Hamilton Real Esatte Glossary of Terms

Glossary of terms to help home buyers and house sellers understand

Understanding the terms that are used in real estate transactions will help make the home buying and selling process easier.

AMORTIZATION PERIOD:
The actual number of years it will take to pay back your mortgage loan.

APPRAISED VALUE:
An estimate of the value of the property. Conducted for the purpose of mortgage lending by a certified appraiser. This appraisal is not to be confused with a building inspection, or comparative market analysis.

ASSUMABILITY:
Allows the buyer to take over the seller's mortgage on the property.

CLOSED MORTGAGE:
A mortgage that locks you into a specific payment schedule. A penalty usually applies if you repay the loan in full before the end of a closed term.

CONDOMINIUM:
The owner has title to a single unit, as well as a share in the common elements such as elevators or surrounding land.

CONDOMINIUM FEE;
A common payment among owners which is allocated to pay expenses.

CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE:

A mortgage loan issued for up to 75% of the property's appraised value or purchase price, whichever is less.

DOWN PAYMENT:
The buyer's cash payment toward the property. The difference between the purchase price and the amount of the mortgage loan.

EQUITY:
The difference between the home's selling value and the debts against it.

HIGH-RATIO MORTGAGE:
A mortgage that exceeds 75% of the home's appraised value. These mortgages must be insured for payment.

INTEREST RATE:
The value charged by the lender for the use of the lender's money. Expressed as a percentage.

LAND TRANSFER TAX, DEED TAX, OR PROPERTY PURCHASE TAX:

A fee paid to the municipal and/or provincial government for the transferring of property from seller to buyer.

MATURITY DATE:
The end of the term, at which time you can pay off the mortgage or renew it.

MORTGAGEE:
The person or financial institution that lends the money.

MORTGAGOR:

The borrower.

MORTGAGE INSURANCE:

Applies to high-ratio mortgages. It protects the lender against loss if the borrower is unable to repay the mortgage.

MORTGAGE LIFE INSURANCE:
Pays off the mortgage if the borrower dies.

OPEN MORTGAGE:
Allows partial or full payment of the principal at any time, without penalty.

PORTABILITY:
A mortgage option that enables borrowers to take their current mortgage with them to another property, without penalty.

PRE-APPROVED MORTGAGE:
Qualifies you for a mortgage before you start shopping. You know exactly how much you can spend.

PREPAYMENT PRIVILEGES:
Voluntary payments in addition to regular mortgage payments.

PRINCIPAL:
The amount borrowed or still owing on a mortgage loan. Interest is paid on the principal amount.

REFINANCING:
Paying off the existing mortgage and arranging a new one or re-negotiating the terms and conditions of an existing mortgage.

TERM:

The length of time the interest rate is fixed. It also indicates when the principal balance becomes due and payable to the lender.

TITLE:

Legal ownership in a property.

VARIABLE-RATE MORTGAGE:

A mortgage with fixed payments, but fluctuates with interest rates. The changing interest rate determines how much of the payment goes towards the principal.

VENDOR TAKE-BACK MORTGAGE:

When the seller provides some or all of the mortgage financing in order to sell their property.