Mortgage Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Agreement of Purchase and Sales
The legal contract a purchaser and a seller go into. We recommend that you have your offer prepared by a professional realtor that has the knowledge and experience to satisfactorily protect you with the most suitable clauses and conditions.
Amortization Period
The number of years it takes to repay the entire amount of the financing based on a set of fixed payments.
Appraisal
The process of determining the market value of a property.
Assets
What you own or can call upon. Often used in determining net worth or in securing financing.
Assumption Agreement
A legal document signed by a buyer that requires the buyer assume responsibility for the obligations of an existing mortgage. If someone assumes your mortgage, make sure that you get a release from the mortgage company to ensure that you are no longer liable for the debt.
B
Blended Payments
Equal payments consisting of both an interest and a principal component. Typically, while the payment amount does not change, the principal portion increases, while the interest portion decreases.
C
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
CMHC is a federal Crown corporation that administers the National Housing Act (NHA). Among other services, they also insure mortgages for lenders that are greater than 80% of the purchase price or value of the home. The cost of that insurance is paid for by the borrower and is generally added to the mortgage amount. These mortgages are often referred to as “Hi-Ratio” mortgages.
Closed Mortgage
A mortgage that cannot be prepaid or renegotiated for a set period of time without penalties.
Closing Costs
Closing costs can vary depending on your situation and may include appraisal fees, your legal fees, survey fees, and realtor commissions.
Closing Date
The date on which the new owner takes possession of the property and the sale becomes final.
Collateral
An asset, such as term deposit, Canada Savings Bond, or automobile, that you offer as security for a loan.
Conventional Mortgage
A mortgage up to 80% of the purchase price or the value of the property. A mortgage exceeding 80% is referred to as a “Hi-Ratio” mortgage and the lender will require insurance for that mortgage.
Credit Scoring
A system that assesses a borrower on a number of items, assigning points that are used to determine the borrower’s credit worthiness.
D
Demand Loan
A loan where the balance must be repaid upon request.
Deposit
A sum of money deposited in trust by the purchaser on making an offer to purchase. When the offer is accepted by the vendor (seller), the deposit is held in trust by the listing real estate broker, lawyer, or notary until the closing of the sale, at which point it is given to the vendor. If a house does not close because of the purchaser’s failure to comply with the terms set out in the offer, the purchaser forgoes the deposit, and it is given to the vendor as compensation for the breaking of the contract (the offer).
E
Equity
The difference between the market value of the property and any outstanding mortgages registered against the property. This difference belongs to the owner of that property.