Glossary of Terms

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A

"A" credit customers:
Consumers with impeccable credit, who are able to obtain a loan from traditional lenders. These consumers will have credit scores in excess of 700.

Abstract of Title:
A summary of all the recorded instruments and proceedings that affect the title to property, arranged in the order in which they were recorded.

Accelerate:
To make a debt due and payable at once.

Acceleration Clause:
Language in a contract that secures payments for the full term of the contract.

Accounts Payable:
The amount of money a company owes for goods and services it has received; any outstanding debt that a company has. These are liabilities.

Accounts Receivable:
A collection of a company's outstanding invoices (invoices which have not yet been paid by the company's customers). These are assets.

Accounts Receivable Aging Report:
A report showing how long invoices from each customer have been outstanding. Also called aging summary.

Accounts Receivable Funding:
The process of selling trade invoices and/or commercial billings for cash to a funding source. This applies only to a business’ or professional’s Receivables that are invoiced to customers who are a business, governmental entity, or institution. The creditworthiness of the seller’s clients and customers is the basis for the value of the invoices and not that of the seller of the goods or services. Also called invoice factoring or factoring.

Accrued interest:
Interest that has been earned but is not due and payable.

Acknowledgment:
A formal declaration before an authorized official (usually a notary public) by the person who executed a document stating that he did in fact execute it. The notary public signs and puts his seal on a written statement describing the declaration. This written statement, or acknowledgment, is required on most instruments before they may be recorded.

Advance Rate:
The percentage of the face amount of an income stream that a funding source will advance to a client.

All-Inclusive Contract of Sale, Mortgage or Trust Deed:
See Wrap-Around Contract of Sale, Mortgage or Trust Deed.

ALTA Title Insurance Policy:
A type of title insurance issued to lenders that gives greater coverage than a standard policy by insuring against additional items, such as unrecorded physical easements, unrecorded mechanic's liens, water and mineral rights, facts a physical survey would show, and rights of persons in possession. Formerly called ATA title insurance policy. ALTA is an abbreviation for American Land Title Association, a trade association of title insurance companies.

Amortization:
The gradual, systematic payment of a debt, such as a mortgage or other loan, in installments of principal and interest for a definite time, so that at the end of that time, the debt will have been paid in full.

Amortized Loan:
A loan that is completely paid off in installments.

Amortized Note:
A promissory note that is completely paid off in installments.

Annual Statement:
A statement required by California law statue to be given by a note holder to the payor within 60 days after the end of each year itemizing and accounting for the money received during the year just ended.

Appraisal Report:
The report, written by a real estate appraiser, stating the appraiser's opinion of the value of real property.

Appraised Value:
An estimate or opinion of value at a stated time. The opinion of value expressed by a real estate professional known as a real estate appraiser.

Annuity:
The stream of income or payments from an insurance policy can be sold in its entirety or for a specific term of the annuity. This allows an owner or beneficiary of an annuity to gain access to the entire or a portion of its stream of payments or cash value immediately rather than waiting for it over a series of years.

Articles of Incorporation:
A document filed with a state by the founders of a corporation. After approving the articles, the state issues a Certificate of Incorporation; the two documents together become the Charter of Incorporation.

Assessed Value:
The value placed on property for taxation purpose.

Assessor:
An official who has the responsibility of determining assessed value.

Asset:
Anything having commercial or exchange value that is owned by a business, institution or individual. A business' assets might include its real estate, equipment inventory, intellectual assets such as copyrights or trademarks, and accounts receivable.

Asset Instrument:
A financial document that has a cash value, stream of payments, or lump sum cash value that can be assigned to or purchased by a third party.

Assign:
To transfer title to personal property or a right or claim to another person.

Assignability:
The ability to assign, transfer or sell the rights to receive an income stream to another individual or business.

Assignee:
The person or business entity who is given, obtains, or buys the right to an asset.

Assignment:
The transfer of the rights, title or interest of any debt instrument that is properly owned by another party.

Assignor:
The person giving or selling an asset, and subsequently, forfeiting rights to that asset.

Assume:
To take over the obligation of another, for example, to assume a note and deed of trust.

Assumption Agreement:
An agreement under which a person (usually a buyer) "assumes" (that is, agrees to pay) a note and mortgage or deed of trust on a property.

Auto Note Portfolio:
A collection or grouping of automobile loans, usually held by an auto dealer, private investors, or a finance company, which were used to finance the sale of cars to individuals. The sale of the portfolio can be purchased by a funding source for cash.

B

"B" through "D" credit customers:
These consumers have less than perfect to bad credit and usually cannot qualify for traditional financing. Also called sub-prime credit customers.

Bad Debt:
Any debt that is delinquent and has been written off as uncollectible.

Balance sheet:
A financial statement that shows a business' current financial condition, with assets on the left side and liabilities and net worth on the right side.

Balloon:
The balance of principal that is due and owing in its entirety at a specified point in time, but in any event, less than the time required to fully amortize the debt.

Balloon Payment:
A final installment payment, larger than previous installments, that pays off a debt.

Bankruptcy:
A state of insolvency of an individual or organization. The inability to pay debts or financial obligations.

Bene Statement:
See Beneficiary Statement.

Beneficiary:
The person or party entitled to receive the benefits, or proceeds, of the life insurance policy upon the death of the insured person.

Beneficiary Statement:
A statement by the holder of deed of trust stating the amount of the unpaid principal on the note and other information about the debt. The holder is required to give this statement upon payment of a small fee. Also called an offset statement or a bene statement.

Bill of Lading:
A shipping document which gives instructions to the company transporting the goods.

Bill of Sale:
A document used to transfer the title of certain goods from seller to buyer.

Blanket Mortgage or Blanket Trust Deed:
A mortgage or deed of trust covering more than one piece of property. For example, it may cover an entire subdivision and provide for a partial reconveyance of individual lots as they are sold.

Business-based income streams:
Cash flow instruments that are paid to a business by another business or government.

Business Note:
A business note is created when a business owner sells a business taking back a note; thereby, creating seller financing. The collateral for the note is the business.

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C

Call:
To declare the entire debt due at once.

Cash flow:
The stream of money payments derived from an asset instrument. Cash flow is not necessarily income, but a flow of money from the asset instrument to the owner of the instrument. In business terms, cash flow involves the flow of cash into a company in the form of revenues, and out of the company in the form of expenses.

Cash flow broker:
Professional whose primary purpose is to unite income stream sellers with funding sources. They may operate as referral sources or as the primary liaison for cash flow transactions.

Cash flow industry:
The buying, selling, and brokering of privately held debt in the secondary marketplace; the marketplace where businesses and individuals get help managing their cash flow needs.

Cash flow instrument:
Future payment or series of payments. Also called a debt instrument or income stream.

Cash flow specialist:
A cash flow professional who brokers cash flow transactions or buys cash flow instruments.

Cash flow transaction:
Occurs whenever a funding source pays cash to an individual or business in exchange for an income stream.

Certificate of Discharge:
A written instrument executed by the mortgagee and given to the mortgagor when the debt secured by a mortgage is satisfied to show that the mortgage is released. Sometimes called a release of mortgage.

Certificate of Sale:
A certificate issued to the buyer at an execution sale or judicial foreclosure sale. The holder of the certificate is entitled to a deed if the owner of the property does not redeem it within 1 year.

Chattel mortgage:
A mortgage on personal property, given to secure a debt. Typically used in the sale of a business. Also called a security agreement.

Class Action Award:
The cash value resulting from a class action suit can be sold to a funding source. The financial strength of the defendant in the suit is the measure of the salability of the proceeds from the suit.

Closing Statement:
A statement from an escrow agent given to the parties to an escrow when it closed, accounting for all funds received into and paid out of escrow. Also called a HUD-1.

Collateral:
Something of value (land, a home, a car, etc.) that is pledged as security to ensure the payment of a debt. Collateral is promised to a lender until a loan is repaid. If the borrower defaults, the lender has the right, by law, to seize the collateral.

Collateral Assignment:
An assignment of property for security purposes rather than absolute assignment.

Collateral-based income streams:
Cash flow instruments that are secured by collateral.

Collectibility:
Refers to the funding source's ability to collect future income stream payments once they are purchased.

Commission:
Fee paid to a broker for executing or referring a cash flow transaction.

Community Property:
Property acquired by a husband and wife while married and not separated, except property acquired by gift, will or inheritance and certain other items specified by statute. Any other property owned by a husband or wife is separate property.

Comparison Approach:
See Market Data Approach.

Compound Interest:
Interest computed not only on the principal but also on previously accumulated interest.

Conditional Sale:
A contract for the sale of property stating that although delivery is to be made to the buyer, the title is to remain vested in the seller until the conditions of the contract have been fulfilled.

Conditional Sales Contract:
See Land Contract.

Consideration:
Anything of value given to induce another party to enter into a contract.

Consumer-based income streams:
Cash flows in which the party that owes payments is a consumer, a private individual.

Contingency-based income streams:
Cash flows in which the recipient is not necessarily legally entitled to receive payments, or in which the amount of the payment is uncertain or contingent upon outside factors.

Contract for Deed:
See Land Contract.

Contract of Sale:
See Land Contract.

Conventional Loan:
A loan made without government guarantee.

Conversion:
The process of converting a qualified prospect into an active client.

Conveyance:
A written instrument that transfers title to or an interest in real property.

Corporation:
A legal entity, chartered by a US state or the federal government, and separate and distinct from the persons who own it. It is regarded by the courts as an artificial person; it may own property, incur debts, sue or be sued.

Cosigner:
A person who signs a note as an additional maker to help another maker secure a loan.

Cost Basis:
The aggregate amount an owner pays to acquire an asset plus all capital improvement, if any, less capital losses and depreciation taken.

Credit Report:
A report on a credit applicant from a credit reporting service stating creditors' experience with the applicant and frequently containing information or estimates about the applicant's assets, liabilities and character.

Creditor:
One who is owed payments on a debt by a debtor.

Consumer or Commercial Judgment:
A judgment is created when a court orders a business, individual, or institution to pay a sum of money to the plaintiff resulting from damages incurred by the plaintiff due to the actions or inactions of the defendant. The sale of a judgment provides the cash that the plaintiff may need during the appeal of the verdict and for the payment of attorney fees.

Consumer Retail Installment Contract:
A consumer contract or retail installment contract is based upon debt that is paid by the consumer to the seller of goods and services over a prescribed period of time. These types of debt instruments are sold in portfolios consisting of many like contracts. Some examples of consumer retail installment contracts that qualify for portfolio purchasing are: student loans, time-share memberships, dance and modeling schools tuition, sales training companies fees, cosmetic surgery fees, golf and health club memberships, hearing aid clinics sales contracts, etc.

Current Value:
The value at the time of appraisal.

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D

Debt Financing:
The use of borrowed capital to finance the purchase of property.

Debt instrument:
Future payment or series of payments, or a debt that one party owes to another party. Also known as income streams or cash flow instruments.

Debt Service:
The sum of money needed each month or year to amortize a loan.

Debtor:
One who owes something and makes payments to a creditor.

Declining Principal Loan:
A loan for which interest is calculated each month, quarter, etc., on the remaining balance of the loan.

Deed:
A written instrument transferring title to real property from one person to another.

Deed of Reconveyance:
See Reconveyance Deed.

Deed Of Trust:
A written instrument transferring bare legal title to real property to a trustee to be held as security for an obligation. Also called a trust deed. The accepted form is presented to the trustee for approval before the execution thereof by the trustor and beneficiary and before recordation. The trustee is therefore duty-bound to perform if he accepts. The automatic form is the most widely used form. It contains a provision whereby the trustee named will accept his duties when the trust deed is properly executed, acknowledged, and recorded and provided he has approved the promissory note and deed of trust. The trustee is not usually aware of the appointment until called on to act in case of default by the trustor.

Default:
The omission or failure to perform or fulfill a legal duty, obligation, or promise (i.e. to pay a debt).

Defeasance Clause:
A provision in a mortgage that allows the mortgagor to have his property released from the mortgage when the secured debt is paid.

Deficiency Judgment:
A judgment for the amount left unpaid after a property has been sold at a foreclosure sale when the net proceeds are not sufficient to pay off the loan.

Demand Note:
A note that is payable on demand of the holder.

Discount:
(1) To sell a note for less than the unpaid balance due on it. (2) The dollar difference between the unpaid balance of a note and the price for which a note holder sells the note.

Discount Interest:
Interest that is deducted from the principal amount of the loan in advance by the lender on the first day of the loan, hence increasing the lender's yield.

Discount Points:
A fee, expressed as a percentage of the loan amount, when making a loan. Points increase the yield.

Dragnet Clause:
A clause in a deed of trust that makes it security not only for the present loan but also for any other past or future debt to the beneficiary.

Due diligence:
Exhaustive research on a transaction, income stream, client, and/or payor. Due diligence may involve credit checks, appraisals, UCC searches, lien searches, or on-site visits with clients.

Due-On-Sale Clause:
A clause in a note or deed of trust giving the holder the right to declare the entire debt due and payable if the owner sells or contracts to sell the property. Also called a due-on-alienation clause.

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E

Effective Interest Rate:
The actual cost the borrower pays in interest for his loan. Also called true interest rate.

Encumbrance:
In a legal or technical sense, anything that limits or affects the ownership of property, such as a lien, mortgage, easement or restriction. In the daily language of real estate people, the term usually means a lien.

Endorsement:
A signature placed on the back of a note or check to transfer ownership. An endorsement in blank guarantees payment to later holders. An endorsement without recourse, or qualified endorsement, does not guarantee payment to later holders.

Entity:
A form of business organization.

Equitable Title:
The ownership held by a buyer after he has contracted to buy property but before legal title has been conveyed to him.

Equity:
The value or interest an owner has in property over and above any indebtedness owed on the property.

Equity in Property:
The current market value of a property less the amount of all liens and charges against it.

Equity Loan:
Junior (subordinate) loan based on a percentage of the equity.

Equity of Redemption:
(1) The right of an owner to redeem his property after he has defaulted on a mortgage. (2) In California the term is usually applied to the right of an owner to redeem his property for 1 year after judicial foreclosure sale. Also called right of redemption.

Equity Return or Buildup:
Dollars paid to principal on a loan that reduces the outstanding balance.

Escalation:
The raising of some item, such as the interest rate or size of installment payments. The right to escalate the interest rate or size of payment may be given by contract to the lender under specified conditions.

Escalator Clause:
A clause providing that an item will be adjusted upward or downward under certain conditions. For example, a note may provide that the interest rate goes up or down as the cost of living index rises or falls.

Escrow:
The system by which money documents, personal property, or real property is held in trust for another party by a disinterested third party until the terms and conditions of the escrow instructions are completed or terminated.

Escrow Officer:
An employee of an escrow agent who has the responsibility of handling and closing escrows.

Estoppel Certificate:
An instrument executed by a note payor setting forth the status of and the balance due on the promissory note as of the date of the execution of the certificate.

Extension Agreement:
An agreement giving additional time in which to pay money or perform some other obligation.

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F

Face value:
The current principal balance on an income stream.

Factor:
A funding source that specializes in funding accounts receivable.

Factoring:
The purchase of a business' accounts receivable at a discount.

Fee:
The fullest estate a person may own in real property. It is the estate almost all owners hold. Also called fee simple.

Fictitious Deed of Trust:
A trust deed recorded by a trustee that does not cover an actual transaction. The trustee may then in later deeds of trust refer to the fictitious trust deed and incorporate its terms without repeating them in the part of the trust deed being recorded. This saves recording fees.

Fictitious name:
A legal statement filed when a person uses a name other than his or her own to operate a business.

Finance Change:
The total dollar amount of all charges and interest the lender will make to the borrower over the life of the loan. Includes everything except principal.

Finder's Fee:
A fee agreed to be paid to one person, called a finder, who locates another person, such as a buyer or lender, desired by the party promising to pay the fee. The fee is payable when the deal is consummated. In real estate transactions the finder may introduce the parties, but he may not engage in negotiations unless he holds a real estate broker's or a salesman's license.

First Lien:
The debt recorded first (earliest in time) such as a first mortgage or first deed of trust. This debt has priority as a lien over all other debts. In cases of foreclosure, the first lien will be satisfied before other liens are paid off.

Foreclosure:
A legal proceeding in court to seize property given as security for a debt that is in default.

Foreclosure Sale:
The sale of property in a foreclosure. Most often, it is the sale of the property securing a debt after default in payment.

Free and Clear:
Free means a freehold estate, and in this expression it means a fee title. Clear means there are no money encumbrances against the property. Generally used to refer to a property free of mortgage debt.

Funding source:
An individual investor or an investment company that buys income streams, i.e. pays cash for the value of existing asset instruments.

Future Advance:
Money loaned to a borrower after the execution of a trust deed under a clause making the trust deed security for such later advanced. Obligator future advances are those the lender is required to make under his contract with the borrower. Non obligatory future advances are those the lender is not required to make.

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G

Government-based income streams:
Cash flows paid by a government entity, either directly or through an insurance company.

Grace Period:
Additional time allowed to perform an act or make a payment before default occurs.

Grant:
A term used in deeds of conveyance to indicate a transfer of real property.

Grantee:
The party to whom the title to real property is conveyed by deed; the buyer.

Grantor:
The party who conveys real property by deed; the seller.

Gross Profit Percentage:
Realized gain on the sale or exchange of real property divided by the net sales price of the property. Used to multiply by each year's principal received on a purchase money note to calculate the recognized gain for the year for tax reporting.

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H

Hard Money:
(I) Cash loaned: contrasted with soft money, which means credit extended rather than cash. These expressions are often encountered in such a term as hard-money trust deed. (2) Some people use this term to mean a high-interest loan.

Hazard Insurance:
Insurance against damage to property from physical hazard, such as fire and windstorm.

Holder in Due course:
A person who takes a negotiable instrument, such as a note or check in good faith for value before it is past due and without notice of any defects when it was negotiated to him. Certain defenses that the maker could have claimed against the original payee, such as payment in full or in part, or certain types of fraud cannot be claimed against a holder in due course.

Hypothecation:
Borrowing funds from a lender, investing those funds in a debt instrument, and giving the lender a security interest in the debt instrument as the collateral for the loan.

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I

Income stream:
A future payment or series of payments, or a debt that one party owes to another party. Also known as a debt instrument or cash flow instrument.

Inheritances Advance:
The proceeds of wills, trusts, and estates are sometimes structured for payment over a series of years or as one lump sum payment in the future. The rights to the proceeds from an inheritance and trusts can be sold to a funding source, in whole or in part, so that the beneficiary may have use of the funds now rather than sometime in the future.

Installment Contract:
See Land Contract.

Installment Note:
A promissory note calling for periodic payments.

Installments:
Parts of the same debt, payable at successive periods as agreed

Institutional lenders:
Savings and loan associations, local and regional banks, mortgage companies, finance companies, and commercial lenders.

Instrument:
A writing executed as the expression of some contract, act or proceeding; for example, a deed.

Insurable Interest:
An interest in property such that damage to the property would cause the owner of the interest a financial loss; for example, the interest of a tenant or the holder of a trust deed.

Insurance-based income streams:
Cash flows stemming from insurance companies and paid to individuals or businesses.

Intangible personal property:
Something that has value but is not a tangible asset, for example, a trademark, copyright, patent, or trade secret.

Interest:
(1) Legally, any charge a lender or creditor makes for the use, forbearance or detention of money, no matter how the charge is labeled by the parties. (2) In daily usage, the percentage charged by the lender.

Interest-Only Loan or Note:
A loan or note for which the installment payments are 100% interest; thus the payments do not reduce the principal balance of the loan or note.

Interest Rate:
The charge made for a loan of money or use of credit, expressed as a percentage of the principal.

Investment-to-value ratio:
A measure of how secure a creditor's position is and how likely the creditor is to recoup all of his or her money in the event of a foreclosure. Also called ITV.

Involuntary Lien:
A lien imposed on property without the consent of the owner; for example, real property taxes and judgment liens.

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J

Joint Note:
A note in which there are two or more makers who share equal liability on it.

Joint Tenancy:
Ownership of property by two or more persons, each of whom has an undivided interest with the right of survivorship.

Joint venture:
A business entity established for a specific task, operation, or goal.

Judgment:
A final determination by a court of law. Most often, a judgment is for a sum of money.

Judicial Foreclosure:
Foreclosure through court.

Junior Lien:
An inferior or subordinate lien. For example, a second deed of trust is a junior to a first trust deed.

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L

Land Contract:
A security device used in the sale of real property. The buyer contracts to pay the purchase price in installments. The seller contracts that when the purchase price is paid in full, he will deed the property to the buyer. Until the purchase price is paid in full, the seller keeps legal title. Also called conditional sales contract, contract for deed, contract of sale.

Late Charge:
A specified charge added by a creditor under his note or contract when the debtor makes his payment late or after a certain date.

Lead:
A piece of information of possible use in the search for a prospective client.

Legal Description:
A description of real estate sufficient to allow a competent surveyor to locate the property on the ground.

Level Payments:
Payments of equal size.

Leverage:
The ratio of debt to total assets.

Lien:
A legal right or claim upon a specific property that attaches to the property until debt is satisfied.

Lien Release:
A written agreement by a lien holder releasing the debtor from further obligation.

Limited liability company:
A form of business structure designed to combine the best of corporate and partnership attributes into one entity.

Limited Partnership:
A special type of partnership with one or more general partners who manage the business and are responsible for its debts, and one or more limited partners who take no part in its management and are not responsible for its debts.

Loan-to-value ratio:
A measure of how heavily mortgaged a property is and how likely the owner is to default on his or her debts.

Lock-in-Clause:
A clause in a note, mortgage or trust deed setting a period during which no prepayment is allowed on the loan.

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M

MAI:
A designation for a member of the American Institute of appraisers, a part of the National Association of Realtors. The initials stand for Member of American Institute.

Maker:
The person who signs a note agreeing to pay it. Also called the payor.

Marginal credit customers:
Consumers who may have had some slow pay problems, but generally pay their bills.

Market Data Approach:
An appraisal technique based on sales of comparable properties. Also called comparison approach.

Market price:
The price paid regardless of motives, pressures or intelligence.

Market value:
The price at which a ready, willing, and informed person would buy something; the price property would command in current market conditions.

Marketing:
The process of identifying and communicating with qualified prospects.

Master Broker:
Individual who has been certified and designated by the American Cash Flow Association to work with Certified Cash Flow Consultants.

Mechanic's Lien:
A lien given by statute to persons supplying labor, materials or services to improve real property. To perfect the lien, certain notices and recordings are required.

Medical Receivables:
Like other accounts receivable, medical Receivables are salable to funding sources provided that the payor of the receivable is a company, such as an insurance company, or an institution or governmental body, such as a hospital or Medicare. Receivables of individual patients are not salable on the Secondary Market. Also called Medical Accounts Receivable or MAR.

Mortgage:
A written instrument that creates a lien by pledging real property as security for a debt.

Mortgage Money Market:
The source of financing for real estate. It is divided into two parts: The primary mortgage money market consists of all the sources of loans made directly by lenders; the secondary mortgage money market consists of all buyers of existing real estate loans as collateral.

Mortgage Reduction Certificate:
An instrument executed by the mortgagee, setting forth the status of and the balance due on the mortgage as of the date of the execution of the instrument.

Mortgagee:
The party who lends money and takes a mortgage to secure payment.

Mortgagor:
A person who borrows money and gives a mortgage on his or her property as security for the payment of the debt.

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N

Negotiable Instrument:
An instrument, such as a check or note, that meets certain legal requirements that allow it to be transferred free of most claims the maker had against previous holders.

Nominal Interest Rate:
The rate of interest stated in a note or contract. This may not be the true or effective rate (actual cost) to the borrower.

Non institutional Lender:
A lender that is not an institution, such as retirement funds, endowed universities, and private individuals.

Non-judicial Foreclosure:
A foreclosure by having property sold to satisfy the debt without going through court.

Notary Public:
A person empowered to administer oaths and to attest or certify documents to assure their authenticity.

Note:
An instrument in which one party, the maker or payor, promises to pay a definite sum of money to another, the payee, at a fixed or determinable future time or on demand.

Notice of Default:
A notice that is recorded and is given to certain people entitled to it stating that a trust deed is in default and that the trust deed holder has chosen to have the property sold. This notice starts the running of a 3-month grace period during which the property owner can cure the default by paying up the debt that is past due.

Notice of Pre-lien:
A document notifying the owner of real property that materials or services are being furnished to his real property, putting him on notice that the one sending it will look to have a lien against the real property if those materials or services are not paid for.

Notice of Trustee's Sale:
A notice provided by law requiring the trustee to advertise the property in default, once a week for a period of 21 days, in a newspaper of general circulation.

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O

Obligee:
A person to whom a legal obligation or duty is owed; for example, the payee of a note.

Obligor:
A person who has placed himself under a legal obligation; for example, the maker of a note.

Offset Statement:
See Beneficiary Statement.

Open-End Clause:
A clause that permits the outstanding balance of the loan to be increased by the borrower under the provisions outlined in the agreement.

Open End Deed of Trust or Mortgage:
A trust deed or mortgage that secures not only that original debt but also future advances made after the date of the trust deed or mortgage.

Option:
A Contract that gives one party (the optionee) the right to enter some type of contract upon specified terms with another party (the optionor). Usually, the right to buy the optionor's property or note for a particular price.

Owner financing:
A type of financing in which the seller of a tangible item accepts a promissory note as a portion of the purchase price. Also called seller financing.

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P

Package Deed of Trust or Mortgage:
A trust deed or mortgage secured by both real property and personal property.

Partial Reconveyance:
A reconveyance that releases a part but not all of a tract from the lien of a trust deed.

Partial Release Clause:
A provision in a trust deed, mortgage or land contract that permits the borrower or buyer to secure the release of part of the property by complying with certain terms, such as the payment of a certain sum of money.

Partnership:
A common form of joint ownership of a business.

Partnership Interest:
The sale of a partner’s interest in a business can be caused by the death, disability, retirement, or by the preference of one of the partners. Usually, the interest of a partnership is sold for a lump sum to a funding source.

Payee:
Person or business that has the right to receive a payment or series of payments and is interested in selling that income stream for cash. (Also called the seller or client.)

Payor:
The person, company, or government responsible for making payments on an income stream.

Partial or Partial purchase:
Any part of a payment stream that is less than the full amount due.

Personal guaranty:
A contractual agreement between a funding source and a seller, whereby the seller assumes personal responsibility and liability for the obligations of the income stream.

Point:
1 % of the principal amount of a loan. A lender often charges points when a loan is made, renewed or assumed, to raise the yield on the loan.

Portfolio:
A group or package of income streams of the same type.

Power -of-Sale Clause:
A clause in trust deeds and in some mortgages giving the trustee or mortgagee the right to sell the property that is security for the loan at public sale, without court procedure, if the debtor defaults.

Preliminary Title Insurance Report:
A report by a title insurance company showing the condition of title to a property including liens, restrictions, etc.

Prepayment:
To pay off all or part of a debt before it is due.

Prepayment Clause:
A provision in a note or deed of trust allowing the borrower to pay off all or part of the principal before it is due, with or without a prepayment penalty.

Prepayment Penalty:
A charge provided in a note or deed of trust for the privilege of paying all or part of the debt before it is due.

Primary Financing:
The loan which has first priority; the loan which has its security instrument recorded first.

Primary Mortgage Money Market:
See Mortgage Money Market.

Principal:
The capital amount of a loan, not including interest. The principal portion of an installment payment on a loan reduces the outstanding balance of the loan by the amount of the principal payment.

Principal Plus Interest Loan:
A loan for which the borrower makes a fixed principal payment each period and pays, in addition, interest on the unpaid principal amount of the loan.

Privately held:
Owed to a private individual or business rather than to a bank or other financial institution.

Profit and loss statement:
A financial statement that shows a historical record of a business' income and expenses.

Promissory note:
A written promise to pay a specified amount to a specified party over a certain period of time.

Purchase Money Deed of Trust or Mortgage:
A trust deed or mortgage given to secure all or part of the purchase price of real estate.

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Q

Quitclaim Deed:
A deed that conveys simply the grantor's rights or interest in real estate; generally considered inadequate except when interests are being passed from one spouse to the other.

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R

Rate of Return:
See Yield Rate.

Realized Gain:
Total profit on the sale or exchange of real property. Computed as net sales price less cost basis.

Real property:
Real estate.

Recognized Gain:
The amount of the realized gain on the sale or exchange of real property reportable in a given year on tax returns.

Reconveyance Deed:
A deed from a trustee under a trust deed conveying legal title back to the property owner to release the lien of the trust deed. Also called a deed of reconveyance.

Recordation:
The recording of an instrument in the county recorder's office to give constructive notice of it.

Recourse:
The right to claim against a prior owner of a property or note.

Redemption:
1) The correcting of a default under a trust deed or mortgage by paying the entire indebtedness plus foreclosure costs. (2) The reacquiring (buying back) of property sold at a judicial foreclosure sale by paying the amount for which it was sold plus certain other items specified by statute. See also Equity of Redemption.

Refinance:
To obtain new financing to pay off an existing loan.

Reinstatement:
The curing of a default under a trust deed or mortgage by paying up the amount past due. Reinstatement restores the loan to the status it had before the default.

Release Clause:
A provision in a blanket mortgage or trust deed allowing the owner of the properties to secure the release of properties upon certain terms, usually the payment of $ certain sum of money.

Release of Liability:
A letter or other form of release that relieves a debtor of any further responsibility on his debt or other obligation.

Release of Mortgage:
A written instrument releasing the lien of a mortgage on real property. See also Certificate of Discharge.

Replevin:
A legal proceeding in court to seize property (other than real estate) given as security for a debt that is in default.

Request for Reconveyance:
An instrument executed by a trust deed holder directing the trustee to convey legal title to the property involved back to the owner. Most often, a form for this request is printed on the back of the trust deed so that the creditor may execute it when the debt is satisfied. Nevertheless, it may also be a separate instrument.

Rescind:
To cancel a contract or other transaction and restore to each what he had given under it.

Rescission:
(I) The act of rescinding. (2) A legal action to rescind a contract or other transaction.

Reserve:
An amount a funding source holds in its account to cover potential payment defaults. After a certain time period has passed, the funding source rebates the reserve to the client less any fees or charges for delinquency. Also called a bad debt reserve.

Restriction:
A limitation upon the use of property that is specified in the title deed.

Return:
See Yield.

Right of Redemption:
See Equity of Redemption.

Right of Survivorship:
Right of the surviving joint owner to succeed to the interest of the deceased joint owner.

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S

Satisfaction:
The discharge of an obligation by paying a party what is due (i.e., the satisfaction of an IRS lien or the satisfaction of a mortgage).

Satisfied:
Paid or performed in full.

Seasoning:
The length of time payments have been made on a note or other debt instrument.

Secondary market:
The marketplace where individuals and businesses can sell privately held income streams to funding sources for cash.

Secondary Mortgage Money Market:
See Mortgage Money Market.

Secured Party:
The person for whose benefit security is given.

Securitization:
The bundling and resale of debt instruments to investors; permitted only for parties licensed and regulated by the SEC.

Security interest:
An interest in property, other than real estate, which is given as security for a debt or other obligation. A security interest is created by execution of a security agreement and one or more financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code.

Seller:
The person or company that is holding a debt instrument and wants to sell it.

Servicing:
The collection of payments of interest and principal, and trust fund items such as fire insurance, taxes, etc., on a note by the borrower in accordance with the terms of the note. Servicing by the lender also consists of operational procedures covering accounting, bookkeeping, insurance, tax records, loan payment follow-up, delinquent loan follow-up and loan analysis.

Set-Off:
A claim a debtor is entitled to make against a creditor that reduces or eliminates the amount the debtor owed the creditor.

Simple Interest:
Interest computed on the unpaid principal amount of the loan without provisions for additional interest to be paid on interest.

Soft Money:
Credit extended as opposed to cash (hard money). Also, see Purchase Money Deed of Trust or Mortgage.

Straight Note:
A promissory note with the principal payable in one lump sum instead of in installments.

Stipulations:
The terms within a written contract.

Structured Settlement:
A method of payment for damages to a plaintiff resulting from an award made by the court. These settlements include product liability, wrongful death, medical and legal malpractice, personal injury, etc.

Subordination:
The act of a creditor acknowledging in writing that a debt due him or her by a debtor shall be inferior to the debt due another creditor by the same debtor.

Subordination Agreement:
A contract by which the holder of a prior lien makes it junior or inferior to another lien.

Substitution of Mortgagor:
An agreement in which the lender on a loan being assumed by buyer agrees to relieve the original borrower of liability.

Substitution of Trustee:
An instrument that the beneficiary under a trust deed executes and records to substitute a new trustee for an earlier one

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T

Tail:
The payment stream and/or balloon payment of an income stream subsequent to another party's right and interest in the income stream. Usually the back half of the payment stream when another party has purchased the front half.

Tangible personal property:
Personal property other than real estate, such as cars, boats, or other assets.

Tenancy in Common:
An ownership of real property by two or more persons, each of whom has an undivided interest, without right of survivorship.

Term:
A provision of a loan or contract that specifies the length of time the contract is to run.

Time value of money:
Concept that addresses the way the value of money changes over a period of time.

Title:
Evidence of the ownership of real property

Title commitment:
A commitment on the part of the insurer, once a title search has been conducted, to provide the proposed insured with a title insurance policy upon closing.

Title Company:
Firm examining title to real property and/or issuing title insurance..

Title Defect:
Unresolved claim against the ownership of property that prevents presentation of a marketable title. Such claims may arise from failure of the owner's spouse, or former part owner, to sign a deed, current liens against the property, or an interruption in the title records of a property.

Title insurance:
Title insurance can benefit either the payor or the payee. Should the beneficiary suffer any damages due to clouded or false title to real estate, title insurance recompenses the damaged party to the extent of the damages.

Title policy:
An insurance policy that insures a party against loss due to a defective title.

Title Report:
Document indicating the current state of the title, such as easements, covenants, liens and any other defects. The title report does not describe the chain of title. See also Abstract of Title.

Title Search:
An examination of the public records to determine ownership and encumbrances affecting real property.

Trial balance printout:
A spreadsheet that lists all loans in a portfolio and their payment schedule. Usually required for a portfolio transactions.

Trust Deed:
See Deed of Trust.

Trustee:
A person who holds bare legal title to real or personal property for the benefit of another person. A trustee is one of the parties in a trust deed.

Trustee's Deed:
A deed issued to the successful bidder at a trustee's sale. A trustee's deed conveys title to the purchaser free and clear, but subject to all senior liens.

Trustee's Sale:
A Foreclosure sale conducted by a trustee under a trust deed after default.

Trustor:
A person who conveys property to a trustee. In a trust deed the trustor is the borrower or debtor.

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U

Undivided Interest:
Ownership of real estate by joint tenants or tenants in common under the same title.

Uniform Commercial Code (UCC):
Standardized set of guidelines protected by law that set down how business transactions must be conducted.

Unseasoned:
A lease or note that has had few, if any, payments made.

Unsecured:
Without security.

Usury:
The charging of more interest than is allowed by law.

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V

Valid:
Having force, or binding force; legally sufficient and authorized by law.

Valuation:
Estimated worth or price. The act of valuing by appraisal.

Vendee:
A buyer.

Vendee's Lien:
A lien against real property under a land contract to secure a deposit paid by a purchaser.

Vendor:
A seller.

Viatical Settlement:
Enables a terminally ill or elderly person to obtain a lump sum payment from the sale of the person’s life insurance policy to a funding source.

Void:
(1) Having no legal effect; null. (2) To have an instrument or transaction declared void.

Voidable:
That which is capable of being adjudged void, but is not void unless action is taken to make it so.

Voluntary Lien:
A lien intentionally put on real property by the owner.

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W

Waiver:
The renunciation, abandonment or surrender of some claim, right or privilege.

Warranty Deed:
A conveyance of real property in which the grantor guarantees the title to the grantee.

Without Recourse:
Words used in endorsing a note to denote that the future holder is not to look to the endorser in case of non-payment.

Wrap-Around Contract of Sale, Mortgage or Trust Deed:
A land contract, mortgage or trust deed that works like this: The debtor owns or buys property with a first deed of trust on it. A seller or second lender takes a second deed of trust or second mortgage or a land contract for an amount that includes not only the amount owed to this second party but also the amount of the first trust deed. The owner makes one monthly payment to this second party out of it the second party makes the payment on the first trust deed and keeps the rest as his payment. Also called all-inclusive contract of sale, mortgage or trust deed.

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Y

Yield:
Interest earned by the lender on the money loaned. Also called return.

Yield Rate:
Yield expressed as a percentage of the total investment. Also called rate of return.

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