Glossary of Mortgage Terms

Down payment assistance is money from the government, a nonprofit, or an employer that helps a home buyer pay for part or all of the money they need to close on a mortgage.

A drive-by appraisal is a way to find out how much a house is worth by looking at the outside and using public records and sales data from similar homes.

A DSCR loan is a type of mortgage for investment properties that looks at the property's rental income instead of the borrower's personal income, tax returns, or work history to see if they qualify.

Dual agency occurs when a single real estate agent or brokerage represents both the home buyer and seller in a home sale. This can create a conflict of interest that all parties involved should be aware of.

A due-on-sale clause is a provision in a mortgage contract under which the lender may demand full payment of the loan if the property is sold or otherwise transferred without the lender’s written approval.

A home buyer's earnest money is a deposit the buyer pays to show the seller they're serious about buying their house. It's usually held in escrow until the deal is done.

An easement is a legal right that lets someone other than the property owner use a certain part of the property for a specific purpose without giving up ownership.

The government has the constitutional right to take private property for public use, as long as the owner is paid a fair amount that is equal to the property's fair market value.

When a structure, fence, or landscaping from one property crosses the line and goes onto a neighbor's land without permission, it’s called an encroachment.

An encumbrance is a claim, lien, or restriction on a property by someone other than the owner that makes it harder to use or move the property.