A real estate agent, broker or an associate who holds active membership in a local real estate board that is affiliated with the National Association of Realtors.

The process of paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan using the same property as security.

Renegotiating your existing mortgage agreement. May include increasing the principal or paying out the mortgage in full.

A mortgage which can be prepaid at any time, without penalty.

The choice of making regular mortgage payments every week, every other week, twice a month or monthly.

This allows you to move to another property without having to lose your existing interest rate. You can keep your existing mortgage balance, term and interest rate plus save money by avoiding early discharge penalties.

A fee charged by the lender when the borrower prepays all or part of a closed mortgage more quickly than is set out in the mortgage agreement.

The ability to prepay all or a portion of the principal balance. Prepayment charges may be incurred on the exercise of prepayment options.

An interview with a client (usually) prior to the writing of an offer to purchase real estate in order to determine the applicants qualifications for mortgage purposes.

The rate charged by banks to their most credit-worthy borrowers. Sometimes also referred to as the rate of interest paid on government bonds.