GLOSSARY ( F )

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Fair market value The price offered to purchase property acceptable to the seller and buyer.
   
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) A Federal law which requires a lender who is rejecting a loan request because of adverse credit information to inform the borrow of the source of such information.
   
Fair Housing Laws Federal, state, and local laws, particularly Title VIII of the 1968 Civil Rights Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which forbid discrimination because of race, sex, color, religion, or national origin, in the selling or renting of homes or apartments, and in other specified transactions. These laws have been recently been expanded to include familial status (having children) and disabilities (Americans with Disabilities Act).
   
Fair Market Value That price a property will bring given that both buyer and seller are fully aware of market conditions and comparable properties.
   
Fair Credit Reporting Act A consumer protection law that regulates the disclosure and use of consumer credit information, establishes rules for credit reporting to consumer credit reporting agencies, and establishes procedures for a consumer to view his or her credit report and correct mistakes on it.
   
Federal Home Loan Board The board which charters and forbids discrimination in the sale.
   
Federal Tax Lien A lien attached to property for nonpayment of a federal tax.
   
Federal Home Board The board which charters and regulates federal savings and loan associations, as well as controlling the system of Federal Home Loan Banks.
   
Federal National Mortgage Association - FNMA (FANNIE MAE) A taxpaying corporation created by Congress to support the secondary mortgage market. It purchases and sells residential mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (VA) as well as conventional home mortgages. It operates pursuant to a federal charter and is the nation's largest source of financing for home mortgages and is subject to supervision by HUD. It adds liquidity to the mortgage market by investing in home loans through the country. It is a New York Stock Exchange company and the largest non-bank financial services company in the world.
   
Federal Fair Housing Law Refers to Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act, and stipulates that discrimination based on race, color, sex, familial status, handicap, religion, or national origin is illegal in connection with the sale or rental of most dwellings
   
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) An agency of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Its main activity is the insuring of residential mortgage loans made by private lenders. The FHA sets standards for construction and loan underwriting but does not lend money or plan or construct housing.
   
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) The federal agency that helps individuals purchase housing and insures loans through private lending institutions.
   
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation - FHLMC (FREDDIE MAC) A corporation authorized by Congress. It purchases residential mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (VA) as well as conventional home mortgages. It sells participation certificates whose principal and interest are guaranteed by FHLMC.
   
Fee Simple An unconditional, unlimited estate of inheritance that represents the greatest estate and most extensive interest in land that can be enjoyed. It is of perpetual duration. When the real estate is in a condominium project, the unit owner is the exclusive owner only of the air space within his or her portion of the building (the unit) and is an owner in common with respect to the land and other common portions of the property.
   
Fee Appraisal The act or process of estimating values of real estate or any interest therein for a fee.
   
Fee Simple Estate The most complete form of ownership of real property; absolute ownership. Commonly used to denote a property where the owner has undivided title to the land on which the property is situated.
   
FHA Mortgage Insurance Requires a fee (up to 2.25% of the loan amount) paid at closing to insure the loan with FHA. In addition, FHA mortgage insurance requires an annual fee of up to 0.5% of the current loan amount, paid in monthly installments. The lower the down payment, the more years the fee must be paid.
   
FHA Loan A loan which has been insured by the federal government guaranteeing its payment in case of default by the borrower.
   
FHA Coinsured Home Loan A loan (under FHA Section 244) for which the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the originating lender share the risk of loss in the event of the borrower's default.
   
FHA - Federal Housing Administration Part of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It was established in 1934 to encourage improvement in housing standards and communities. The FHA insures mortgage loans.
   
FHA Home Loan A mortgage home loan that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Also known as a government loan.
   
FHA Financing A loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and made by an approved lender in accordance with the FHA's regulations. FHA requires that the property being purchased meets certain minimum standards. This mortgage may be easier to qualify for than a conventional mortgage, but it also has a lower maximum loan limit that varies depending on the average cost of housing in a given region. FHA loans require the borrower to pay mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) if the down payment is less then 20%. Fixed and adjustable rates are available with FHA loans.
   
FHA Mortgage A mortgage that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Also referred to as a "government" mortgage.
   
Fiduciary The relationship of trust, honesty and confidence between agent and principal; the faithful relationship owed by an agent to the principal.
   
Filing Status Please enter here whether you file your income taxes as single, married, separated or head-of household.
   
Financial Index An agreed upon basis for making interest rate changes on an adjustable rate mortgage. One example of a financial index could be the cost of U.S. Treasury Bonds. Fixed Rate The interest rate does not change during the entire term of the loan.
   
Firm Commitment A lender's agreement to make a loan to a specific borrower on a specific property.
   
First Mortgage A mortgage which is in first lien position, taking priority over all other liens (which are financial encumbrances).
   
Fixed Period ARM Provides a fixed rate for 3, 5, 7 or 10 years then adjusts annually based on a financial index for the remaining loan term.
   
Fixed Rate Mortgage A mortgage with an interest rate that stays the same (fixed) over the life of the mortgage. Monthly payments for a fixed rate mortgage are very stable and will not change.
   
Fixed Installment The monthly payment due on a mortgage loan. The fixed installment includes payment of both principal and interest.
   
Fixture Personal property which has been attached to real estate so as to become part of the real property. The article must meet at least one of three conditions: 1. Attached in a permanent manner. 2. Specially adapted to the property. or 3. Intentionally made part of the real property.
   
Flood Insurance Insurance that compensates for physical property damage resulting from flooding. It is required for properties located in federally designated flood areas.
   
Flood Check A survey conducted to determine whether a property is in a flood zone.
   
Foreclosure The legal process by which a borrower's interest in mortgaged property is taken because of a default on the loan. This usually involves a forced sale of the property at public auction with the proceeds of the sale being applied to the mortgage debt.
   
Forfeiture The loss of money, property, rights, or privileges due to a breach of legal obligation.
   
Fraud A misstatement of a material fact made with intent to deceive or made with reckless disregard of the truth, and which actually does deceive.
   
Front Foot One linear foot (12 inches) along the street side of a lot.
   
Full Disclosure Revealing all the known facts which may affect the decision of a buyer or tenant.
   
Functional Obsolescence Loss of value of real property caused by modernization or changing tastes or standards; e.g. single bath, inadequate closet space, etc.


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