A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Acceleration
This is an expression that is usually used when a person chooses to pay a mortgage on a weekly or a bi-weekly basis although it can apply to any repayment program. All mortgages are drawn with a requirement that you make payments monthly, however, the bank will usually agree to administer one half of the required monthly payment each bi-weekly period, you are paying the equivalent to one extra monthly payment per year and therefore paying off your mortgage more quickly. If you chose to pay weekly and pay one quarter of a monthly payment each weekly period you get the same benefit. Be sure to arrange that your mortgage payment dates match your pay days!
Agreement of Purchase and Sale
A legal agreement that offers a certain price for a home. The offer may be firm (no conditions attached), or conditional (certain conditions must be fulfilled before the deal can be closed).
Amortization
The period of time it takes to pay off your mortgage in full. Typically you would choose the longest amortization available which is 25 years.
Appraisal
A process which determines the market value of property. This will usually be performed by a professional appraiser who will prepare a comprehensive report complete with photographs of the home.
Appraisal Value
An estimate of the market value of the property.
ASP's
dfds's
Assumable
When a mortgage is assumable, a buyer may take over the responsibilities and benefits of the sellers' existing mortgage. This may be advantageous to a buyer if the interest rate on the mortgage is below the current market rates. Before assuming a mortgage, approval must be obtained from the lender.
