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Annual Percentage Rate (A.P.R.)
The actual cost of a mortgage loan expressed as a yearly rate. The APR will be higher than the interest rate stated on the application and note because it includes fees such as: interest, discount points, origination fee, mortgage insurance and other related fees. The truth in lending act requires lenders to disclose an APR to assist the borrower in measuring the actual cost of a loan. |
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Debt ratio or Debt-to-Income Ratio
The ratio, expressed as a percentage, is calculated by dividing the monthly payment of long-term debts by gross monthly income. |
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Home Owners Association (HOA)
A nonprofit organization that manages the common areas and services of a planned unit development or condominium project. In a condominium project it has no ownership interest in the common areas; in a planned unit development it holds title to common areas. |
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Points
Points are also called discount points, mortgage points, loan discount points, loan origination fees, or maximum loan charges. Points are prepaid interest assessed at closing by the lender and or the broker. A point is equal to 1 percent of the loan amount. Lenders consider mortgage points as interest that you pay in advance. As a result, the more points you pay when you close the loan, the lower your interest rate. The IRS considers points to be a form of prepaid interest. Discount fees are totally tax deductible for the year the loan is closed for tax purposes, while origination points are tax deductible over two years (half for the year the loan is closed, and half in the year following). |
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