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Buy-Down
When the lender and/or the home builder subsidized the mortgage by lowering the interest rate during the first few years of the loan. While the payments are initially low, they will increase when the subsidy expires. These are sometimes used to qualify borrowers for a loan amount that they would not otherwise qualify for but will be able to pay in subsequent years as their income increases. |
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Fannie Mae
A common term used in real estate finance taken from FNMA (Federal National Mortgage Association). It provides a market for government secured mortgages held by primary lenders and provides them with a ready market so as to permit a greater turnover of money for loans |
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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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Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
In the event that you do not have a 20 percent down payment, lenders will allow a smaller down payment - as low as 3 percent in some cases. With down payments below 20%, borrowers are usually required to carry private mortgage insurance depending on your loan's structure. Private Mortgage Insurance, is paid on all non-government-insured loans and whose equity is less than 20%. When you have accumulated 20% in equity, your lender may waive PMI at your request. FHA and VA loans have different insurance and guidelines; see Mortgage Insurance Premium for FHA loans. |
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