COST OF FUNDS INDEX (COFI)   Back to top
An index of financial institutions costs used to set interest rates for some Adjustable Rate Mortgages.

COVENANT   Back to top
A stipulation in any mortgage that, if not met, can be cause for the lender to foreclose.

CREDIT   Back to top
A loan of money for the purchase of property, real or personal. Credit is either secured by an asset, such as a home, or unsecured.

CREDIT HISTORY   Back to top
A record of debt payments, past and present. Used by mortgage lenders in determining credit worthiness of individuals.

CREDITOR   Back to top
A person to whom money is owed.

CREDIT REPORT   Back to top
A detailed report of an individuals credit, employment and residence history prepared by a credit bureau. Used by lenders to determine credit worthiness of individuals.

CREDIT REPOSITORY   Back to top
Large companies that gather and store financial and credit information about individuals who apply for credit.

CUL-DE-SAC   Back to top
A dead-end street. One with only one entrance/exit.

DATE OF APPRAISAL   Back to top
The specific point in time as of which an appraiser designates the value of a home. Often stipulated as the date of inspection.

DEBT   Back to top
An obligation to repay some amount owed. This may or may not be monetary.

DEBT EQUITY RATIO   Back to top
The ratio of the amount a mortgagor still owes on a property to the amount of equity they have in the home. Equity is calculated at the fair-market value of the home, less any outstanding mortgage debt.

DEED   Back to top
A document indicating the ownership of a property.

DEED-IN-LIEU (OF FORECLOSURE)   Back to top
A document given by a borrower to a lender, transferring title of the property. Often used to avoid credit-damaging foreclosure procedures.

DEED OF TRUST   Back to top
A document which transfers title in a property to a trustee, who's obligations and powers are stipulated. Often used in mortgage transactions.

DEED OF RECONVEYANCE   Back to top
A document which transfers ownership of a property from a Trustee back to a borrower who has fulfilled the obligations of a mortgage.

DEED OF RELEASE   Back to top
A document which dismisses a lien or other claim on a property.

DEED OF SURRENDER   Back to top
A document used to surrender any claim a person has to a property.

DEFAULT   Back to top
The condition in which a borrower has failed to meet the obligations of a loan or mortgage.

DELINQUENCY   Back to top
The state in which a borrow has failed to meet payment obligations on time.

DEPOSIT   Back to top
Cash given along with an offer to purchase property, Also called EARNEST MONEY.

DEPRECIATION   Back to top
The natural decline in property value due to market forces or depletion of resources.

DETACHED SINGLE-FAMILY HOME   Back to top
A single building improvement intended to serve as a home for one family.

DISCOUNT POINTS   Back to top
Points paid in addition to the loan origination fee to get a lower interest rate. One point is equal to one percent of the loan amount.

DISTRESSED PROPERTY   Back to top
A mortgaged property which has been foreclosed on.

DOWNSPOUT   Back to top
The pipe that water moves through to reach the ground from the rain gutter.

DUE-ON-SALE PROVISION   Back to top
A clause in a mortgage giving the lender the right to demand payment of the full balance when the borrower sells the property.

DUPLEX   Back to top
A single-building improvement which is divided and provides two units which serve as homes to two families.

DWELLING   Back to top
A house or other building which serves as a home.

DOWN PAYMENT   Back to top
An amount paid in cash for a property, with the intent to mortgage the remaining amount due.

EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT   Back to top
A cash deposit made to a home seller to secure an offer to buy the property. This amount is often forfeited if the buyer decides to withdraw his offer.

EASEMENT   Back to top