Loan rates

A loan to value ratio is an indicator determined by dividing a loan amount by the value of the assets or property for the purchase of which the loan is taken. In simple terms, a loan to value ratio (LTV) shows what share in the cost of the property to be purchased on credit represents the loan. LTV exceeding 80% is considered to be one that is associated with higher risks, so lenders usually force the borrower to insure such a loan.

A loan recast is the payment of a fixed amount during the term of the loan agreement aimed to cover the principal of the loan so as to reduce subsequent monthly payments for the remainder of the term of the agreement. Generally, a loan recast is used in mortgage lending by people who suddenly received a large sum of money (e.g., an inheritance).

A USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) loan is a mortgage loan with no down payment issued to U.S. citizens for the purchase of real estate in rural and suburban areas. As a rule, the target audience of USDA loans are people with incomes below average, who cannot afford to buy a house in urban areas, as well as people who, for some reason, are unable to conclude a standard mortgage agreement.

Broadly speaking, a lender or a creditor is a loan provider, that is a person or legal entity giving funds to a borrower on the condition that they will be returned within a certain period of time and in a certain amount. The basis on which the borrower must satisfy the creditor is the contract, which specifies all the conditions under which the creditor provides the funds to the borrower. The lender has the option of assigning a loan to another person. In such a case, however, he or she must notify the borrower.

In essence, a loan estimate is the same thing as a loan disclosure, only in a preliminary form and solely for introductory purposes. It is a document containing detailed information on the selected loan proposal, including the interest rate, term, repayment schedule, etc.

The repayment period is one of the key issues when choosing an offer. Without going into detail, it depends entirely on the type of loan, the terms and conditions specified in the agreement, as well as on how regularly you will repay the loan. In addition, some loans can be repaid before the maturity date, while in others prescheduled repayment is strictly punishable by creditors.

Each banking institution has its own procedures, rules and methodologies for examining and analyzing the creditworthiness of a potential borrower applying for a loan. The underwriting procedure results in a positive decision on the loan application or refusal to grant a loan, or a compromise decision: granting a loan, but in the amount and/or under the conditions that are favorable to the bank, even if they differ from the client's expectations. That is, a credit underwriter is a specialist who makes such decisions.

A credit line loan is a method of lending in which a borrower is entitled to receive and use the funds within an allocated period of time, with a disbursement limit and/or a debt limit. The credit line agreement includes an obligation of the bank to provide a loan to the borrower within a certain period of time under agreed terms and conditions.

A loan assumption is the transfer of a borrower's rights and obligations under a loan agreement to another person or legal entity. In the case of a mortgage contract, the buyer of the real estate can replace the original borrower to the lender and act in his or her place under the loan agreement.

A recourse loan or debt entails personal liability of the borrower. A non-recourse loan does not allow the lender to claim anything other than collateral. For example, if someone fails to repay a non-recourse mortgage loan, athe lender may only foreclose on the real estate that was the collateral.

A jumbo loan is a mortgage that exceeds a certain limit set by the U.S. government. It should be noted that the specific value for a loan to be called jumbo varies for each state, mortgage type, and year. For example, in 2021, the limit on an FHA loan for a single-family property in many states is $548,250.

A loan pre-approval is an agreement in principle by a particular lender to lend a specified amount to a particular borrower on exact terms and conditions. In fact, a loan pre-approval is a preliminary stage prior to the lender's final approval and signing of the loan agreement.

Credit is an economic contractual relationship in which one party receives money, goods or property from the other party, not prohibited by the relevant legislation, and promises to provide reimbursement (payment) or return the resources in the future. In fact, credit is the legal formulation of an economic obligation.