Loan Glossary
Amortise
To extinguish a debt by periodic payment.
Amortisation Period
The time that it will take to repay a home loan.
Application Fee
The fee charged by a lender to cover or partially cover the cost of setting up or establishing the loan.
Assets
Money, property or goods that are owned.
Balance sheet
A detailed statement summarizing the assets and liabilities of the business, giving a picture of its wealth at the time.
Back to TopBridging Finance
Short term finance provided usually when a client is transferring from one home to another and the new home is settling prior to the settlement of the current home.
Capital Gain
The financial gain you receive when you sell something for more than you paid for it. You may then be subject to capital gains tax, which is paid on the gained amount.
Caveat
A warning to be aware noted on the C/T (property search).
Certificate of Title
The document of Title to the land held under the Torrens System. It sets out the Crown description of the land, the registered proprietors, registered mortgages, easements, covenants and encumbrances.
Chattels
Noted on the offer to purchase. These are the items that are moveable but are included when a property is sold e.g. curtains, light fittings.
Back to TopCommission
The fee collected by a broker from the financial institution for the service of introducing the borrower to the lender.
Common Area
Areas that are designated on the title for common use, not individual e.g. stairs.
Company Title
A private company owns the land and building. The buyer purchases shares in a company in order to gain possession of a unit amongst a block of units.
Contract of Sale
A written agreement outlining the terms and conditions for the purchase or sale of property.
Conveyancing
The legal process for the transferal of ownership of real estate.
Back to TopDebt Service Ratio
The ratio used by some lenders when assessing the borrowers serviceability of a loan.
Default
The failure to meet payment of the agreed loan installment/s by the mortgagor.
Deposit
An amount of money placed with a financial institution.
Disbursements
A solicitor's incidental costs involved when dealing with a client on behalf of a lender (e.g.searches, certificates, pest reports etc.)
Discharge of Mortgage
When the loan has been or is to be repaid in full, this form is completed by the borrower authorizing the lender to release the property from their security. The certificate of title would be produced at the time and registration of this would be noted on the title.
Back to TopDraw Down
The act of transferring money from the lending institution to the borrower after the loan has settled.
Early Possession
The vendor allowing possession of the property prior to settlement.
Easement
An entitlement someone has to use land belonging to someone else e.g. Power box, fire hydrant.
Encumbrance
A charge noted on the certificate of title showing liability e.g. Mortgage or entitlement e.g. easement.
Execution/Endorsement of Documents
Signing and witnessing of legal papers e.g. loan documents, mortgage documents.
Back to TopEquity
The financial interest a person has in a property or business enterprise e.g. equity in your home is represented by the difference between its market value and the amount still owed to the lender.
Exchange
Is the point in time when the vendor and the buyer exchange the signed contracts to carry out settlement on the sale of property.
Fixed Rate
The interest rate is fixed for the specified term on the loan e.g. 3 years/5years. Repayments also remain fixed for this period of time.
Foreclose
To force the payout of the mortgage by way of sale of the property.
Guarantor
A person or people who agree to be responsible for the payment of the purchaser's debts should that purchaser fail to repay them.
Back to TopInterest
The amount charged by a lender for the service of lending funds. This is charged as a percentage of the funds borrowed.
Joint Tenants
Equal interests in a property by two or more persons. If one owner dies, the remaining interest passes to the remaining tenant(s). (Also see Tenants in Common).
Leasehold
The interest in land of a person who has been given a lease by the entity who own the property freehold.
Lenders Mortgage Insurance
An insurance that covers the lender should there be a shortfall in the payout figure if a property is sold to recover debts outstanding. This is usually required by lenders for loan amounts over 80% LVR.
Loan Application Form
Form used to gather all necessary information from a prospective borrower.
Back to TopLoan to Value Ratio
The ratio of the amount lent to the valuation of the property expressed as a percentage e.g. if the property costs $100,000 and the loan being sought is $80,000 the LVR is 80%.
Maturity
The date by which a debt or investment must be paid in full.
Mortgage
A form of security for a loan, usually taken over real estate. The lender has the right to take the real estate if the borrower fails to repay the loan.
Mortgagee
The lender of funds.
Mortgagor
The person borrowing money in terms of the mortgage.
Back to TopNegative Gearing
An accounting term meaning when you are earning less money on your investment than maintaining it e.g. Rental property.
Notice of Demand
Issued by a solicitor to a mortgagor when default has occurred. The amount is usually the outstanding repayments and charges. This demand gives the mortgagor seven days to pay the default amount. Failure to do so may result in the forced sale of the property.
Portability
When a new property can be used as security for an existing loan (i.e. when a new loan is transferred to a new property without needing to repay the loan, reapply or restructure).
Principal
The capital sum borrowed on which interest is paid during the term of the loan.
Progress Payment
The drawdown amounts used whilst constructing a property. Usually there are 4 or 5 that take place during the course of construction.
Back to TopRedraw
The borrower is able to draw on pre-paid funds from the loan account.
Refinancing
To replace or extend an existing loan with funds from the same or another lender.
Registration of Mortgage
The administration procedure that takes place following the settlement. The mortgage document and certificate of title are stamped and all relevant details are noted on the C/T. The duplicates are then lodged at the Titles Office.
Search
An examination to confirm the vendor has the right to sell the property and there are no encumbrances on the property.
Security
An asset that guarantees the lender their borrowings until the loan is repaid in full. Usually the property is offered to secure the loan.
Back to TopSettlement
The gathering of interested parties i.e. solicitors, agents, banks to complete the transaction of the sale of the property. Cheques are handed over in exchange for the relevant security documents, keys etc.
Stamp Duty
The government's charge on the purchase price of the property and also the mortgage documents.
Strata Title
A type of title used for units, multiple residences in which the unit holder owns the 'airspace' in which the unit exists and becomes a member of the Owners Corporation (formerly known as Body Corporate).
Tenants in Common
Unequal or equal interests in a property by two or more persons. Should one owner die their share is administered by their estate. The individual shares can be sold as the individual owners wish. (Also see Joint Tenants).
Term
The length of the loan.
Back to TopTitle Insurance
Insurance that protects the lender (lender's policy) or the buyer (owner's policy) against loss arising from disputes over ownership of a property.
Title Search
A copy of the Certificate of Title issued by the Titles Office showing registered details of the property such as mortgages, easements etc.
Torrens Title
The usual form of title.
Transfer of Land
A document produced to transfer legal ownership of one property from one entity to another. This document is registered with the Land Titles office and is noted on the Certificate of Title.
Valuation
A report detailing a professional opinion on the property's market value.
Back to TopVariation
Changing any part of the original loan contract.
Vendor
Person selling their property.
Verification of Income
Written proof of an individual/company income e.g. pay slip, tax returns.