Conventional and refinance glossary

Amortization: Repaying a loan through scheduled payments that cover interest first and gradually more principal.
Annual percentage rate: The yearly cost of credit including interest and certain finance charges, disclosed under the Truth in Lending Act.
Appraisal: An independent opinion of market value used by the lender.
Cash-out refinance: A refinance where the new loan exceeds the payoff and the borrower receives the difference.
Closing Disclosure: The five-page form you receive at least three business days before closing showing final loan terms and costs.
Conforming loan limit: The maximum loan size Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can buy, set each year by the FHFA.
Conventional loan: A mortgage not insured by a government agency.
Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): Monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income.
Discount points: Prepaid interest paid at closing to reduce the interest rate.
Escrow account: An account your servicer uses to pay property taxes and insurance from monthly deposits.
Homeowners Protection Act: Federal law governing PMI cancellation and automatic termination.
Lender credit: A credit toward closing costs in exchange for a higher interest rate.
Loan Estimate: The standardized three-page form a lender must provide within three business days of application.
Loan-to-value (LTV): The loan amount divided by the property value.
Private mortgage insurance (PMI): Insurance on conventional loans when equity is below the investor threshold.
Rate lock: A lender’s commitment to hold a rate and price for a set period.
Rescission: The right to cancel certain refinances of a primary residence within three business days after closing.
Seasoning: The time a borrower must have owned the home or held the loan before certain refinances.
Servicer: The company that collects payments and manages the loan after closing.
Value acceptance: An investor decision to accept a value without a traditional appraisal.