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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. | |
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. | |
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) A revolving line of credit secured on the equity in the mortgagor's house, usable for any purpose. | |
Shared Appreciation Mortgage (SAM) A mortgage in which a borrower receives a below-market interest rate in return for which the lender (or another investor such as a family member or other partner) receives a portion of the future appreciation in the value of the property. May also apply to mortgage where the borrowers shares the monthly principal and interest payments with another party in exchange for part of the appreciation. | |