A federal law that regulates the disclosure of
consumer credit reports by consumer/credit reporting agencies, and establishes
procedures for rectifying errors on individuals' credit records
Fair Housing Act
A federal law which prohibits discrimination in
housing based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status and
national origin
Fair market value
The highest price that a buyer, who is willing
but not required to buy, would pay for a piece of property or home, and the
lowest price that a seller, who is willing but not required to sell, would
accept
Fannie Mae
The Federal National Mortgage Association (also
FNMA), a private corporation which is federally chartered to provide financial
products and services that increase the availability and affordability of
housing, by purchasing mortgages from banks and other lending institutions; the
FNMA is the largest non-bank financial services company in the world, as well
as the largest resource for financing of home mortgages in the
U.S.
Farmer's Home Administration
(FmHA)
A federal agency that provides credit assistance
to farmers and other individuals residing in rural areas of the
U.S.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC)
An independent federal agency that insures the
deposits in commercial banks
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
(FHLMC)
A corporation established to purchase primarily
conventional mortgage loans in the secondary mortgage market
Federal Housing Administration
(FHA)
An agency of the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD), whose function is the insuring of residential mortgage
loans made by private lenders; while setting standards for construction and
underwriting, the FHA itself does not lend money, or construct
housing
FHA insurance
Mortgage insurance provided by the Federal
Housing Administration to protect banks, savings and loans, and mortgage
companies against loss on real estate loans
FHA loan
A loan insured by the Federal Housing
Administration, and made by an approved lender in accordance with the FHA's
regulations
Federal National Mortgage Association
(FNMA)
A governmental agency established to purchase
any kind of mortgage loans in the secondary mortgage market from the primary
lenders
Fee simple
The greatest interest in a parcel of land that
is possible, or the total interest in real property
Fiduciary relationship
A relationship of trust and confidence, as
between principal and agent, trustee and beneficiary, attorney and
client
Finder's fee
A commission paid to a mortgage broker for
sourcing a mortgage loan for a prospective borrower
First mortgage
A mortgage that is the primary lien against a
property
Fixed-rate mortgage (FRM)
A mortgage in which the interest rate remains
fixed over the duration of the term of the loan
Fixture
Any item of property that is attached to real
property such that it becomes a permanent part of the real property, and
therefore is usually sold with it
Foreclosure
A legal proceeding usually initiated by the
lender or creditors, involving a forced sale of a property owned by a borrower
who has defaulted on payment of, or on the terms of, a loan on said property,
and whereby the borrower is deprived of his or her interest in the
property
Forfeiture
The loss of money, property, rights, or
privileges due to a breach of legal obligation
Forfeiture of Title
The provision in a deed that accounts for title
being passed to another, should certain terms not be met or certain
circumstances occur
Freddie Mac
The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (also
FHLMC), a private corporation that is federally chartered to purchases and
sells mortgage loans; a major player in the secondary market, along with the
Federal National Mortgage Associate (FNMA)
Front ratio
The ratio of a potential borrower's monthly
housing costs to their gross monthly income, utilized by lenders to qualify an
applicant for a loan; typically 28-40 percent is acceptable
Fully amortized ARM
An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) with a monthly
payment that is sufficient to pay off the remaining balance at the interest
accrual rate over the amortization term
Fully indexed note rate
Te index value at the time of application for an
adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) plus the gross margin stated in the
note
Is there a real estate word that I failed to explain here in my dictionary for homebuyers and sellers? Let me be your personal real estate dictionary! I'll send a brief explanation of any word or term that you encounter when buying and selling property.
Do you have a suggestion of a real estate word that should be included? Let me know! I always appreciate feedback.
Fill out the form below for a quick response from me by email. It's free, without obligation, and I guarantee your privacy.