Glossary

A-B

C-E

F-J

K-M

N-S

T-Z

First Mortgage

A mortgage that gives the holder of the mortgage (the mortgagee) first claim on any proceeds from the sale of the property.

Fixed Rate Mortgage

A mortgage on which the interest rate does not change for a specified period, which may be for the entire term of the loan or a shorter period.

Guarantee

A promise by one party to answer for the debt or default of another.

Guarantor

A party who agrees to be held responsible for the payment of another party's debt.

Income Statement

An analysis or statement of income and expenditure over a period of time, usually a year.

Interest

A charge for the use of funds. Interest on a loan is what the lender charges the borrower for the use of the money lent.

Interest Only

An arrangement, usually for a period of one to five years, whereby payments are made to cover the interest component only, and not the principal.

Interest Rates

The annual rate of interest of a loan, expressed as a percentage per annum (sometimes referred to an "annual percentage rate").

Investment Property

A property purchased to produce income by way of rent, rather than for personal occupation.

Joint Tenants

The holding of land by two or more persons where there is a right of survivorship. For example, on the death of one joint owner, the land as a whole vests in the survivors and can only be disposed of by the will of the last surviving owner.