Construction Loan A short term interim loan for financing the cost of construction. The lender advances funds to the builder at periodic intervals as the work progresses. | |
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. | |
Jumbo Loan A loan which is larger than the limits set by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Jumbo loans cannot be funded by these two agencies, and usually carry a higher interest rate. A loan which is larger than $322,700. | |
Refinancing The process of paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan secured by the same property. The main reasons for refinancing is to better the borrower with a lower interest rates, loan term reduction, switch to or from a fixed or ARM loan, receive cash out, debt consolidation, or to eliminate a balloon payment. | |