The Learning Center

Glossary

Radon

A naturally appearing radioactive gas found in some buildings, that, in sufficient concentrations, may cause health problems.

Rate

The annual rate of interest for a loan. Also called the interest rate.

Rate Change Cap

The maximum amount that an interest rate can change, either at an adjustment period or over the entire life of the loan. Commonly associated with an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM).

Rate Improvement Mortgage

A fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) that includes a clause allowing the borrower the option to reduce the interest rate one time (without refinancing) during the first few years of the loan term.

Rate Lock

An agreement by a lender to guarantee the interest rate offered for a mortgage provided that the loan closes within the specified period of time.

Rate of Interest

Same as interest rate.

Real Estate Agent

A person licensed to negotiate the purchase and sale of real estate on behalf of buyers and sellers.

Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)

A consumer protection law that requires mortgage lenders and brokers to give borrowers advance notice of closing costs in the form of a Good Faith Estimate.

Real Property

Land and anything permanently affixed to the land, including structures, trees, minerals, and the interest, benefits and rights thereof.

Realtor®

A real estate broker or associate who is an active member of a local real estate board that is affiliated with the National Association of Realtors.

Recission

The cancellation of a contract by law or consent by the parties involved.

Reconveyance

In some states, the process of the borrower obtaining title to the property after the mortgage has been paid in full.

Reconveyance Fee

This fee is charged by title companies or attorneys in some states and covers the cost of removing your current lender's lien from your property title when you refinance.

Recordation Exam

A fee charged by the title company in some states to review documents, to assure they meet the state standards prior to being recorded.

Recordation Tax

A fee charged in some states or counties to record a mortgage or a deed in the official registry.

Recorder

The public official who keeps records of transactions that affect real property in a specific geographic area (usually a county). Often known as a County Recorder or County Clerk.

Recording

The entering in a book of public record the details of a properly executed legal instrument that affects title to real property, thereby making it a part of the public record.

Recording Fees

A fee charged by the local government to record mortgage documents into the public record so that any interested party is aware that a lender has an interest in the property.

Refinance

The process of paying off any existing mortgages on a home with a new mortgage loan.

Regulation Z

The federal regulation that requires a lender to provide borrowers with a disclosure estimating the costs of the loan, including your total finance charge and the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) within three business days of the application for a loan. This act is designed to provide consumers with a standard method of comparing the financing costs from lender to lender.

Rehabilitation Mortgage

A loan granted to cover the costs of repairing or improving an existing property. Sometimes also used to acquire property with the intent to improve it.

Release Fee

The fee charged to release a lien to free real estate from a mortgage.

Remaining Balance

The amount of principal owed on a loan that has not yet been fully repaid.

Remaining Balance

The amount of unpaid principal on a home loan.

Remaining Term

The number of payments left to be made on a loan before it is fully amortized (paid in full).

Remaining Term

The original loan term minus the number of payments made.

Rent Loss Insurance

An insurance policy that protects a landlord against loss of rent or value due to natural casualties that renders the premises unsuitable for use, and therefore excuses the tenant from paying rent.

Repayment Plan

An agreement between a lender and a borrower, made to help the borrower repay delinquent installments.

Replacement Reserve

An amount set aside from net operating income for replacement of short-lived common property in cooperative housing projects such as condominiums.

Rescission

The cancellation of a contract by the operation of a law or by mutual consent. In some circumstances, borrowers have the right to cancel a transaction within three business days after closing.

RESPA

See Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.

Retail Sales

Measures the total receipts of retail stores. Monthly percent changes reflect the rate of changes of such sales. Changes in Retail Sales are widely followed as an indicator of consumer spending.

Reverse Mortgage

A special type of mortgage that enables seniors to convert the equity in their homes into a monthly income stream. Also known as a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM).

Revolving Credit

A credit agreement (typically a credit card) that allows a customer to borrow against a pre-approved credit line when purchasing goods and services. The borrower is only billed for the amount that is actually borrowed plus any interest due.

Right of First Refusal

A contract provision that requires a property owner to give another party the first opportunity to purchase or lease the property before it is offered to others.

Right of Ingress or Regress

The right to enter or leave specific property or premises.

Right of recission

A provision in the federal Truth-in-Lending Act that allows borrowers to cancel certain kinds of loans within three days of signing the final documents.

Right of Survivorship

In joint tenancy, the right of surviving joint tenants to acquire the interest of a deceased joint tenant.