Glossary

A-B

C-E

F-J

K-M

N-S

T-Z

Portability

Where a lender allows for an existing property mortgaged to it to be substituted with a new property. Usually subject to terms and conditions, and payment of a fee.

Prepayment Fee

A charge imposed by a lender on a borrower who wants to pre-pay part or all of a loan.Principal Amount of debt, excluding interest.

Redraw

Access to additional payments made into a variable and sometimes a fixed-rate loan.

Refinancing

The process of paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan using the same property as security.

Repayment Frequency

The frequency with which you make repayments on your loan (e.g., weekly, fortnightly, monthly).

Security

The asset that the lender uses as collateral for the loan. The asset is not released until the loan is repaid in full.

Settlement

A meeting at which a sale of a property is finalised and title to the property passes from the vendor to the purchaser.

Split Loan

See Combination Loan above.

Stamp Duty

A state government tax. In the sale of real estate, it is calculated according to the sale value. In all states (but not the territories), stamp duty is payable on a mortgage and is calculated according to the loan amount secured by the mortgage.

Strata Title

Generally, this term refers to the subdivision of airspace above the land - you own part of the building, not the land it is built on. Applies to units, apartments and some townhouses. The meaning of this term varies to some extent from state to state