Real Estate Glossary

The APS is a legal agreement that offers a certain price for a home. The offer may be firm (no conditions attached) or conditional (certain conditions must be fulfilled before the deal can be closed).

The number of years it takes to repay the entire amount of a mortgage.

An estimate of a property's market value.

The increase of a property's value over time.

The value of a property, set by the local municipality, for the purposes of calculating property tax.

A mortgage held on a property by the seller that can be taken over by the buyer, who then accepts responsibility for making the mortgage payments.

A combination of two mortgages, one with a higher interest rate than the other, to create a new mortgage with an interest rate somewhere between the two original rates.

Money borrowed against a homeowner's equity in a property, usually for a short term, to help finance the purchase of another property or make improvements to a property being sold.

The company responsible for construction of the houses in any particular subdivision. The builder buys the lots from the developer and then builds the dwelling.

Another name for the mortgage.

Usually, chattels are personal effects, which you take with you when you move. Examples are: furniture, art work, etc.

The date on which the sale of a property becomes final and the new owner takes possession. (It is the real estate transaction's completion, when the parties involved agree that all legal and financial obligations have been met, and the deed to the property is transferred from the seller to the buyer.)

Those areas in a condominium development that are enjoyed by all residents.

A residential structure in which apartments or townhouses (units) are individually owned as pieces of real estate while the land and common facilities are jointly owned.

Operates the condominium and the land.

A first mortgage issued for up to 80% of the property's appraised value or purchase price, whichever is lower.

One party's written response to the other party's offer during purchase negotiations between buyer and seller.

The percentage of a borrower's gross income that can be used for housing costs, including mortgage payment and taxes (and condominium fees, where applicable).

A legal document that conveys (transfers) ownership of a property to the buyer.

The company responsible for taking raw land, subdividing it into lots, bringing in the services (such as sewers and roads) etc., and then selling the lots to the builder.

Once the mortgage has been completely paid, the lender registers a Discharge on title to the property. It has the effect of removing the lender’s registered interest in the property.

A legal right to use or cross (right-of-way) another person's land for limited purposes. This right belongs to someone other than the landowner. A common example is a utility company's right to run wires or lay pipe across a property.

An intrusion onto an adjoining property — such as a neighbour's fence, storage shed or overhanging roof line that partially (or even fully) intrudes onto your property.

The difference between the price for which a property can be sold and the total of the mortgage(s) and other loans on the property. Equity is the owner's financial "stake" in the property.

A legal process by which the lender takes possession and ownership of a property when the borrower defaults on the mortgage obligation.

A person who agrees to be legally responsible for paying your mortgage if you default on your payments. A guarantor is only required by the lender in certain circumstances (e.g., you are new to the work force and do not have much money saved).

A mortgage for more than 80% of a property's appraised value or purchase price.

A requirement set out by the mortgage lender that a person who is not the borrower and who is taking on legal responsibility for a mortgage loan (e.g., a Guarantor) consult with an independent lawyer to discuss the commitment that they are making and the risks that they are undertaking.

The percentage of the principal charged by the lender for borrowing money.

Payment to the provincial government for transferring property from the seller to the buyer.

The purchaser's lawyer is responsible for assuring that their clients receive good title. The lawyer searches title to the property, obtains information from the municipality, reviews a survey of the property (if available), and advises the client as to the state of title before closing. The lawyer for the purchaser also acts for the mortgage lender (because of economics). The mortgage lender is also interested in the state of title because it is advancing monies on the security of the land. The purchaser's lawyer registers the deed and the mortgage.

The vendor's lawyer will deal with any problems that the purchaser's lawyer finds on title that have to be dealt with before the transaction closes. The vendor's lawyer also delivers the keys and a deed on closing in return for money.

Any legal claim against a property, filed to ensure payment of a debt.

A loan that is usually used for something other than the purchase of a home (e.g., home renovations). It may be secured (e.g., with a collateral mortgage) or unsecured. You can withdraw the full amount at one time or use smaller amounts up to the full amount of the loan. The lender charges interest on the total amount withdrawn and not yet repaid.

The date when the mortgage must be either paid in full or another term negotiated through a renewal agreement. Also called Balance Due Date.

A loan secured against your home (and property). You agree to repay the full amount of the loan, plus interest.

Written approval from the mortgage lender, indicating how much money will be advanced under the mortgage and what conditions must be met for the mortgage. Also called Commitment Letter.

A person who, for a fee that is usually paid by the lender, can help you arrange a mortgage.

A document setting out that a lender has agreed to lend a buyer a certain amount of money at a certain rate of interest for a specific period of time. It may contain conditions and a date by which the loan must close.

Government-backed or private-backed insurance protecting the lender against the borrower's default on high ratio (or other types) of mortgages (e.g., Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Genworth Financial Inc.).

The mortgage lender provides money for purchase in return for getting a mortgage or charge on the land and future interest/payments.

The lender.

The borrower.

A system for relaying information to Realtors about properties for sale.

See Tarion Warranty Corporation.

A mortgage with no penalty if the borrower wants to repay the entire mortgage before the end of the term.

Principal, interest and taxes. Together these make up the regular payment on a mortgage if you elect to include property taxes in your mortgage payments.

This is usually given in advance of the formal mortgage application. In pre-approving a mortgage, a lender tells a potential buyer approximately how much money the buyer can afford to borrow.

An interest penalty imposed in accordance with the terms of the mortgage when a mortgage is paid off before it comes due.

A mortgage feature that allows the borrower to repay a portion or all of the principal balance with or without penalty. This privilege is frequently restricted to specific amounts and times.

The mortgage amount initially borrowed, or the portion still owing on the mortgage. Interest is calculated on the principal amount.

The purchaser is the person buying the home.

Real estate agents are responsible for bringing together a purchaser and a vendor in a transaction. This is where the "point of sale" occurs - vendor and purchaser sign the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, often without the aid of a lawyer, although the assistance of a lawyer is recommended.

A mortgage registered on title after the first mortgage, so the second mortgage lender's rights are secondary to the rights of the first mortgage lender.

A written statement of a condominium unit's current financial and legal status.

One large piece of land under one ownership being subdivided into several lots to be sold to many purchasers.

A private corporation set up by the provincial government to administer the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. The act is designed to protect consumers buying new homes by ensuring that they get a quality home. All builders in Ontario must enroll every home in the program.

The length of time that the mortgage agreement exists. At the end of the term, a new term can be negotiated or the mortgage loan is due in full.

A mortgage for which payments are fixed, but whose interest rate changes in relationship to fluctuating market interest rates. If market rates go up, a larger portion of the payment goes to interest. If rates go down, a larger portion of the payment is applied to the principal.

The vendor is the current owner of the property who is selling it.

When sellers use the equity in a property to provide some or all of the mortgage financing in order to sell the property.

Strict guidelines set by municipal governments regulating how a property may or may not be used.