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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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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. |
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Monthly Housing Payment
Typically the total amount of principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI) paid each month on a mortgage loan. Many lenders and investors limit the monthly housing payment to 28% of the gross monthly income. |
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Two-Step Mortgage
A mortgage in which the borrower receives a below-market interest rate for a specified number of years (commonly seven or 10 years). At the end of the 10 years for example, the interest rate is adjusted (within certain limits) to market conditions at that time. The lender sometimes has the option to call the loan due with 30 days notice at the end of seven or 10 years. also called Super Seven or Premier mortgage. |
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