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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. | |
Fixed-Rated Mortgage A mortgage on which the interest rate is set for the term of the loan. | |
Underwriting Underwriting involves an analysis of the borrower's creditworthiness (debts and assets, employment history, property evaluation, and other factors to determine an appropriate rate, term & loan amount. | |