Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM):

This type of mortgage that changes with the interest rates; monthly payments can fluctuate as determined by your lender, although it is most often subject to a rate cape.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR):

The cost if the loan calculated by its yearly interest rate which includes the interests, points, mortgage insurance and other fees associated with the loan.

Balloon Mortgage:

A borrower will get a low interest rate on a mortgage for an initial fixed period of time, anywhere from 5 - 10 years, and after that, the balance is due or is refinanced by the borrower.

Bridge Loan (aka Swing loan):

A short-term loan secured through the house that is being sold to be used toward the closing cost or instruction of the new home that is being purchased.

Closing Costs:

Fees not included in the purchase price of a home that (typically) the Buyer pays to cover the transfer of ownership at closing.

Down Payment:

The cash you use to buy your house, not what you borrow through your mortgage.

Earnest Money Deposit:

The money offered to a Seller to show you are more serious than the next guy...if your offer is accepted, it becomes part of the down payment; if it is rejected, it is returned; and if the Buyer pulls out if the deal it is forfeited.

Fixed Mortgage Rate:

The interest rate and all terms of this type of mortgage (and its payments) remain the same over the course of the loan.

Lock:

interest rates fluctuate, so a lock is a guarantee by a mortgage lender promising that if you close the loan within a certain time frame, the rate won't change.

Mortgage Insurance:

This is required, at the buyer's expense, by the lender if you make less than a 20% down payment of the purchase price.  The lender is protected should you default on your loan.

Upside Down Mortgage:

The value of your house has lowered to where it is valued at less than the mortgage balance.

Short Sale:

This is where proceeds form the sale of your house are less than the amount due to the Lender.  The Lender decides it is better to sell the property at a moderate loss rather than foreclose on it. The Seller may still be liable for the remaining balance of the loan.

Foreclosure:

A legal process by which a Lender seizes the property of a home owner, usually due to the home owner not making timely payments on the mortgage that the property secures.