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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. | |
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. | |
Home Equity Loan A type of loan that allows homeowners to acquire a loan in addition to their original mortgage/lien using a portion or all of the equity in their home (primary residence). A home equity loan is a generally a second mortgage on the subject property and may be used for any personal needs (i.e., college education, debt consolidation, home improvement, etc). | |
V.A. Mortgage Funding Fee A premium assed to the VA borrower in lieu of mortgage insurance. First time VA borrowers have a 3% funding fee included in their loan. When the VA borrower sells their home and uses their VA rights on a new home, the funding fee is 2%. VA borrowers refinancing their home, have a half percent funding fee in their mortgage. Disabled Veterans are not burdened with the funding fee. | |