purchase property for business

Thai Law Firm for land and property purchase by foreigners in Bangkok, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Koh Chang, Chiang Mai. Home Business Guide Publications FAQs Links Meet Us Contact Us Careers --- Proud Sponsor: Thailand Law Forum USA Visa Thailand LAND PURCHASE Buying land or purchasing property in Thailand is attractive for a variety of reasons. Some buy land to build a vacation or retirement home in Thailand while others purchase property for business and investment purposes. Our licensed attorneys have been supervising land purchases in Thailand for over 20 years. We specialize in protecting foreigners' rights in Thailand. Can a foreigner buy land or purchase property in Thailand? Thai law, in general, prohibits non-Thai citizens from buying land or purchasing property in Thailand. However, there are various exceptions to the law, as well as methods for foreigners who want to buy land or purchase property to acquire rights to land and property in Thailand legally. What are the options available for buying land or property in Thailand? For a foreigner wishing to buy land or purchase property in Thailand, there are mainly four options worth exploring. These include using investment, leasing, owning a company and marrying a Thai spouse. Investing/BOI : With significant investment of funds, foreigners may be allowed to own a limited amount of land under Thai property law. Some foreign companies seek and obtain the approval of the Board of Investment (BOI) to purchase land for a limited period. This option, however, is not available to the vast majority of non-Thai nationals seeking to obtain a second home, retirement home or investment in Thailand because of the legal restrictions involved. As a result, other options must be examined. Leasing : Thai property law allows a foreigner to lease land for a maximum of 30 years, with lease renewal options of 30 years. Many foreigners choose this method to secure land or property ownership. In comparison to setting up a company, land leasing is easier and requires less maintenance. (More information on land leasing in Thailand can be found here) Owning a company : A foreigner may use a Thailand-registered company to obtain property rights or land interest in Thailand. This "Thai" company must be at least 51% owned by Thai shareholders, while the remaining 49% or less may be held by foreigners. (Some law firms are still using the old law and recommending 39% foreign ownership.) Marrying a Thai spouse : A recent revision of Thai law has provided the opportunity for a Thai with a foreign spouse to buy land or property in Thailand. Prior to registering the land parcel at the Land Department, the couple may be asked to sign declarations, declaring that the funds for the property came solely from the Thai spouse. This may, in effect, result in the non-Thai spouse waiving his/her rights on the land or property. Such declarations may become problematic in a divorce case as the non-Thai spouse may have difficulties proving that the land was marital property. To prepare for such an event, a skillfully-drafted prenuptial agreement may be useful. How useful is a limited liability company for a foreigner who wishes to buy land or purchase property? This is one of the most popular methods employed by foreign investors who want to buy land or purchase property in Thailand. Although Thai law generally requires Thai nationals to own a majority interest in a company in order to legally purchase land or property, various legal documents and procedures can be used to provide greater protection for foreign minority shareholders. I am an American who owns 100 per cent of a Thailand-registered company under the Amity Treaty. Am I able to use this Amity Treaty company to buy land or purchase property? Unfortunately, an Amity Treaty company only allows Americans to transact in certain types of businesses. Under the Treaty, Americans can own a majority share in a Thai company but they are not granted the right to buy or purchase land in Thailand. How many types of title deeds are available for private land ownership? There are mainly three types of title deeds for private land ownership in Thailand. The best title deed for land ownership is the Chanot (Nor Sor 4), which must be registered at the Land Department in the province in which the land is located. Although it is possible for a land parcel to be commonly held by several individuals, only the person whose name is indicated on a Chanot has all the legal rights to that land. The deed can act as evidence of ownership, and it can be used to engage in legal acts upon that land as allowed by the law. The second and third best title deeds are the Nor Sor 3 Gor and the Nor Sor 3. For Nor Sor 3 title deeds, the Land Department does not utilize official markers to designate land boundaries. As a result, these title deeds have less specific land demarcation than the Chanot. Foreigners who intend to buy land should also be aware of the problematic "possessory right". This land-ownership right is not substantiated by a title at the Land Department but it is shown using tax payments. Title Deed Definition Chanot (Nor Sor 4) Full title deed Nor Sor 3 Gor Second best title deed. Used while awaiting measurement for a Chanot . Nor Sor 3 Third best title deed. Ownership may be established; Less specific boundary demarcation than a Chanot . Possessory Right One of the weakest land rights. Normally an inherited land right proven by tax payments at the local administrative office. Can you tell me more about land mortgages in Thailand? An application made in writing, followed by a registration at the Land Department of Thailand are two necessary procedures for land mortgages in Thailand. Buildings built on the land after the mortgage date will be not covered unless they were agreed upon prior to the signing of the mortgage documents. Such buildings and other immovable structures should be mortgaged and registered separately at the Land Department or local Amphur (province). I would like to know the pros and cons of utilizing company formation to own land in Thailand. With this approach, foreigners are able to acquire ownership interest in a freehold land in Thailand. This ownership is deemed permanent if the company stays in operation and does not sell or transfer the land. Company formation for the purpose of owning land would be suitable for people considering setting up businesses in Thailand; people with intentions of holding land for investment or for long duration; and as inheritance for future heirs. One other advantage of this type of ownership is the possibility of mortgaging and/or subdividing the land for resale purposes. This is a right normally conferred by land leases. For a Thailand-registered company to buy land legally, it must consist of Thai shareholders. Some foreigners hire Thai nationals to act as nominees of their company but this may be risky in the long run. These Thai nominees will become legal shareholders of the company and therefore, legally ow n the company. Even if there are ways of reducing shareholders' control in the company, it is still a risky approach to undertake for a foreigner. Another disadvantage is the need to maintain regulatory compliance of the company. The law requires a Thailand-registered company to file annual balance sheets and to maintain a company address. Moreover, companies that are not operating may be de-listed. It would, therefore, be wise to use an active company to purchase land or buy property in Thailand. If I hire a Thai national to buy land or purchase property on my behalf, can this person execute an agreement stating that the land belongs to me? In principle, it is illegal for a Thai national to buy land or purchase property on behalf of a foreigner. Therefore, the agreement carried out would be considered illegal and not put into effect. Which is a better alternative for buying land outside of Bangkok - hiring a local law firm from the province or a Bangkok-based law firm? A dearth of qualified law firms in provinces outside of Bangkok often poses problems for foreigners seeking a firm to handle all their legal needs. Before you hire a local law firm, do check that there is no pre-existing working relationship between the seller/Land Department officials and the local law firm. This is to prevent any biased assessments during the process of buying land. On the other hand, foreigners are able to find many qualified law firms in Bangkok. Bangkok-based law firms are able to commute to the provinces to execute the land transaction. Many foreigners feel more comfortable with this approach as these law firms operate independently and in full interests of the client (buyer). (Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. No warranty is expressed or implied. Before taking any legal action, persons are advised to seek the advice of an attorney qualified in the area of law concerned.) www www.sgalegal.com Siam Global Associates Co., Ltd. Suite 606, 6th Flr., Nai Lert Building 87 Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey, Vadhana Bangkok 10110 Thailand Tel: (662) 650 3510 (-12) Fax: (662) 655 0655 E-mail: sgalegal@cscoms.com © 2001-2005 Siam Global Associates Co., Ltd.

Real Estate Listing

REALTOR.com: Real estate listings & homes for sale Welcome, Visitor! Sign Up to: Save Searches Save Listings Sign Up Now! Already a member? Sign In Homebuying Tools Find a Lender Find a Mover Market Conditions Neighborhood Tour Real Estate 101 Buyers Sellers For REALTORS® Resource Center News REALTOR.org Search the Web Select a Top Search: Bad Credit Contractors Homeowner's Insurance Debt Consolidation Interior Design Mortgage Rates Loan Types Rates Points 30-yr fixed 5.74% 0.37 15-yr fixed 5.38% 0.28 ARM 3/1, 30Yrs 4.87% 0.26 Updated: 12/29/2005 11:42:43 AM Check Local Rates Search our national directory of mortgage brokers and lenders. Find a Home Over 2.5 million listings for sale! State/Province AB AK AL AR AZ BC CA CO CT DC DE FL GA GU HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MB MD ME MI MO MN MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK ON OR PA PR RI SC SD TN TX UT VI VT VA WA WI WV WY - OR - Minimum Price $0 $500 $1,000 $1,400 $2,000 $5,000 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $45,000 $50,000 $55,000 $60,000 $70,000 $75,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $400,000 $450,000 $500,000 $550,000 $600,000 $650,000 $700,000 $750,000 $800,000 $850,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $10,000,000 to Maximum Price $1,000 $1,400 $2,000 $5,000 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $45,000 $50,000 $55,000 $60,000 $70,000 $75,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $400,000 $450,000 $500,000 $550,000 $600,000 $650,000 $700,000 $750,000 $800,000 $850,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $10,000,000 no maximum Beds 1+ Beds 2+ Beds 3+ Beds 4+ Beds 5+ Beds Baths 1+ Baths 1.5+ Baths 2+ Baths 2.5+ Baths 3+ Baths 3.5+ Baths 4+ Baths More Search Options Map Search Hurricane Relief Find or offer immediately available temporary housing to assist Hurricane victims: HurricaneHousing.net Relief.WelcomeWagon.com -- Find a REALTOR State/Province Alabama Alaska Alberta Arizona Arkansas British Columbia California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District Of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Manitoba Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Ontario Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming From the National Association of REALTORS ® Join REALTORS® in supporting hurricane victims Why Use a REALTOR® With a GRI? Make the most of every moment with FamilyTime, an interactive DVD celebrating the family. Visit REALTOR® Magazine Online Read current NAR Press Releases For REALTORS ® REALTORS Relief Effort exceeds $5.2 million for Hurricane victims, donate now... Enter the Business Success Zone at REALTOR.org! Find out how REALTOR.com can help you secure more listings, sell homes for more and promote yourself and your brand NEW name for NAR member benefits offeringsthe REALTOR Benefits(sm) Program. Learn about the practical, everyday solutions for your professional and personal life! Reach new levels of success with NAR partner, The Pacific Institute! About the National Association of REALTORS ® Representing Home Owners State & Local Associations Real Estate Specialty Organizations Find an Appraiser Find a Commercial Property International Real Estate Search in popular metros: Atlanta | Austin | Boston | Chicago | Dallas | Denver | Houston | Las Vegas | Long Island | Los Angeles | Memphis | Miami | New York City | Orange County | Palm Beach | Phoenix | Sacramento | San Diego | Seattle Site Map | Corporate News & Info | Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Join our staff Terms of Use and PrivacyPolicy . 1995- NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS and Homestore, Inc. All rights reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity REALTOR.com is the official site of the National Association of REALTORS and is operated by Homestore, Inc. REALTOR -- A Registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Inquiries regarding the Code of Ethics should be directed to the board in which a REALTOR holds membership.

home loan. The home

Home Loan Information - Mortgage and Loan Place contact us home Useful Home Loan Information Many people spend a great deal of time looking for their home, but neglect to spend much time researching their home loan. The home loan will be a larger purchase than your home, so it is advisable to educate yourself and get as much help a possible when determining what type of loan to get and what lender to use. The sites below will help you find the best rates on a home loan and provide answers to any questions you might have. Get a variety of home loan information from Interest .com . They provide a plethora of Home Loan information as well as other information regarding new home purchases. The site will help you ensure that you get the best deal on your home and your home loan. Plus, there is a Home Buyer's Guide that is available for download and will provide you with valuable home buying tips. Home Loans Home Loan for Australians . Get a variety of information on a home loan if you are located in Australia. You can find Home Loans by state and other state financial information at Propel Home Loans. Check out the Freddie Mac site for a variety of information about home loans. Freddie Mac was chartered by Congress to help ensure there is money for lenders to loan for families to purchase homes. VA Closing Costs The typical closing costs associated with a VA loan include the following: Reasonable amounts for any or all of the Itemized Fees and Charges designated by the VA. A 1% flat fee charged by the lender Reasonable discount points The VA funding fee Itemized Fees and Charges may include the following: VA appraisal and compliance inspections of the property (The veteran cannot pay for an appraisal requested by the lender or seller.) Recording Fees Credit Report Prepaid Items Hazard Insurance Flood Zone Determination Survey Title Examination and Title Insurance Special Mailing Fees for Refinancing Loans Other Fees authorized by the VA The 1% lenders flat fee is designed to reimburse the lender for all fees and costs not covered in the Itemized Fees and Charges. Examples of items that would fall within the realm of this fee are as follows: Lenders appraisals and inspections, except in construction loan cases Loan closing or settlement fees Document preparation fees Preparation of loan papers or conveyance fees Attorneys service that does not include title work Photographs of the property Interest rate lock in fees Postage or other mailing charges, telephone calls, etc. Escrow fees or charges One of the closing costs of a VA loan that is not associated with a normal loan is the funding fee. The funding fee is used in order to fund the VA home equity program, and it is required to be paid by the veteran on every VA loan, with some exceptions. Exemption include veterans receiving compensation for service related disabilities, veterans entitled to receive compensation for service related disabilities if they were not receiving retirement pay, and surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from service related disabilities. Other Loan Links: Lenders for Loans For Sale By Owner Home Buyers Search Engine Red Chimney Real Estate Agents Mortgages VA Loans Home Loans Debt Consolidation Refinancing Apply Now!

Sell House

Tips for Selling Your Home Getting Your House Ready To Sell | Home Page | Search Our Listings | Tips for Selling | Why Advertise | List Your Home | Links | Enter Keyword Here These are tips that won't cost a lot but can make a big difference on the appearance of your home. It is amazing how just a little attention to the details will add that special appeal that the buyer is looking for! Pre-listing Inspection. Having your home inspected by a professional home inspector before you list is a recommendation from Dennis DiVito of Apex Home Inspections, LLC . Eventually your buyers are going to conduct a home inspection. You may as well know what they are going to find by getting there first. Having an inspection performed ahead of time helps in many other ways: It allows you to see your home through the eyes of a critical third-party. It helps you to price your home realistically. It permits you to make repairs ahead of time so that ... Defects won't become negotiating stumbling blocks later. You have the time to get reasonably priced contractors or make the repairs yourself, if you are qualified. It may encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency. It may alert you of items of immediate personal concern, such as radon gas or active termite infestation (not all inspectors offer these extra services, you can check for radon yourself). It may relieve buying prospect's concerns and suspicions. It reduces your liability by adding professional supporting documentation to your disclosure statement. Alerting you to immediate safety issues before agents and visitors tour your home. Copies of the inspection report along with receipts for any repairs should be made available to potential buyers. Be sure the inspector you use is insured and licensed or certified (if your state requires) or at least belongs to a professional organization such as NACHI, ASHI, NIBI. You can find an inspector nationwide at FindanInspector.us Clean up the outside. Curb appeal is the first impression of your house. Keeping the grass cut and the area tidy will help make a great first impression. Paint or wash the exterior of the house (including window casings, shutters, and doors). Wash the windows inside and out. Check the gutters and chimney. Touch up the interior. Put a fresh coat of paint in the most used areas of the home. This will clean as well as brighten up the rooms. Wash the walls where paint is not appropriate (i.e. wall paper, paneling). Wash all floors and bathroom tiles. Shampoo dirty carpets. Get rid of clutter. Clean out your closets, garage, basement and attic. Use self storage if necessary. Replacing air filters will help keep the dust down. Replace bathroom and kitchen fixtures that are worn or leaking. People will notice a leaking or worn-out faucet. By replacing these items, you will give a new look to the room. Clean under the sinks. If there is any leaks fix them. Then clean up the damage using contact paper or paint. Get rid of any bad smells in your home. Pay attention to pet or cigarette odors. Place scented potpourri around the house. On the day you're expecting a potential buyer, pop a batch of frozen cinnamon rolls or home-made bread into the oven for a great aroma. Use a title company to handle the closing. A title company can handle the title search and paper work for a very small fee. It is well worth the cost. Other Great Resources FSBO How-To is a complete do-it-yourself home selling guide. Sell without an agent and save thousands. Click Here for the "FSBO How-To" eBook! Becoming A Fsbo-For Sale By Owner - A guide for the preparation and sale of your home. The Bowen Family Homes commitment to the American family is unprecedented in the building industry, from our architectural designs and choice of community locations to our exceptional home warranties. Having a new house built? Get involved in the building process of your home! - HOMEBUYER FRIENDLY system provides you with a step by step guide to self-inspection of your new home or addition. Electronic Appraiser's Online Article: Our first article is geared towards sellers who are listing their home with an agent . The article focuses on why its important for a home owner to know the value of their property prior to letting the selling agent set the asking price. Electronic Appraiser's Online Article: The next article was written for consumers who are taking the FSBO Challenge and are trying to sell their homes on their own. It highlights how an automated valuation report can provide them with valuable information they need when putting their home on the market. Electronic Appraiser's Online Article: The third article is geared towards home buyers. No one likes to pay too much for a property and the article explains how home buyers can have added negotiating power when they bring our product to the negotiation table. Home Loan Refinancing from Mortgage Research Center Local Rate Source - Get up to 4 quotes from local lenders! Get a Low Interest Home Loan Free Home Equity Loan Quotes Download quality real estate forms designed by attorneys. Click here! Home Sales Packages - Legal Forms for Home Sales and Contract of Sales Downloadable Legal and Business Forms Buying or Selling? Find Out Whats Worth! ElectronicAppraisers online Home Valuation reports, give instant accurate results. Get Your Home's Value Plan To Sell A Home? Compare REALTORs first! REALTORS- More leads = more $$$$. Get leads now! Save on REALTOR Fees. Let listing agents compete for your business! Review REALTORS Anonymously Guaranteed lowest cost Home Equity Loans Improvements Catalog Improvements Newsletter We have found a great web site that provides insider's information to help you avoid the many potential pitfalls of having a new home built. Click here to visit Home Building Pitfalls Search for homes from $10,000 at Bargain.com ! New members search FREE! Click here for Bargain.com ! House n Home Building Cost Guide - House n home building provides a guide to build your home, house construction cost guide, new residential and will save your thousands. Post Your FREE Resume Today to attract top employers! Save $50.00 and fill a job fast on Monster.com! Saving for College with Upromise is Easy! Square Footage: Bedrooms: Bathrooms: min: 0 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2250 2500 2750 3000 3250 3500 3750 4000 4500 5000 6000 7500 1 2 3 4 5+ 1 1-2 2-3 3+ max: 0 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2250 2500 2750 3000 3250 3500 3750 4000 4500 5000 6000 7500 7500+ | Home Page | Search Our Listings | Tips for Selling | Why Advertise | List Your Home | Links | Visitors to This Page Since December 16, 2001: Free counters provided by Andale . For comments on this page please contact the Webmaster for Sold By Owner. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: Sold By Owner does NOT sell real estate. Sold By Owner only provides space for advertising homes that are being sold by the property owner. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

Denver Real Estate Site

Denver real estate; financial glossary Financial terms glossary Common Mistakes to Avoid Home buying mistakes can be avoided, you need to know what some of them are. Getting a Loan Follow these steps prior to applying for your home loan. The Mortgage Loan Application A few minutes of preparation can save you hours of hassle, here's the list of what you will need. Interest Rates Lock in your rate with confidence, after you have read these facts. Loan Approval What constitutes as loan approval in Denver? Earnest Money Why is it necessary to pay earnest money before I buy the house? Closing Costs Home buying costs vary by region, here are sample costs for Denver. Down payment for a mortgage Learn about the various allowable sources to obtain your down payment. What is PMI? PMI, do you really need it? FICO Scores FICO scoring is a standard, you need to understand the basics to protect your credit! The steps to getting a VA Loan The steps to getting a VA loan, do you need one? What does it take to get one? Reverse Mortgages Reverse Mortgages have many benefits for older home owners. search Denver Real Estate Site Glossary of Financial Terms Amortization - The gradual reduction of debt by means of periodic payments sufficient to pay principal and interest and thereby liquidate the debt. ARM - Adjustable Rate Mortgage. A loan where the interest rate can change according to the index, caps, and margin. Appraisal - An unbiased, professional estimate of a property's value based on style, appearance, quality of construction, improvements, usefulness, and the comparable value of nearby properties. Balloon Mortgage - A short term loan, usually 5 to 7 years, that features a fixed interest rate, and a final large balloon payment for balance of the mortgage. Borrower - A person who receives funds in the form of a loan with the obligation of repaying the loan in full with interest, if applicable. Broker - One who, for a commission or fee, brings parties together and assists in negotiating contracts between them. In real estate transactions, the broker usually brings together the buyer and the seller. Caps - The maximum or minimum amount by which the interest rate on an adjustable rate mortgage can change over each adjustment and over its life. For example a 2/6 cap means that the ARM cannot adjust more than 2% up or down each adjustment, or 6% from the start rate during its life. Chattel - Personal property. Closing - The final settlement of the transfer of property. Involves the buyer's signing the mortgage note and an exchange of title. Closing Agent - Assures that all documentation related to the sale of a house has been completed properly, including the title search and title insurance. The closing agent explains all closing documents to the buyer and the seller, obtains their signatures where necessary, and records the documents. Closing Costs - Fees and other charges paid by the buyer and seller at closing. Closing Statement - A financial disclosure giving an account of all funds received and expected at the closing, including the escrow deposits for taxes, hazard insurance, and mortgage insurance. Co-Borrower - The person who is sharing the mortgage responsibility with the borrower. Contingency - A clause within an Offer to Purchase or within the Contract For Sale that requires a certain condition be met before proceeding t closing. Contract - An agreement between two or more parties to do or not to do a particular thing. Contract for Sale - AKA: Conditional Sales Contract - A sales contract whereby the borrower has possession of the property, but seller retains ownership of the property until the buyer has fulfilled the obligations put forth in the contract. Conventional Mortgage - A Mortgage not insured by the government, such as FHA or VA. Counter Offer - The offer made by one party (buyer or seller) in response to an offer presented by the other. Credit Report - A report to a prospective lender on the credit standing of a prospective borrower, used to help determine credit worthiness. Debt-To-Income Ratio - Long-term debt expense as a percentage of monthly income. Deed - The instrument that transfers title from the seller to the buyer. Down Payment - The buyer's payment to the seller at closing for a percentage of the purchase price required by the buyer's mortgage loan. Earnest Money - Money paid by the buyer to the seller at the time the Offer to Purchase is presented. Generally, earnest money is applied to the purchase price. Equity - The home owner's interest in a property. It is different between fair market value and the current amount the owner owes on the property. Fair Market Value - The price at which a property is transferred between a willing buyer and a willing seller, each of whom has a reasonable knowledge of all pertinent facts and neither being under any compulsion to buy or sell. FHA - Federal Housing Administration - A division of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Its main activity is the insuring of residential mortgage loans made by private lender. FHLMC - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation - A private corporation created by Congress to support the secondary mortgage market. It sells participation certificates secured by pools of conventional mortgage loans, their principal and interest guaranteed by the federal government through FHLMC. Popularly known as Freddie Mac. First Mortgage - A mortgage that is a first lien on the property pledged as security. FNMA - Federal National Mortgage Association - A private corporation created by Congress to support the secondary mortgage market. FNMA sells mortgage - backed securities backed by pools of conventional loans. Payment of principal and interest on these securities is backed by the US Government. Popularly known as Fannie Mae. Gross Monthly Income - The amount of consistent and stable income that an individual receives each month. averaged over a period of time. This amount includes overtime pay, bonuses, commissions, and income from dividends and interest, provided that the individual can show a consistent history of receiving such income. Hazard Insurance - A contract whereby, for an agreed premium, one party undertakes to compensate the other for loss on a specific subject by specified hazards, such as acts of God or war. Homeowners Association - An organization of homeowners residing within a particular development whose major purpose is to maintain and provide community facilities and services for the common enjoyment of the residents. Housing Expense Ratio - A home owner's percentage of their monthly income. Index - A published financial benchmark used to help determine the interest rate for an adjustable rate mortgage on its adjustment. The margin is added to it. Interest - Money paid for the use of money - that is, money paid for a loan. Loan-To-Value Ratio - The relationship between the amount of a home loan and the total value of the property. For example if you receive a loan of $95,000 on ah home that costs $100,000, the loan-to-value ratio is 95%. Margin - The amount added to the index to help determine the new interest rate of an adjustable rate mortgage. Mortgage Insurance - A policy that allows mortgage lenders to recover part of their financial losses if a borrower fails to fully re-pay a loan. Mortgage insurance makes it possible to buy a home with as little as 5% down. Offer To Purchase - A legally-binding, written contract that declares how much a buyer will pay for a house, provided certain condition are met. Origination Fee - Similar to a point, it is a fee paid to lenders for originating the mortgage. PITI - Principle, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance - the four main parts of a monthly mortgage payment. Planned Unit Development -(PUD) - A subdivision having lots or areas owned in common and reserved for the use of some or all of the owners of the separately owned lots. Discount Points - One point equals one percent of the total mortgage amount. This is a fee paid to lenders to get lower rate on the mortgage. Pre-Approval - Having the loan processed, underwritten, and obtaining loan approval before an Offer to Purchase has been accepted by a seller. Pre-Qualify - Preliminary indications on how large a mortgage a buyer can quality for. Qualify - Ability to meet a lender's mortgage approval requirements. Servicer - After a mortgage loan closes, the loan servicer collects the payments, manages escrow accounts, pays taxes and insurance, and manages delinquent payments. Lenders may often sell or "release" servicing to another business, which means that a home buyer will not necessarily send house payments to the original lender. Title - The right of ownership and possession of a property. Title Insurance - A policy that protects a buyer against errors or omissions or defects in the title of the property. Veterans Administration - (VA)An independent agency of the federal government created in 1930. The VA home loan guaranty program is designed to encourage lenders to offer long-term, low down payment mortgages to eligible veterans by guaranteeing the lender against loss Home Buying Directory Buyer Broker Down Payment How to Qualify for a Mortgage Loan Application Locking in Interest Rate Earnest Money Loan Application Checklist Fico Scores Moving List Moving Pets What is PMI? Finance Glossary Financing Your Home Reverse Mortage Home Buying Process Closing Costs Kristal Kraft , ABR, CIPS, CRS Licensed real estate broker selling Colorado Since 1984 The Berkshire Group Realtors, Inc. 3801 E. Florida Ave, Suite 502, Denver, Colorado U.S.A. 80210 800-319-7738 toll free | 303-589-2022 direct | 720-554-7961 fax E-mail: Kristal Kraft, Realtor 1998-2005, © Reflective Motion Inc. | Privacy Policy | Site Credits | Disclaimer | Site Map ~2 ~3 ~4 Denver Relocation | Buy a Home In Denver | Sell a Home in Denver | Denver Map | Denver Neighborhood Profiles | Denver Sales Statistics | International Real Estate | A Bio | My Favorite Places | Real Estate Resources Denver Loft Homes | The Berkshire Group | Buy and Sell Denver | We Sell Denver | Denver Colorado Real Estate | Denver Blog