Mortgage Glossary

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Earnest Money

Cash to be paid by the buyer at closing.

Easement

A right created by grant, reservation, agreement, prescription, or necessary implication, which one has in the land of another.

Eminent Domain

A government right to acquire private property for public use by condemnation, and the payment of just compensation.

Encroachment

Construction onto the property of another, wall, fence, etc.

Encumbrance

Unauthorized intrusion of a building or improvement onto another's land. A claim, line charge, attached to and binding real property.

Equity

The difference between the market value of the property and the homeowner’s mortgage debt.

Escrow

It can be the delivery of a deed by a grantor to a third party for delivery to the grantee upon the occurrence of a contingent event. Escrows include funds given to a third party to be held until a specific occurrence; may refer to earnest money deposit; can also include a lender collecting and paying the taxes and insurance on behalf of the borrower.

Escrow Payment

That portion of a mortgagor's monthly payment held in trust by the lender to pay for taxes mortgage insurance, hazard insurance, lease payments, and other items as they become due, also known as "impounds" in some state.

Escrow Reimbursement

An assumption or wrap loan transaction, the buyer reimburses the seller for the current balance of his escrow (or impounded) funds.

Estimated Closing Cost Statement

Listing agreement in which only the listing office can sell the property and keep the commission. If the owner sells the house, the listing office would not receive any commission.

Exclusive Agency

A testator who leaves real estate.

Exclusive Right-to-Sell

Listing agreement under which the owner promises to pay a commission if the property is sold during the listing period by anyone, even the owner.