meeting at which a sale of a property is finalized by the buyer signing the mortgage documents and paying closing costs. Also called "settlement."

Closing Costs
closing costs Expenses (over and above the price of the property) incurred by buyers and sellers in transferring ownership of a property. Closing costs normally include an origination fee, an attorney's fee, taxes, an amount placed in escrow, and charges for obtaining title insurance and a survey. Closing costs percentage will vary according to the area of the country; lenders or realtors often provide estimates of closing costs to prospective homebuyers.

Commission
The fee charged by a broker or agent for negotiating a real estate or loan transaction. A commission is generally a percentage of the price of the property or loan.

Compound Interest
Interest paid on the original principal balance and on the accrued and unpaid interest.

Conditional Offer
An offer to buy a property if certain conditions are met.

Condominium
A real estate project in which each unit owner has title to a unit in a building, an undivided interest in the common areas of the project, and sometimes the exclusive use of certain limited common areas

Contingency
A condition that must be met before a contract is legally binding. For example, home purchasers often include a contingency that specifies that the contract is not binding until the purchaser obtains a satisfactory home inspection report from a qualified home inspector.

Conventional Mortgage
A mortgage loan which does not exceed 75% of the appraised value or purchase price of the property, whichever is the lesser of the two. Mortgages that exceed this limit must be insured.

Convertible mortgage
A provision in some adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) that allows the borrower to change the ARM to a fixed-rate mortgage at specified timeframes after loan origination.

Debt-service Ratio
The percentage of the borrower's gross income that will be used for monthly payments of principal, interest, taxes, space heating costs and condominium fees.

Default
Non-payment of the installments due under the terms of the mortgage(s).

Depreciation
A decline in the value of property; the opposite of appreciation.

Discharge
The removal of all mortgages and financial encumbrances on a property.

Down Payment
The part of the purchase price of a property that the buyer pays in cash and does not finance with a mortgage.

Easement
A right of way giving persons other than the owner access to or over a property.

Effective Interest Rate
The real rate of interest after the effects of compounding are included. More frequent compounding adds up to a higher effective rate.

Encroachment
An improvement that intrudes illegally on another’s property.

Encumbrance
Anything that affects or limits the free simple title to a property, such as mortgages, leases, easements, or restrictions.

Equity
A homeowner's financial interest in a property. Equity is the difference between the fair market value of the property and the amount still owed on its mortgage.

Escrow
An item of value, money, or documents deposited with a third party to be delivered upon the fulfillment of a condition. For example, the deposit by a borrower with the lender of funds to pay taxes and insurance premiums when they become due, or the deposit of funds or documents with an attorney or escrow agent to be disbursed upon the closing of a sale of real estate.

Examination of Title
The report on the title of a property from the public records or an abstract of the title.

Exclusive Listing
A written contract that gives a licensed real estate agent the exclusive right to sell a property for a specified time, but reserving the owner’s right to sell the property alone without the payment of a commission.

Fair Market Value
The highest price that a buyer, willing but not compelled to buy, would pay, and the lowest a seller, willing but not compelled to sell, would accept.

Firm Commitment
A lender’s agreement to make a loan to a specific borrower on a specific property.

First Mortgage
A mortgage that is the primary lien against a property.

Fixed Installment
The monthly payment due on a mortgage loan. The fixed installment includes payment of both principal and interest.

Fixed-rate Mortgage (FRM)
A mortgage in which the interest rate does not change during the entire term of the loan.

Fixture
Personal property that becomes real property when attached in a permanent manner to real estate.

Flood Insurance
Insurance that compensates for physical property damage resulting from flooding. It is required for properties located in federally designated flood areas.

Foreclosure
The legal process by which a borrower in default under a mortgage is deprived of his or her interest in the mortgaged property. This usually involves a forced sale of the property at public auction with the proceeds of the sale being applied to the mortgage debt

Gross Debt Service Ratio
The percentage of gross annual income required to cover payments associated with housing (mortgage principal and interest, taxes and secondary financing). Most lenders prefer that the GDS be no more than 32%.

High Ratio Mortgage
If you don’t have the 25% required for a down payment, as is the case with a conventional mortgage, your mortgage must be insured against payment default to a certain maximum by CMHC or an approved private insurer. A high-ratio mortgage is a loan in excess of 75% of the lending value of the property.

Home Equity Line of Credit
A mortgage loan, which is usually in a subordinate position, that allows the borrower to obtain multiple advances of the loan proceeds at his or her own discretion, up to an amount that represents a specified percentage of the borrower's equity in a property.

Home Inspection
A thorough inspection that evaluates the structural and mechanical condition of a property. A satisfactory home inspection is often included as a contingency by the purchaser. Contrast with appraisal.

Income Property
Real estate developed or improved to produce income.

Initial Interest Rate
The original interest rate of the mortgage at the time of closing. This rate changes for an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). Sometimes known as "start rate" or "teaser."

Installment
The regular periodic payment that a borrower agrees to make to a lender.

Joint Tenancy
A form of co-ownership that gives each tenant equal interest and equal rights in the property, including the right of survivorship.

Jumbo Mortgage
A mortgage involving an initial outstanding balance more than $417,000.

Lease
A written agreement between the property owner and a tenant that stipulates the conditions under which the tenant may possess the real estate for a specified period of time and rent.

Lien
A legal claim against a property that must be paid off when the property is sold.

Line of Credit
An agreement by a commercial bank or other financial institution to extend credit up to a certain amount for a certain time to a specified borrower.

Lock-in
A written agreement in which the lender guarantees a specified interest rate if a mortgage goes to closing within a set period of time. The lock-in also usually specifies the number of points to be paid at closing.

Lock-in Period
The time period during which the lender has guaranteed an interest rate to a borrower.

Margin
For an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), the amount that is added to the index to establish the interest rate on each adjustment date, subject to any limitations on the interest rate change.

Maturity
The date on which the principal balance of a loan, bond, or other financial instrument becomes due and payable.

Mortgage Insurance Premium
A premium which is added to the mortgage and paid by the borrower over the life of the mortgage. The mortgage insurance insures the lender against loss in case of default by the borrower.

Mortgage Life Insurance
A form of reducing term insurance recommended for the borrower. In the event of the death of the owner or one of the owners, the insurance pays the balance owing on the mortgage. The intent is to protect survivors from losing their home.

Mortgage Loan Insurance
For high-ratio mortgages, lenders require mortgage loan insurance. The insurance premium will generally cost between 0.5% and 3.75% of the amount of the mortgage (additional charges may apply).

Mortgagee
The lender.

Mortgagor
The borrower.

Negative Amortization
A gradual increase in mortgage debt that occurs when the monthly payment is not large enough to cover the entire principal and interest due. The amount of the shortfall is added to the remaining balance to create "negative" amortization.

Notice of Default
A formal written notice to a borrower that a default has occurred and that legal action may be taken.

Open Mortgage
A mortgage which can be prepaid at any time, without penalty.

Original Principal Balance
The total amount of principal owed on a mortgage before any payments are made.

Origination Fee
A fee paid to a lender for processing a loan application. The origination fee is stated in the form of points. One point is 1 percent of the mortgage amount.

Owner Financing
A property purchase transaction in which the property seller provides all or part of the financing.

P.I. (Principal & Interest)
Principal and interest due on a mortgage.

P.l.T. (Principal, Interest, & Taxes)
Principal, interest and taxes due on a mortgage.

Payment Change Date
The date when a new monthly payment amount takes effect on an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). Generally, the payment change date occurs in the month immediately after the adjustment date.

Penalty
A sum of money paid to a lender for the privilege of prepaying a mortgage in part or in full.

Pre-approved Mortgage
Preliminary approval by the lender of the borrower’s application for a mortgage to a certain maximum amount and rate.

Pre-qualification
The process of determining how much money a prospective home buyer will be eligible to borrow before he or she applies for a loan.

Prepayment
Any amount paid to reduce the principal balance of a loan before the due date. Payment in full on a mortgage that may result from a sale of the property, the owner's decision to pay off the loan in full, or a foreclosure. In each case, prepayment means payment occurs before the loan has been fully amortized.

Prepayment Option
The right to prepay specified amounts of the principal balance. Penalty interest may be incurred on prepayment options.

Prepayment Penalty
A fee that may be charged to a borrower who pays off a loan before it is due.

Prime Rate
The interest rate that banks charge to their preferred customers. Changes in the prime rate influence changes in other rates, including mortgage interest rates.

Principal
The amount you still owe the lender at any time.

Purchase and Sale Agreement
A written contract signed by the buyer and seller stating the terms and conditions under which a property will be sold

Qualifying Ratios
Calculations that are used in determining whether a borrower can qualify for a mortgage. They consist of two separate calculations: a housing expense as a percent of income ratio and total debt obligations as a percent of income ratio. See Gross Debt Service Ratio.

Quitclaim Deed
A deed that transfers without warranty whatever interest or title a grantor may have at the time the conveyance is made

Rate (interest)
The return the lender receives for loaning you the money for the mortgage.

Recission
The cancellation or annulment of a transaction or contract by the operation of a law or by mutual consent. Borrowers usually have the option to cancel a refinance transaction within three business days after it has closed.

Refinance Transaction
The process of paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan using the same property as security.

Right of First Refusal
A provision in an agreement that requires the owner of a property to give another party the first opportunity to purchase or lease the property before he or she offers it for sale or lease to others.

Roll-over Mortgage
A mortgage loan where the interest rate is established for a specific term. At the end of this term the mortgage is said to "roll over" and the borrower and lender may agree to extend to loan. If satisfactory terms cannot be agreed upon, the lender is entitled to be repaid in full. In this case, the borrower may seek alternative financing.

Second Mortgage
This is usually at a higher interest rate and represents the difference between the price of the house and first mortgage plus the down payment. This may be obtained from banks and finance companies or through lawyers or notaries.

Semi-monthly Payments
Payments are taken twice a month, usually on the 1st and the 15th. Payments are one half of the monthly amount. Less aggressive at attacking principle than a bi-weekly payment method.

Survey
A drawing or map showing the precise legal boundaries of a property, the location of improvements, easements, rights of way, encroachments, and other physical features.

Term
In a mortgage, "term" is the actual length of time for which the money is loaned, at that particular rate of interest. After the term expires, you can either repay the balance of the principal then owing or renegotiate the mortgage at current rates and conditions.

Title
A legal document evidencing a person's right to or ownership of a property

Title Insurance
Insurance that protects the lender (lender's policy) or the buyer (owner's policy) against loss arising from disputes over ownership of a property.

Title Search
A check of the title records to ensure that the seller is the legal owner of the property and that there are no liens or other claims outstanding.

Trustee
A fiduciary who holds or controls property for the benefit of another.

Underwriting
The process of evaluating a loan application to determine the risk involved for the lender. Underwriting involves an analysis of the borrower's creditworthiness and the quality of the property itself.

Underwriting Fees
A sum of money collected by some lenders to offset expenses incurred in the lending transaction.

Unsecured Loan
A loan that is not backed by collateral.

Variable Rate Mortgage (Floating Rate)
A mortgage where payments can be fixed from one to five years, but the interest rate could change from month to month depending on market conditions. If interest rates go down, the monthly principal is reduced; if rates go up, the monthly payments might not cover the interest owing and payments may be increased for the next term. Most variable rate mortgages allow prepayment of any amount (with certain minimums) on any monthly payment date and usually without penalty.

Vendor Financing (Balance of Sale)
The seller sometimes takes the mortgage at a rate lower than market rates. Most of these arrangements are not renewable nor transferable to the next owner.

Vendor-Take-Back
When the vendor (seller) of a property provides some or all of the mortgage financing in order to sell the property

Weekly Accelerated Payments
Same as bi-weekly accelerated. Your payments will be one quarter of your normal monthly payment. More aggressive than simple weekly payments as sometimes there are 5 weeks in the month and you will have 5 payments in that month. This will happen at least 4 times a year.

Mortgage rates differ substantially based on the location of the property and the type of product selected. What follows are therefore indicative rates only. They are just some of the most interesting rates for different mortgage products that are listed and marketed on the internet.

Indicative Mortgage Rates - Updated July 27, 2007

30-Year Fixed Rate Jumbo* Mortgages:

15-Year Jumbo* Mortgages:

* All rates considered here are jumbo rates, ie., rates for over $417,000. Rates for lower amounts may be slightly more competitive.

** Closing Costs may differ dramatically based on property location.

For further info on choosing the best mortgage product, please click here.

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For further assistance with mortgage terminology, please click here.

Several different types of mortgages are offered on the marketplace.

Amortizing vs. Interest Only (Non-Amortizing): An increasingly popular option, especially among first-time buyers, is to choose non-amortizing, interest only mortgages. According to the terms of these mortgages, the borrower pays only the interest on the principal each month no more (and therefore does not pay pay down the mortgage principal). BestCashCow.com believes that many buyers are using these mortgages to stretch their financial means too thin. Since the outstanding mortgage principal is never reduced, the borrower's ability to build equity in their home is limited to the appreciation in value of their home before they sell it. Interest only mortgages are a very risky proposition if you believe as many do that there is a real estate bubble since a decline in the value of the home could leave the homeowner with negative equity in their home.

Fully Amortizing vs. Balloon: A fully amortizing mortgage involves payments of principal that are geared or scheduled so that the entire principal balance will be paid off at the end of the mortgage. A mortgage that is not fully amortizing may involve a part of the monthly payment each month attributable to paying down principal (or may not - see Interest Only Mortgages above), but not completely pay off the mortgage by the end of the mortgage term. Instead, they leave the borrower with a balloon, or one time payment, that they need to make in order to extinguish the outstanding liability associated wit the mortgage at the end of the mortgage term. Borrowers cannot be certain of the availability of new lending sources and rates and the end of the term; and they also want to avoid additional closing costs. Therefore, BestCashCow.com advises homeowners to purchase fully amortizing mortgages unless they anticipate having the means to pay off the balloon and the end of the mortgage term or do not plan to live in the home until the end of the term.

Terms: Mortgages terms may vary. Fully amortizing short-term mortgages are appropriate for borrowers that have the ability to make larger payments, thus accelerating the amortization and building equity more quickly. Long-term mortgages are more suitable for borrowers wanting the security of budgeting for the future who plan to live in their homes for long periods.

Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) vs. Fixed Rate: A borrower can choose a fixed or variable interest rate. A fixed rate mortgage allows the borrower certainty on the payment amount for the full term of the mortgage—amortizing mortgages are usually from 15 to 40 years. The initial fixed rate period under an ARM is followed by adjustment intervals. For example, a "3/1 ARM" is fixed at an initial low rate for the first 3 years, and then adjusts every year based on an index (Fed Funds Rate, CPI, LIBOR, etc). Common ARMs are: 1/1, 3/1, 5/1, 7/1, and 10/1. ARMs are often offered at substantially lower rates than fixed rate mortgages for their initial fixed period. Unlike fixed rate mortgages, these mortgages can climb sharply immediately thereafter. These mortgages are ideal for borrowers who do not intent to live in their homes for a period exceeding the fixed period or for borrowers who intend to have the ability to pay off the mortgage at the end of the fixed period. Borrowers intending to live in their homes for longer periods and who will not have the means to pay off the an ARM should the rate rise dramatically are usually better served to lock into fixed rate mortgages.

Closed vs. Open Mortgages: So-called closed mortgages may offer very slightly lower interest rates than open mortgages of the same term, but they have terms limiting the borrowers ability to pre-pay or pay down the mortgage balance. Open mortgages allow the borrower the flexibility to pay off as much as you want, any time, without penalty. Many states have legislation forbidding closed mortgages. BestCashCow.com recommends that they be avoided even where available.

Conventional vs. high-ratio mortgages: A conventional mortgage equals no more than 75% of the appraised value or purchase price of the property, whichever is less. A high-ratio mortgage is usually for more than 75% of the appraised value or purchase price. High ratio mortgages are often referred to as an NHA mortgage because it is granted under the provisions of the National Housing Act and must, by law, be insured through CMHC for which the borrower pays the insurance premium as well as application, legal and property appraisal fees. Purchasers of condomium or cooperative apartments are often required by board management to purchase conventional mortgages (i.e., to own at least 25% equity in their homes at purchase).

Assumable vs. Non-Assumable Mortgages: Assumable mortgages are relatively rare. A homeowner with an assumable loan can "hand off" the loan to a buyer instead of paying it off using proceeds from the home sale. If rates are low and you can get one, by all means do so. If rates rise, buyers will want to assume your loan (and might be willing to pay more for your house) because it will be much cheaper than any loan they could get from a bank or other source.

Portable vs. Non-Portable Mortgages: Traditionally in the U.S., a mortgage must be repaid upon sale of the mortgaged property (i.e., it is not portable). In Canada, the UK and elsewhere, some mortgages are portable and may be taken transferred by a borrower from a home that is sold to a home that is purchased. In the U.S., E*TRADE briefly introduced and then removed the portable mortgage from the marketplace. Portable mortgages place the risk of interest rate hikes squarely on the lending bank. Therefore, portable mortgages would be a very interesting product for those likely to move often who are seeking to lock in historically low interest rates over long periods of time, allowing them to transfer the balance when they move.

Once you've understood the options available, check out rates on different mortgage products.

If you need help understanding mortgage products or terms, please visit BestCashCow.com's section on Financial Terminology.

401k

- A tax-deferred savings account made available by an employer which allows employees to set aside income for retirement. In some cases, the employer may match contributions to a certain limit.

Adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs)

- A mortgage with a rate of interest that may adjust based on various indexes, such as the Treasury Bill rate or the prime rate.

Administration fee

- A fee imposed to cover the administrative portion of settling a loan.

Affordability calculator

- One of many calculators on the Internet which measures how much home a person can afford.

Agent fee(s)

- A fee imposed by the real estate agent for providing the buyer with realty services.

Amortization

- The process of regular repayments at scheduled intervals to reduce the principal and repay interest as it is due.

Annual percentage rate (APR)

-The cost of a loan expressed as a yearly rate, which includes the interest rate, points, broker fees, insurance, and any other related fees a borrower is required to pay.

Application fee

- A fee charged by the lender to cover the cost of processing a loan request and checking the borrower's credit.

Appraisal

- A documented estimate of a property's market value by a qualified appraiser.

Appraisal fee

- The fee an appraiser charges to assess the property value of a home.

Appreciation

- The increase in value of a home over time.

Balloon

- A final lump sum mortgage payment due in full after a set period of time.

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

- A national member organization that addresses marketplace problems through voluntary self-regulation and consumer education.

Borrower(s)

A person who borrows money from a lender.

Broker(s)

- The intermediary between borrowers and lenders used for loan origination, and earns a commission for doing so. They do not originate or service the mortgage, but they may negotiate with lenders to find the best possible financing for the borrower.

Buyer(s) agent

- The real estate agent who represents the buyer in a sales transaction and owes fiduciary duties to the buyer.

Carry-back mortgage

- A financing arrangement where the seller holds a second trust deed or mortgage on the property to allow the buyer to buy the property.

Closing costs

- Fees and expenses (separate and in addition to the purchase price of the property) incurred in the process of transferring ownership of property. May also be called settlement costs.

Commission

- The amount a real estate broker earns (usually 3-6% of the sales price of a home) for selling a home.

Conforming

- A loan that conforms to the standard rules for purchase by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.

Constant Maturity Treasury (CMT)

- Weekly average of quotes on Treasury securities with same time remaining time to maturity that is frequently used as mortgages index.

Construction cost(s)

- The amount it costs to finance the construction of a property.

Conversion fee

- The fee charged to convert an adjustable rate mortgage to a fixed-rate loan.

Credit history

- A borrower's record of repaying loans and use of revolving credit. Used by lenders to assess applicant's creditworthiness.

Credit report

- A report issued by a credit reporting agency containing a person's credit history, public records (including bankruptcy, tax liens, etc) and recent inquiries.

Credit score(s)

See FICO score.

Credit union

- A not-for-profit cooperative financial institution that is owned and operated by its members. Federally chartered credit unions are regulated and insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

Debt ratio(s)

- A number that measures how much of an individual's income is solely devoted to repaying debt. Frequently considered by lenders when evaluating a person's creditworthiness. Calculated by dividing monthly debts owed by monthly income. Also referred to as debt-to-income ratio.

Discount broker

- A broker who discount his/her commission fees to buy or sell your property.

Document preparation

- The process of preparing closing documents for a mortgage.

Down payment

- A portion of the purchase price paid in cash up front, reducing the total among of the loan.

Equity

- The current market value of a property minus what is owed.

Escrow

- An account held by a lender into which a homeowner pays for taxes and insurance.

Escrow agent

- The person or company which handles the distribution of escrow funds.

FICO Score

- A credit score developed by the Fair Issac Corporation used to determine a borrower's level of risk.

Fannie Mae (FNMA)

- The Federal National Mortgage Association is a public company that operates under a federal charter. As the nation's largest source of financing for home mortgages, Fannie Mae does not lend money directly to consumers, but instead works to ensure that mortgage funds are available and affordable, by purchasing mortgage loans from institutions that lend directly to consumers.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

- The Federal Housing Administration is a United States government agency which insures loans made by approved lenders to qualified borrowers, in accordance with its regulations.

Finance charge(s)

- The cost of credit, including interest, paid by a borrower for a loan. In accordance with the Truth in Lending Act, all finance charges must be disclosed to the borrower in advance.

Fixed rate loan

- A mortgage with a constant rate of interest over the life of the loan.

Flat fee

- A set management fee which does not change or fluctuate.

Flood certificate

- Insurance coverage for homes that are in known flood areas.

Freddie Mac

- The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, also known as Freddie Mac, is a congressionally chartered institution that buys mortgages from lenders and resells them as securities on the secondary mortgage market.

Government loan

- A mortgage that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Mortgages that are not government loans are classified as conventional loans.

Hazard insurance

- Property insurance covering a borrower's home against losses from fire, certain natural disasters, vandalism, and malicious mischief. Mortgage lenders require hazard insurance coverage before closing a loan. Typically maintained through regular mortgage payments.

Home builder(s)

- A construction company or general contractor who builds homes.

Home improvement

- Any interior or exterior projects which improve the overall appearance of an existing home.

Homeowner's association fees

- Fees paid by homeowners who live in a common property development and share amenities like grounds maintenance, swimming pool upkeep, use of the community room, etc.

Index

- A published cost of money measurement that lenders use to calculate the rate on a mortgage (e.g., T-bill, LIBOR, CMT.)

Insurance

- Coverage against unforeseen property losses in exchange for premiums paid.

Interest rate

- A rate, frequently expressed as a annual percentage, that is charged or paid to borrow money.

Lease

- An agreement which specifies the terms for occupying a property.

Lease option

- An agreement which allows a borrower to purchase a property which is being leased from the lender at a predetermined price.

Lender(s)

- An individual or firm that extends money to a borrower with the expectation of being repaid, typically with interest.

Lien(s)

- A legal claim against a property that must be paid off when the property is sold before the title transfer can occur.

Lifetime cap

- The maximum interest rate on an adjustable rate mortgage that may be charged at any time over the life of the mortgage.

Loan-to-value (LTV) ratio

- The amount of a mortgage loan divided by the appraised value or sales price.

Loan officer

- The person at a lending institution who solicits loans, acts as the representative for the lending institution, and represents the borrower at the lending institution.

Lock(ed)-in

- A quoted rate guaranteed by a lender for a specified period of time even if rates go up or down during the lock-in period.

Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR)

- An index used to determine interest rate changes for certain ARM plans, based on the average interest rate international banks charge each other for loans.

Low-interest

- A special rate which may be lower than the national average and for a specified period of time.

Margin

- The difference between the interest rate and the index on an adjustable rate mortgage.

Market price

- The price a property would be worth on the open market.

Mortgage

- A loan to finance a real estate purchase, typically with regular scheduled payments and specific interest rates. A lien on the property is typically used as collateral for the loan.

Mortgage broker(s)

- The intermediary between borrowers and lenders used for loan origination, and earns a commission for doing so. They do not originate or service the mortgage, but they may negotiate with lenders to find the best possible financing for the borrower.

Mortgage lender

- A lender who specializes in mortgages.

Mortgage payment

- The monthly payment amount owed to a lender which covers the principal and interest on a property.

Multiple Listing Service (MLS)

- A nationwide database of properties available for sale used by real estate agents.

National Board of Realtors

- A membership group for realtors also known as the National Association of Realtors, or NAR.

Non-conforming

- A loan which does not conform to the guidelines for mortgage backed securities that are purchased by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

Origination fee

- A fee charged by a lender to the borrower for processing a loan application. Frequently expressed as a percentage of the total mortgage amount.

Pest inspection

- An inspection required by a lending or government institution prior to lending money to a borrower to insure that a property is free from structural pest damage and decay.

Point(s)

- An upfront fee that a lender may charge a borrower for originating a loan. One point is equal to one percent of the loan amount.

Pre-approval

- A process by which a borrower is certified by a specific mortgage lender as being qualified and worthy of a certain type of loan with specific terms up to a specified amount. Actual loan closing will depend on the suitability and value of the collateral property, which is unspecified at the time of pre-approval.

Prepayment penalty

- A fee paid to a lender for the privilege of paying off a loan prior to maturity. Prepayment penalties are prohibited in many states and by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Prequalify

- A lender's opinion of how much a borrower may qualify for without filling out an application.

Principal and interest

- The actual mortgage amount and interest paid back to the lender in the form of monthly payments.

Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance (PITI)

- A term used by lenders or brokers to provide a total monthly payment which includes Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

- Insurance that is provided by a private mortgage insurance company to protect lenders against loss if a borrower defaults on a mortgage loan.

Processing fee

- A fee charged by the lender for the work required to process a loan.

Property maintenance

- The act of keeping a property presentable and livable.

Property tax(es)

- The tax paid on a property based on its assessed value.

Realtor

- A member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) who must follow a strict code of ethics and receive ongoing training from the NAR.

Real estate agent

- A licensed salesperson working for a real estate broker, who receives a portion of the sale price of a sold property as commission.

Recurring debt

- A debt obligation which appears month-to-month until the balance is paid in full.

Refinance

- Paying off an existing loan with the proceeds from a new one, usually of the same size and using the same property as collateral.

Recording fee

- A fee that is charged as part of the closing cost to record a home sale as a matter of public record.

Remaining balance

- The amount of principal left unpaid on a mortgage loan.

Rural Housing Service (RHS)

- An agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides financing to farmers and qualified borrowers who buy property in rural areas and are unable to obtain loans elsewhere.

Sales agent

- The agent who handles and shows the property to the buyer.

Sales agreement

- The contract signed by the lender and buyer specifying the terms of the sale.

Secondary market

- The market where mortgages are bought and sold by investors.

Seller

- The person who is listing a property for sale.

Settlement cost(s)

- All expenses related to transferring home ownership from the seller to the buyer. Also referred to as closing costs.

State Board of Realtors

- A membership group by state which belongs to the National Board of Realtors.

Sub-prime

- A class of mortgage loan that is offered to individuals with less than perfect credit.

Tax savings

- The amount a borrower can save by writing off the interest on a mortgage loan.

Teaser rate

- A special introductory rate on an adjustable rate mortgage which is below current market rates to entice borrowers.

Title

- The deed to a property.

Title company

- A company that assures that the title to the property is clear and free from liens.

Title examination

- The review of a property's title by the title company against public records.

Title insurance

- Insurance which protects a lender or buyer against property disputes.

Treasury bill (T-bill)

- Securities auctioned by the U.S. Government to help pay off its debt obligations.

Underwriting

- The process a lender uses to determine risk and whether or not to extend a loan to a borrower.

Zero-down

- When a lender requires no money for a down payment from a borrower.

Zoning restrictions

The rules and regulations used by municipalities which control the use of lands and buildings.

Copyright 2009, Informa Research Services, Inc. ("Informa"). While all attempts have been made to provide effective, verifiable information in this article, neither the author nor Informa assumes any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, or omissions. You should always seek the guidance of a licensed professional before making any major financial decisions.

Pre-qualification is preferable to pre-approved. Pre-qualification means that a lender has assessed and verified your income, assets, current debts, and credit score, and determined your ability to close the loan, your ability to re-pay the loan, and the size of loan they will lend to you. A pre-approval is a less rigorous review of your financial state than a pre-qualification; while a lender will assess your income and credit score, limited verification steps are normally taken.

In either case, your lender will provide you with a letter that you may share with your offer contract. Typically a pre-qualification letter can be completed in a matter of hours, although some lenders may take longer.

How Does Getting Pre-Qualified Benefit You?

· You will be able to shop with the confidence of knowing your exact price range.

· You can identify credit problems that can be addressed early in the lending process.

· You will typically have more negotiating power, as some sellers see more strength in offers from pre-qualified buyers.

· If you are self-employed or a commission-based buyer, pre-qualification can demonstrate financial backing if your income fluctuates more than those of salaried buyers.

· Pre-qualification gives first-time homebuyers the advantage of equalizing their offer with similar offers made by previous homeowners.

Other Pre-Qualification Facts?

· Pre-qualification is offered by most lenders, including at no cost.

· The pre-qualification process is not comprehensive and therefore is not guaranteed, nor is it considered any type of loan commitment. It simply shows that you’ve approached a lender who was serious about helping you determine what you can afford and will walk you through the process.

Why you should maintain a good FICO score

Derived from your credit history report, credit scores are based on points you receive for being a good borrower. The most common scoring system used for mortgage approvals is done by the Fair Issac Corporation (FICO), which accesses the three main credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.)

Credit scores can range from a low of 300 points to a high of 850. People with average credit usually score around 620, good credit at 660, and excellent credit above 740. People with higher credit scores more easily obtain mortgage loans and also are able to secure lower interest rates vs. those with lower scores.

Example

Let’s imagine a 30 year fixed mortgage of $300,000. Someone with a credit score of 740 or higher could get a loan at a 4.125% interest rate, and a monthly payment of $1454. Another person with a credit score of 660, however, would get a loan with a higher interest rate of 4.625% and a monthly payment of $1542, a monthly difference of $88 (or annual difference of $1056). Over the life of the loan, this person would pay $31,849 more in interest as compared to the person with a 740 credit score. Another person with a credit score of 620 or below would have an even higher rate and payment, if they were even able to get a mortgage loan.

How to get the best rate

A good strategy for securing the best rate would be to clean-up your credit report at least six months prior to applying for a mortgage loan. Anyone may obtain their credit report for free once a year from www.annualcreditreport.com. Maintaining a debt-to-income ratio of less than 36% could boost your score by as much as 10%. Lenders like to see a history of long-term credit and ability to pay off a loan over time. The goal of any loan applicant should be to make sure their credit report is as accurate and sound as possible.

After you are under contract on a new home, your lender will complete the full loan approval process, lock-in your interest rate for a specified period of time (usually 30 to 60 days), and provide you with an estimate of your closing costs and monthly payments.

Find the best mortgage rates.