balance sheet
A financial statement that shows assets, liabilities, and net worth as of
a specific date.
balloon mortgage
A mortgage that has level monthly payments that will amortize it over
a stated term but that provides for a lump sum payment to be due at the
end of an earlier specified term. The principal and interest on the loan
are amortized over a longer period than the actual term of the mortgage.
balloon payment
The final lump sum payment that is made at the maturity date of a
balloon mortgage.
bankrupt
A person, firm, or corporation that, through a court proceeding, is
relieved from the payment of all debts after the surrender of all assets
to a court-appointed trustee.
bankruptcy
A proceeding in a federal court in which a debtor who owes more than
his or her assets can relieve the debts by transferring his or her assets
to a trustee.
before-tax income
Income before taxes are deducted.
beneficiary
The person designated to receive the income from a trust, estate, or a
deed of trust.
bequeath
To transfer personal property through a will.
betterment
An improvement that increases property value as distinguished from
repairs or replacements that simply maintain value.
bill of sale
A written document that transfers title to personal property.
binder
A preliminary agreement, secured by the payment of an earnest money
deposit, under which a buyer offers to purchase real estate.
biweekly payment mortgage
A mortgage that requires payments to reduce the debt every two weeks
(instead of the standard monthly payment schedule). The 26 (or possibly
27) biweekly payments are each equal to one-half of the monthly payment
that would be required if the loan were a standard 30-year fixed-rate
mortgage, and they are usually drafted from the borrower’s bank account.
The result for the borrower is a substantial savings in interest.
blanket insurance policy
A single policy that covers more than one piece of property (or more
than one person).
blanket mortgage
The mortgage that is secured by a cooperative project, as opposed to
the share loans on individual units within the project.
bona fide
In good faith, without fraud.
bond
An interest-bearing certificate of debt with a maturity date. An
obligation of a government or business corporation. A real estate bond is
a written obligation usually secured by a mortgage or a deed of trust.
breach
A violation of any legal obligation.
bridge loan
A form of second trust that is collateralized by the borrower's
present home (which is usually for sale) in a manner that allows the
proceeds to be used for closing on a new house before the present home is
sold. Also known as "swing loan."
broker
A person who, for a commission or a fee, brings parties together and
assists in negotiating contracts between them.
budget
A detailed plan of income and expenses expected over a certain period
of time. A budget can provide guidelines for managing future investments
and expenses.
budget category
A category of income or expense data that you can use in a budget. You
can also define your own budget categories and add them to some or all of
the budgets you create. "Rent" is an example of an expense category.
"Salary" is a typical income category.
building code
Local regulations that control design, construction, and materials
used in construction. Building codes are based on safety and health
standards.
buydown account
An account in which funds are held so that they can be applied as part
of the monthly mortgage payment as each payment comes due during the
period that an interest rate buydown plan is in effect.
buydown mortgage
A temporary buydown is a mortgage on which an initial lump sum payment
is made by any party to reduce a borrower’s monthly payments during the
first few years of a mortgage. A permanent buydown reduces the interest
rate over the entire life of a mortgage.
