Definition of "Mortgage loan"

A mortgage loan is nothing more than a real estate debt instrument. Acquiring a mortgage loan is the most common method of financing a home in America. The benefits are tremendous and the availability of it is dictated both by the risk the borrower presents to the lender, and the present moment of the country’s economy.

Here’s the play-by-play to better visualize the whole idea of a mortgage loan:

Jerry wants to buy a house that costs $200,000. But he doesn’t have 200k to spend at once - or he does but spending that amount of money will damage his cash flow. Because he doesn’t want to have a house but live miserably – plus, every new house comes with hidden costs…- he goes to a mortgage lender to ask for a mortgage loan.

The lender checks Jerry’s credit score and puts it against the price of the house to figure out if they are willing to take the risk on Jerry’s dream and financial health. If they are, then the mortgage loan is on. They will pay the $200,000 directly to the home seller and sign a contract with Jerry to allow him to move the home, that is “jointly owned” by the bank and Jerry. Now, every month, Jerry has to pay a certain amount of money combined with a specified (and agreed by contract) amount of interest that is deducted from the total amount. With every payment, Jerry acquires more equity to the home.

If everything goes along smoothly, Jerry pays the mortgage loan in its entirety, erases his debt, and the house becomes 100% his, thank you very much mortgage lender bye-bye.

However, if it doesn’t… big problems ahead.

A mortgage loan basically means that, as collateral, is the house itself. If something happens and Jerry defaults too much and fails to terminate his debt in a timely manner, the house goes in foreclosure and heads to auction so the lender can return its investment, and Jerry – having paid from 1% to 99%; doesn’t matter – loses everything.

Real Estate tip:

Here’s a great sort of mortgage loan: we will give you the best local real estate agents and you’ll give us… well, nothing because The OFFICIAL Real Estate Agent Directory® is 100% FREE! So I guess it’s not a mortgage loan after all, right? It’s just amazing. Yeah, we think so too. Enjoy!

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Part of a capital gain constituting tax benefits previously taken and taxed as ordinary income. ...

The accelerated cost recovery system is a depreciation system for tax purposes mandated by the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981. In 1986 the Accelerated Cost Recovery System (ACRS) was ...

The definition of a storm ready community is any community across the country that demonstrates it has the means to prepare and educate the population for severe weather conditions. ...

Restitution or compensation for harm or wrong done. ...

(1) The exposed trim and molding surrounding a door or window. (2) Woodwork which encases a pipe or structural member. (3) Method of creating a form for the pouring of concrete. ...

See concrete block. ...

Place where real estate is situated. The geographic location of property affects its value. For example, real estate in a good neighborhood is worth more. ...

When a debtor defaults on a loan for which a deed of trust is given, the trustee is required to have a sale of the real estate security for the benefit of the lender. A deed of trust is ...

Series of intersecting lines dividing a map or chart into equal sections. Series of intersecting bars, wires or support as in a grating or supports in a dropped ceiling. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions