📘 Mortgage Terms Glossary (A–Z Index)

Mortgage Terms Glossary Introduction

Understanding mortgage terminology is essential when comparing loan options, estimating monthly payments, or preparing for pre‑approval. This A–Z Mortgage Terms Glossary provides clear, simple explanations of the most important concepts you’ll encounter during the home‑buying or refinancing process. Each term includes a straightforward definition, why it matters, and links to related topics so you can explore further.

Use this glossary as a quick reference whenever you come across unfamiliar mortgage language. As the housing market evolves, this glossary will continue to grow and update to keep the information accurate and helpful.

A–Z Glossary Index

Below is the full alphabetical list of mortgage terms. Click any term to view its full definition.

A

Amortization
Amortization Schedule
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
Appraisal
Appraised Value
Assessed Value
Asset Documentation
Adjustable‑Rate Mortgage (ARM)
Application Fee
Automated Underwriting System (AUS)

B

Balloon Mortgage
Basis Points (BPS)
Borrower Credit Score
Bridge Loan
Buydown (2‑1 Buydown)

C

Closing Costs
Closing Disclosure (CD)
Collateral
Conforming Loan
Conventional Loan
Credit Report
Credit Utilization
Cash‑to‑Close
Co‑Borrower
Co‑Signer

D

Debt‑to‑Income Ratio (DTI)
Down Payment
Discount Points
Deed of Trust
Delinquency

E

Escrow
Earnest Money Deposit (EMD)
Equity
Effective Interest Rate
Employment Verification

F

FHA Loan
Fixed‑Rate Mortgage
Foreclosure
Fannie Mae
Freddie Mac

L

Loan Estimate (LE)
Loan‑to‑Value Ratio (LTV)
Loan Term
Lock‑In Rate
Lien

M

Mortgage Insurance (MI)
Mortgage Note
Mortgage Servicer
Monthly Payment (PITI)
Mortgage Underwriting

How to Use This Glossary

Click any term to open its full definition
Use the glossary to support your mortgage research
Explore related terms to deepen your understanding
Visit the mortgage calculator to apply these concepts to real numbers