Amortization Period: The number of years it will take to repay a mortgage in full. The amortization period may be longer than the actual term of the loan. For example, a mortgage may have a five-year term and a 25-year amortization period.

Appraised Value: An estimate of the market value of the property that the borrower pledges as security for the mortgage. This value may be more or less than the purchase price of the property. 

Assets: Something of value that you own. 

Blended Rate Mortgage: A mortgage that combines the amount the borrower owes under an existing mortgage with additional mortgage money required by the borrower. The interest rate for the new amount borrowed is a "blend" (or combination) of the interest rate of the "old mortgage" and the interest rate for the additional amount to be borrowed. 

Blended Mortgage Payment: A regular installment payment composed of both principal and interest in which part of the money received is applied toward the principal of the loan and part is put towards paying the interest. This is the norm for mortgage payments. Blended payments are separate from the concept of a blended rate mortgage.

Bridge Financing: A loan made for a short term, to "bridge" (or cover) the time gap between completing the purchase of one property and finalizing arrangements to pay for it. The need for this type of financing often results from mismatched closing dates. 

CMHC: The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is a federal Crown corporation that administers the National Housing Act. CMHC's services include providing housing information and assistance to consumers and providing mortgage default insurance for high ratio mortgages. 

Carrying Costs: The expenses of living in, and maintaining a home (and property). This includes mortgage payments, property taxes, heating, repairs and so on.

Closed Mortgage: A mortgage that generally may not be prepaid, or renewed early, unless the borrower is willing to pay additional interest. Some lenders may allow limited prepayment privileges without additional interest. 

Closing Date: The date that the ownership of the property is transferred to the buyer. 

Collateral Mortgage: A loan evidenced by a promissory note and backed by the collateral security of a mortgage on a property. The money borrowed is generally used for a purpose other than the purchase of a home, such as a vacation or home renovations. 

Conventional Mortgage: A first mortgage of up to 75% of the property's appraised value, or purchase price, whichever is lower.  

Deed: A legal document for the transfer of land from one person to another. 

Default: Failure to repay an outstanding debt as agreed. 

Deposit: A sum of cash that is required to be paid to the vendor by the purchaser. This money is a symbol of the purchaser's commitment to buy. If the offer is accepted, the deposit is applied to the down payment. If the offer is turned down by the buyer after the acceptance date, the deposit may or may not be returned.  

Down payment: A partial payment made at the time of purchase with the balance to be paid later. First-time home buyers are allowed to put as little as 5% down when purchasing a property. 

Equity: The difference between the price for which a property could be sold and the total amount owing on it. 

First Mortgage: A mortgage which is registered first against the property. This mortgage has to be paid first in the event of sale or default. 

Fixed Rate Mortgage: A mortgage for which the rate of interest is fixed for the term (i.e. a set period of time). 

Floating Rate Mortgage: See Variable Rate Mortgage.

Gross Debt Service Ratio: The percentage of a borrower's gross monthly income that can be used to pay the housing costs, including the monthly mortgage payment (principal and interest), heating costs and property taxes (and condominium fees when applicable). This total should not be more than 32% of monthly gross income.  

High Ratio Mortgage: A mortgage for more than 75% of either or both a property's appraised value and purchase price. In other words, the down payment amount is less than 25% of the purchase price/appraised value. 

Interest: Money paid for the use of borrowed funds, represented as an annual percentage rate applicable to the mortgage. 

Liabilities: A borrower’s debts and legal obligations. For example: taxes, mortgages, car loans and credit card balances. 

Maturity Date: The last day of the term of your mortgage agreement. The mortgage must be paid in full, or the agreement renewed, by this date.

Mortgage: A mortgage is both a loan used to purchase or refinance a home and a security for the repayment of the loan. 

Mortgage Disability Insurance: Insurance that pays the mortgage installments should the insured borrower become ill or disabled and unable to work.

Mortgage Default Insurance: Government-backed or privately-backed insurance protecting the lender against the borrower's default on high-ratio mortgages.

Mortgage Life Insurance: Insurance that pays off the mortgage debt should the insured borrower die.

Mortgage Payment: The regular installments made towards paying back the principal and paying interest on a mortgage.

Open Mortgage: A mortgage that can be prepaid or renegotiated at any time without additional interest. 

Pre-Arranged Mortgage: A mortgage for a set maximum amount and interest rate that is arranged prior to the purchaser finding a house. Often arranged prior to home-shopping, this option can help the purchaser establish an affordable price range. 

Prepayment Options: Allows the borrower to prepay a portion, or all of the principal balance, with or without penalty. These options are typically restricted to specific amounts and times.

Principal: The amount of money borrowed or still owing on a mortgage. 

Rate (Interest): The annual percentage amount charged in return for borrowing funds.

Second Mortgage: A mortgage granted when there is already a mortgage registered against the property. If the borrower defaults and the property is sold, the second mortgage is paid after the first. 

Security: Property (assets) offered as backing for a loan. In the case of mortgages, the property being purchased or refinanced forms the security for the loan. 

Survey: A document providing details of a property's boundaries, measurements and structures. It will also describe any easements, rights-of-way, or encroachments made by either your property or by adjoining properties onto your property. 

Term: The length of time a lender will lend mortgage funds to a borrower. Most mortgage terms run from six months to five years. Certain lenders may offer longer terms (eg. 7 or 10 years). After this period, the borrower can either repay the balance (the remaining principal plus interest) of the mortgage, or renew the mortgage for another term. The total length of a mortgage is usually made up of several terms. 

Title: The legal evidence of ownership to a property. 

Title Search: A detailed examination of the registered title documents to ensure there are no liens or other encumbrances (claims) on the property, and no question regarding the seller's statement of ownership. 

Total Debt Service (TDS) Ratio: The percentage of a borrower's gross (before tax) monthly income needed to cover payments for housing costs (principal, interest, taxes, condominium fees, heating costs) and all other debts and obligations (typically loans and credit cards).

Variable Rate Mortgage: A mortgage for which the rate of interest fluctuates as money market rates change. While the regular payments you make stay the same for the term, the amount applied toward the principal changes according to the change (if any) in the rate of interest. This is also referred to as a Floating Rate Mortgage. 

Vendor: The seller in a real estate transaction.