• Agree on a Marketing Plan
  • Before You Move
  • The Value of Your Home
  • Influential Overpricing Factors
  • Glossary of Terms
  • Preparing For Home Inspection
  • Preparing to Show Your Home
  • Pricing Your Property
  • Renovating For Resale
  • Signing a Listing Agreement
  • Major Elements of an Offer
  • About Market Conditions
  • Why Use an Agent
  • Glossary of Terms
    Sellers' Library

    AMORTIZATION PERIOD:
    The actual number of years it will take to pay back your mortgage loan.

    APPRAISED VALUE:
    An estimate of the value of the property. Conducted for the purpose of mortgage lending by a certified appraiser. This appraisal is not to be confused with a building inspection.

    ASSUMABILITY:
    Allows the buyer to take over the seller's mortgage on the property.

    CLOSED MORTGAGE:
    A mortgage that locks you into a specific payment schedule. A penalty usually applies if you repay the loan in full before the end of a closed term.

    CONDOMINIUM FEE:
    A common payment among owners which is allocated to pay expenses.

    CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE:
    A mortgage loan issued for up to 75% of the property's appraised value or purchase price, whichever is less.

    DOWN PAYMENT:
    The buyer's cash payment toward the property. The difference between the purchase price and the amount of the mortgage loan.

    EQUITY:
    The difference between the home's selling value and the debts against it.

    HIGH-RATIO MORTGAGE:
    A mortgage that exceeds 75% of the home's appraised value. These mortgages must be insured for payment.

    INTEREST RATE:
    The value charged by the lender for the use of the lender's money. Expressed as a percentage.

    LAND TRANSFER TAX, DEED TAX OR PROPERTY PURCHASE TAX:
    A fee paid to the municipal and /or provincial government for the transferring of property from seller to buyer.

    MATURITY DATE:
    The end of the term, at which time you can pay off the mortgage or renew it.

    MORTGAGEE:
    The borrower.

    MORTGAGE INSURANCE:
    Applies to high-ratio mortgages. It protects the lender against loss if the borrower is unable to repay the mortgage.

    MORTGAGE LIFE INSURANCE:
    Pays off the mortgage if the borrower dies.

    MORTGAGOR:
    The person or the financial institution that lends the money.

    OPEN MORTGAGE:
    Allows partial or full payment of the principal at any time, without penalty.

    PORTABILITY:
    A mortgage option that enables borrowers to take their current mortgage with them to another property, without penalty.

    PRE-APPROVED MORTGAGE:
    Qualifies you for a mortgage before you start shopping. You know exactly how much you can spend and are free to make a "firm" offer when you find the right home.

    PREPAYMENT PRIVILEGES:
    Voluntary payments in addition to regular mortgage payments.

    PRINCIPAL:
    The amount borrowed or still owing on a mortgage loan. Interest is paid on the principal amount.

    REFINANCING:
    Paying off the existing mortgage and arranging a new one or re-negotiating the terms and conditions of an existing mortgage.

    RENEWAL:
    Re-negotiation of a mortgage loan at the end of a term for a new term.

    SECOND MORTGAGE:
    Additional financing. Usually has a shorter term and higher interest rate than the first mortgage.

    TERM:
    The length of time the interest rate is fixed. It also indicates when the principal balance becomes due and payable to the lender.

    TITLE:
    Legal ownership in a property.

    VARIABLE RATE MORTGAGE:
    A mortgage with fixed payments, but fluctuates with interest rates. The changing interest rate determines how much of the payment goes towards the principal.

    VENDOR TAKE-BACK MORTGAGE:
    When the seller provides some or all of the mortgage financing in order to sell their property.