Mortgage Terminology
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Fannie Mae
See Federal National Mortgage Association.
Farmers Home Administration (FmHA)
Provides financing to farmers and other qualified borrowers who are unable to obtain loans elsewhere.
Federal Home Loan Bank Board (FHLBB)
The former name for the regulatory and supervisory agency for federally chartered savings institutions. The agency is now called the Office of Thrift Supervision.
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) or "Freddie Mac"
A government sponsored entity that purchases conventional mortgage from insured depository institutions and HUD-approved mortgage bankers.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
A division of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Its main activity is the insuring of residential mortgage loans made by private lenders. FHA also sets standards for underwriting mortgages.
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or "Fannie Mae"
A government sponsored entity that purchases and sells conventional residential mortgages as well as those insured by FHA or guaranteed by VA.
FHA Loan
A loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration that is open to all qualified home purchasers. While there are limits to the size of FHA loans, they are generous enough to handle moderately priced homes almost anywhere in the country.
FHA Mortgage Insurance
Requires a fee (up to 2.25%of the loan amount) paid at closing to insure the loan with FHA. In addition, FHA mortgage insurance requires an annual fee of up to 0.5% of the current loan amount to be paid in monthly installments. The lower the down payment, the more years the fee must be paid.
FHLMC
The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation provides a secondary market for savings and loans by purchasing their conventional loans. Also known as "Freddie Mac."
Firm Commitment
A promise by FHA to insure a mortgage loan for a specified property and borrower. A promise from a lender to make a mortgage loan.
First Mortgage
The primary lien against a property.
Fixed Installment
The monthly payment due on a mortgage loan, including payment of both principal and interest.
Fixed Rate Mortgage
The mortgage interest rate will remain the same on these mortgages throughout the term of the mortgage for the original borrower.
FNMA
The Federal National Mortgage Association is a secondary mortgage institution. FNMA buys VA, FHA, and conventional mortgages from primary lenders. Also known as "Fannie Mae."
Foreclosure or Repossession of Property
A legal process by which the lender or the seller forces a sale of a mortgaged property because the borrower has not met the terms of the mortgage.
Freddie Mac
See Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
Fully Amortized ARM
An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) with a monthly payment that is sufficient to amortize the remaining balance, at the interest accrual rate, over the amortization term.
See Federal National Mortgage Association.
Farmers Home Administration (FmHA)
Provides financing to farmers and other qualified borrowers who are unable to obtain loans elsewhere.
Federal Home Loan Bank Board (FHLBB)
The former name for the regulatory and supervisory agency for federally chartered savings institutions. The agency is now called the Office of Thrift Supervision.
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) or "Freddie Mac"
A government sponsored entity that purchases conventional mortgage from insured depository institutions and HUD-approved mortgage bankers.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
A division of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Its main activity is the insuring of residential mortgage loans made by private lenders. FHA also sets standards for underwriting mortgages.
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or "Fannie Mae"
A government sponsored entity that purchases and sells conventional residential mortgages as well as those insured by FHA or guaranteed by VA.
FHA Loan
A loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration that is open to all qualified home purchasers. While there are limits to the size of FHA loans, they are generous enough to handle moderately priced homes almost anywhere in the country.
FHA Mortgage Insurance
Requires a fee (up to 2.25%of the loan amount) paid at closing to insure the loan with FHA. In addition, FHA mortgage insurance requires an annual fee of up to 0.5% of the current loan amount to be paid in monthly installments. The lower the down payment, the more years the fee must be paid.
FHLMC
The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation provides a secondary market for savings and loans by purchasing their conventional loans. Also known as "Freddie Mac."
Firm Commitment
A promise by FHA to insure a mortgage loan for a specified property and borrower. A promise from a lender to make a mortgage loan.
First Mortgage
The primary lien against a property.
Fixed Installment
The monthly payment due on a mortgage loan, including payment of both principal and interest.
Fixed Rate Mortgage
The mortgage interest rate will remain the same on these mortgages throughout the term of the mortgage for the original borrower.
FNMA
The Federal National Mortgage Association is a secondary mortgage institution. FNMA buys VA, FHA, and conventional mortgages from primary lenders. Also known as "Fannie Mae."
Foreclosure or Repossession of Property
A legal process by which the lender or the seller forces a sale of a mortgaged property because the borrower has not met the terms of the mortgage.
Freddie Mac
See Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
Fully Amortized ARM
An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) with a monthly payment that is sufficient to amortize the remaining balance, at the interest accrual rate, over the amortization term.
