CONDITIONAL OFFER
An offer to purchase, subject to specified conditions.  These conditions may include the arranging of satisfactory mortgage financing, a satisfactory inspection, or the selling of a present home.  A time limit in which the specified conditions must be met should be stipulated in the offer to purchase.

CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE
A first mortgage - the principal amount of which cannot exceed 75% of the lesser of the appraised value of the property or the purchase price for the property for a fixed term.

DEED
The document prepared by a lawyer or notary containing a detailed description of the property which transfers ownership from the vendor to the purchaser.  This document is then registered against the title to the property as evidence of ownership.  Also called a transfer in some provinces.

DEFAULT
Non-payment by the borrower of the installments due under the mortgage when due, or failure to fulfill any other term or condition of the mortgage.

DEPOSIT
A sume of money paid by the purhaser on making an offer.  Usually held in trust by the real estate broker or the vendor's lawyer or notary until the closing of the sale.

EASEMENT
The right acquired for access to or over another person's property for a specific purpose, such as for a driveway or public utilities.  This is referred to as "servitude" in Quebec.

EQUITY
The interest the owner holds in a property over and above all claims to the property.   It is usually the difference between the mortgages and the market value of the property.

FIRE AND PROPERTY INSURANCE
Before the closing date, the purchaser must have fire and property insurance arranged and in effect.  Evidence of the insurance is required by the mortgage lender prior to advancing mortgage funds.

FIXED-RATE MORTGAGE
The interest rate on a fixed-rate mortgage is set for the full term of the mortgage and cannot be renegotiated - except upon payment of breakage costs.  Interest is calculated semi-annually, not in advance.

FORECLOSURE
A legal procedure whereby the lender obtains ownership of the property following default by the borrower by terminating all of the borrower's rights in the property covered by the mortgage.

GROSS DEBT SERVICE RATIO
The percentage of the borrower's gross income that will be used for monthly payments of principal, interest, taxes, heating and condominium fees.

HIGH RATIO INSURED MORTGAGE
When the down payment is less that 25% (to a minimum of 5%) the mortgage amount must be insured against default.

INSPECTION
The examination of the house for structural and other defects by an expert selected by the buyer.

INTEREST RATE
The rate of return the lender receives for permitting the borrower to use the mortgage money for a specified term.  The interest is usually expressed as an annual percentage rate.

LENDER
The individual, party or financial institution from whom money is borrowed.  Also known as the mortgagee (or chargee), in the case of a mortgage loan.

MORTGAGEE
A lender who takes a mortgage to secure repayment of the loan.

MORTGAGE LIFE INSURANCE
Insurance from which the benefits are intended to pay off the balance due on the mortgage upon the death of the insured borrower.  The intent is to protect survivors from losing their home.

MORTGAGOR
A borrower who gives title to, or a lien on, real property to a mortgagee to secure repayment of a mortgage loan.

OFFER TO PURCHASE
A written contract setting out the terms under which the buyer agrees to purchase a property.  Upon acceptance by the sell, it forms a contract which determins the rights and obligations of the buyer and seller concerning the purchase and sale.  It includes the legal and/or municipal description, purchase price, closing date, mortgage and terms of repayment, and lists specific items included in or excluded from the sale.

OPEN MORTGAGE
A mortgage which can be prepaid or retired at any time prior to maturity without breakage costs.

PRE-PAYMENT OPTION
The right to pay specified amounts of the principal balance prior to the maturity date of the mortgage.  Breakage costs may be payable when a pre-payment option is exercised under a closed mortgage.

PRINCIPAL
The amount of the loan owed to the lender at any specified time, not including interest.

REAL ESTATE AGENT
An agent employed to negotiate the purchase and sales transaction between the buyer and the seller who is licensed to carry out such activities.

SERVITUDE
(see Easement)

SURVEY
(see Certificate of Location)

TERM
The length of time during which the specific mortgage agreement is effective.  When the term expires, the balance of the principal is either repaid in full or the mortgage is renegotiated at then-current market rates and conditions.

TITLE
Right of ownership of property, and including evidence of such ownership.

TOTAL DEBT SERVICE RATIO
The percentage of the borrower's gross monthly income that will be used for monthly payments of principal, interest, taxes, heating and other outstanding loans and debts.

VARIABLE-RATE MORTGAGE (FLOATING RATE)
A mortgage in which payments are fixed for a period of one to two years, although interest rates may fluctuate from month to month depending on market conditions.  If interest rates go down, more of the payment goes towards reducing the principal; if rates go up, a larger portion of the monthly payment goes towards covering the interest.  Most variable-rate mortgages allow pre-payment of any amount (with certain minimums) on any monthly payment date and usually without breakage costs.

ZONING LAWS
Municipal laws prescribing the use of land for specific purposes, and the use to which buildings on the land may be put.