An appraisal gap occurs when a home appraisal comes in lower than an accepted offer. Learn more about what an appraisal gap is and how this process works.

Amortization schedules your mortgage payments and tracks what the money goes toward. Learn how amortization works in real estate for different loans

HUD is an acronym for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Learn how HUD works, what it does and how it helps aspiring home buyers.

A mortgage credit certificate (MCC) is a tax credit that can help homeowners save on their tax bill. Learn if you’re eligible for an MCC and how to apply.

An easement in gross gives a person the right to use a parcel of land owned by someone else. Read more about easements in gross and how they work.

Joint tenancy is a legal agreement where two or more people have equal rights and ownership interests in a property. Learn how it works and the pros and cons.

A promissory note is a repayment agreement between a borrower and lender, but how does it differ from a loan? Read on to see how promissory notes work.

A bad title can cause complications and turn your dream home into a nightmare. Use this guide to learn how title insurance can protect your property purchases.

Don’t get lost in a legal maze trying to detangle the ins and outs of foreclosure. Use our guide to confidently navigate the process and steer clear of scams.

Ready to apply for a mortgage and wondering if you should pay an origination fee? Find out how this common charge can actually save you money in the long run.

A chattel mortgage is an option for purchasing a manufactured home where the home secures the loan. See how chattel loans differ from traditional mortgages.

Earnest money protects buyers and sellers in a real estate transaction. Learn how an earnest money deposit works and how it can also make your offer stand out.

An interest rate floor is the lowest agreed-upon rate for floating-rate loan products. Learn how interest rate floors work and uncover some examples.

Manual underwriting is one of the ways a lender can review your loan application for approval. Learn more about what this means for you and your loan.

Regulation Z protects borrowers by requiring that lenders provide important loan information like terms and APR. See how Reg Z works and what it enforces.

A quiet title action is a legal process that determines the true owner of a property. Understand when and why you may need to “quiet” challenges to your title.

An interest rate cap limits how much your interest rate will rise on an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). Find out more about rate caps and how they work.