A commitment issued by a lender to a borrower or another mortgage originator guaranteeing a specified interest rate and lender costs for a specified period of time.

A real estate broker or an associate holding active membership in a local real estate board affiliated with the National Association of Realtors.

A person licensed to negotiate and transact the sale of real estate on behalf of the property owner.

A consumer protection law that requires lenders to give borrowers advance notice of closing costs.

The cancellation of a contract. With respect to mortgage refinancing, the law that gives the homeowner three days to cancel a contract in some cases once it is signed if the transaction uses equity in the home as security.

Money paid to the lender for recording a home sale with the local authorities, thereby making it part of the public records.

Obtaining a new mortgage loan on a property already owned often to replace existing loans on the property.

A loan in which the interest rate is adjusted periodically. See adjustable rate mortgage.

Short for the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. RESPA is a federal law that allows consumers to review information on known or estimated settlement costs once after application and once prior to or at settlement. The law requires lenders to furnish the information after application only.

A form of mortgage in which the lender makes periodic payments to the borrower using the borrower’s equity in the home as collateral for and repayment of the loan.

A credit arrangement, such as a credit card, that allows a customer to borrow against a pre-approved line of credit when purchasing goods and services.