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Closing costs
Closing costs are the total expenses that the buyer pays at the time a real estate transaction is completed. closing costs generally range between 3 and 6 percent of the home purchase price. With conventional loans, the following closing costs cannot be paid by the Seller for the Buyer: Pre-paid interest, Hazard insurance impounds, or Property tax impounds. |
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Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)
Federal law that requires lenders and other creditors to make credit equally available without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status or receipt of income from public assistance programs. |
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Interest-only payments
Mortgage payments that include only interest. No loan amortization occurs and, thus, the homeowner does not accrue any equity (unless the home value increases). |
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VA Loan (Veterans Affairs)
These loans are made by a lender, such as a mortgage company, savings and loan or bank. VA's guaranty on the loan protects the lender against loss if the payments are not made, and is intended to encourage lenders to offer veterans loans with more favorable terms. The amount of guaranty on the loan depends on the loan amount and whether the veteran used some entitlement previously. With the current maximum guaranty, a veteran who hasn't previously used the benefit may be able to obtain a VA loan up to $240,000 depending on the borrower's income level and the appraised value of the property. The local VA office can provide more details on guaranty and entitlement amounts. Formerly referred to as G.I. guaranteed mortgage |
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