Mortgage Glossary - M


Main Residence

The normal place of residence.

Margin

The lender's "retail markup" on the mortgage. For example, if the index rate for an adjustable rate mortgage is 5 percent but the lender has a 2.5 percentage-point margin, the rate the borrower will pay is 7.5 percent.

Market Value

The price that a piece of property sells for at a particular point in time.

MIG Mortgage Indemnity Guarantee

This is insurance for the lender paid by the consumer in a one-off payment, on 'high' LTV mortgages. This protects the lender in the event that you default on the loan and the sale of the property is not enough to repay the amount that they are owed. Some lenders will insist you pay this if your mortgage is for as low as 75% of the value of the property, but 90% is a more common level. Some lenders will not insist on it regardless of the loan value. You can often add this fee to the loan, but be aware that you will then be paying interest on it until the loan is repaid in full.

Monthly Repayment

This is the amount you pay to your lender each month towards the cost of your loan.

Mortgage

The name given to a loan used to buy a property.

Mortgage Advance

The money loaned to the buyer, by the lender.

Mortgage Application

Forms used to assess whether you meet the lender's underwriting criteria. These criteria are set to ensure that barring any unforeseeable change in circumstances, you will be able to support the mortgage and meet the repayments. Questions relate to such things as income & status, equity, personal details, credit history etc.

Mortgage Application Fee

A charge purely for applying for a mortgage. Paid to the lender upfront at the time of application.This type of fee is becoming less common than an arrangement fee. As with arrangement fees, this type of mortgage fee is usually found with the special deals from lenders possibly to restrict the number of applicants by only attracting serious buyers. Some of the time this fee is refunded on completion of the mortgage.

Mortgage Arrears

The amount of back pay you owe your mortgage lender for failing to meet your mortgage requirements.

Mortgage Broker

An independent agent who shops around for the best mortgage deal on behalf of his clients.

Mortgage Cash Surplus

Money left over at the end of a mortgage term, over and above the amount required to pay back the debt.

Mortgage Code Arbitration Scheme

An arbitration service between members of the public and lenders.

Mortgage Confirmation

When you get a written confirmation of your offer, you usually receive two things. Firstly, there will usually be some form of standard covering letter, thanking you for your hugely valued business and welcoming you into a family of customers that have their mortgage lender in common. In addition to the letter, you will receive a written mortgage confirmation. This will normally set out some of your personal details, some facts about the property, your salary details, your solicitors (if you have appointed them by this stage), and will require a signature.

Mortgage Debt

The amount outstanding on your mortgage.

Mortgage Deed

This is the agreement which explains the conditions of the mortgage (loan). It is a document to be signed by all parties to the remortgage on your property, and will be sent to HM Land Registry to register the remortgage.

Mortgage Incentives

The lender may offer a discount or fee-free period on buildings insurance, accident and sickness insurance, redundancy insurance, or payment protection insurance. This is often done to encourage you to take up the policy, which you are then fairly likely to keep in the longer term. Other common incentives include a free valuation and money towards solicitor's fees.

Mortgage Lien

The unpaid balance on the mortgage loan.

Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance (MPPI)

An MPPI policy pays your mortgage for you if you become unable to work for an extended period of time, as a result of redundancy, accident, sickness or disability. It should provide enough income to cover all your monthly mortgage expenses. If you have a repayment mortgage, this should be your capital and interest repayment and if you have an interest-only mortgage, the MPPI should cover your interest payment as well as your normal monthly contribution to the investment vehicle that will repay your loan.

Mortgage Reference Fee

If you apply for a remortgage or a new mortgage, the new lender will want a mortgage reference from your existing lender. You will probably have to pay for this.

Mortgage Term

The period over which the mortgage loan is to be repaid.

Mortgage Types

For example, repayment or interest. Or fixed, capped, tracker, discount or stepped rate etc.

Mortgagee

A bank or other financial institution that lends money to the borrower. The borrower is considered the mortgagor.

Mortgagor

The mortgagor is another term for the borrower.

MPC

Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England. Meets monthly to discuss and alter interest rates etc.

Multifamily Mortgage

A mortgage on a multifamily dwelling with more than four families, typically an apartment building.