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Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
A mortgage whose interest rate changes over time based on an index and a margin. Rate changes are made at prescribed times and within prescribed limits (caps) as defined in the mortgage contract. |
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Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
An agency of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It insures residential mortgage loans made by private lenders. FHA also sets standards for underwriting mortgages. |
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Origination Fee
The fee charged by a lender to prepare loan documents, make credit checks, inspect and sometimes appraise a property; usually computed as a percentage of the face value of the loan. Origination fees are paid by the lender or included in the loan as part of the closing costs. Lender's can also charge an origination fee to the borrower, when funding the mortgage with a table lending mortgage broker. Origination fees are considered tax deductible points. |
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Two-Step Mortgage
A mortgage in which the borrower receives a below-market interest rate for a specified number of years (commonly seven or 10 years). At the end of the 10 years for example, the interest rate is adjusted (within certain limits) to market conditions at that time. The lender sometimes has the option to call the loan due with 30 days notice at the end of seven or 10 years. also called Super Seven or Premier mortgage. |
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