What’s the difference between assessed value and market value? One is the home’s tax-assessed value; the other is what buyers are willing to pay....

Basis points are units of measurement that assess percentages. Learn how this financial tool can determine your mortgage cost and its potential monthly changes.

HUD is an acronym for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Learn how HUD works, what it does and how it helps aspiring home buyers.

A promissory note is a repayment agreement between a borrower and lender, but how does it differ from a loan? Read on to see how promissory notes work.

Ready to apply for a mortgage and wondering if you should pay an origination fee? Find out how this common charge can actually save you money in the long run...

A chattel mortgage is an option for purchasing a manufactured home where the home secures the loan. See how chattel loans differ from traditional mortgages.<...

An interest rate floor is the lowest agreed-upon rate for floating-rate loan products. Learn how interest rate floors work and uncover some examples.

Manual underwriting is one of the ways a lender can review your loan application for approval. Learn more about what this means for you and your loan.

Read our guide to find out what deficiency judgments are in real estate, how they work in foreclosures and what mortgage borrowers should know about them.

Seller concessions are closing costs that the seller has agreed to pay, but is it a reasonable request? Learn more about seller concessions and how they work.

If you’re considering buying a home, you’ve probably seen the term “mortgagee.” Learn who a mortgagee is, and what role they play in ...

A mortgagor is an individual or organization that borrows money to purchase real estate. Learn about mortgagors versus mortgagees and their relationship.

A subordinate mortgage can be a complex topic with implications for borrowers. Uncover important realities you need to know about mortgage subordination.

Blanket mortgages finance multiple properties under one loan. Uncover the pros and cons of blanket loans to see if this type of financing is right for you.

A dry closing occurs when everything but payment is completed at closing. Find out what a dry closing is and which states allow dry closings.

A bundle of rights describes the legal rights associated with property ownership: the right of possession, control, enjoyment, disposition and exclusion.

The words may sound the same, but there’s a difference between forbearance and foreclosure. Here’s what you need to know.

In this episode, we're going in-depth on everything you need to know about this critical, yet confusing, part of the home buying process -- what escrow is and h...