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Glossary of Mortgage Terms

Explore commonly used mortgage terms that are frequently used by AmeriSave Mortgage.
Absentee Owner

An absentee owner is someone or something that owns a property but doesn't live there or take care of it on a daily basis.

Acceleration Clause

If you break certain terms of your mortgage agreement, an acceleration clause lets the lender demand that you pay back the entire remaining loan balance at once.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a small, self-contained living space that is on the same property as a single-family home. It has its own kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area.

Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)

An adjustable-rate mortgage is a home loan with an interest rate that stays the same for a set amount of time and then changes based on a market index. This means that your monthly payment can go up or down over time.

After-Repair Value (ARV)

Investors and lenders use after-repair value (ARV) to figure out how much a property will be worth on the market after planned repairs or renovations are done.

Airbnb Investment

An Airbnb investment is a property bought with the goal of making money from short-term rentals on sites like Airbnb, where nightly rates are often higher than those for long-term leases.

Amortization in Real Estate

Paying off a mortgage loan over time through regular monthly payments that cover both interest and part of the principal balance is called amortization.

Appraisal Gap

An appraisal gap is the difference between the appraised value of a home and the higher price that the buyer and seller have already agreed on.

Appraisal Waiver

An appraisal waiver lets a home buyer or homeowner who is refinancing skip the usual in-person property appraisal if the lender's automated system can confirm the home's value using data that is already available.

APR (Annual Percentage Rate)

The annual percentage rate (APR) is a standard way to show how much it costs to borrow money each year. It includes your interest rate, discount points, and some lender fees.

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Glossary of Mortgage Terms