Radon - Top

A naturally appearing radioactive gas found in some buildings, that, in sufficient concentrations, may cause health problems.

RAM - Top

Reverse annuity mortgage.

Ranch House - Top

Once described a low, one-story house typical of the western United States. The term is now used to describe just about any one-story home.

Rate - Top

The annual rate of interest for a loan.  Also called the interest rate.

Rate Change Cap - Top

Commonly associated with an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM).    The Rate Change Cap is the maximum amount that an interest rate can change, either at an adjustment period or over the entire life of the loan.

Rate Improvement Mortgage - Top

A fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) that includes a clause allowing the borrower the option to reduce the interest rate one time (without refinancing) during the first few years of the loan term.

Rate Lock - Top

An agreement by a lender to guarantee the interest rate offered for a mortgage provided that the loan closes within the specified period of time.

Rate of Interest - Top

Same as interest rate.

Real Estate Agent - Top

A person licensed to negotiate the purchase and sale of real estate on behalf of buyers and sellers.

Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) - Top

A consumer protection law that requires mortgage lenders and brokers to give borrowers advance notice of closing costs in the form of a Good Faith Estimate.

Real Property - Top

Land and anything permanently affixed to the land, including structures, trees, minerals, and the interest, benefits and rights thereof.

Realtor® - Top

A real estate broker or associate who is an active member of a local real estate board that is affiliated with the National Association of Realtors.

Reconveyance Fee - Top

This fee is charged in some states to cover the cost of removing your current lender's lien from your property title when you refinance.  For our comparison purposes, a reconveyance fee is considered to be a third party fee.

Recorder - Top

The public official who keeps records of transactions that affect real property in a specific geographic area (usually a county). Often known as a County Recorder or County Clerk.

Recording - Top

The entering in a book of public record the details of a properly executed legal instrument that affects title to real property, thereby making it a part of the public record.

Recording Fees - Top

A fee charged by the local government to record mortgage documents into the public record so that any interested party is aware that a lender has an interest in the property.  For our comparison purposes, a recording fee is considered to be a tax or other unavoidable fee.

Refinance - Top

The process of paying off any existing mortgages on a home with a new mortgage loan.

Rehabilitation Mortgage - Top

A loan granted to cover the costs of repairing or improving an existing property. Can also be used to acquire property with the intent to improve it. Also referred to as a Renovation Loan.

Release Fee - Top

The fee charged to release a lien to free real estate from a mortgage.

Remaining Balance - Top

The amount of principal owed on a loan that has not yet been fully repaid.

Remaining Term - Top

The number of payments left to be made on a loan before it is fully amortized (paid in full).

Renovation Mortgage - Top

A loan granted to cover the costs of repairing or improving an existing property. Can also used to acquire a property with the intent to improve it. Also referred to as a Rehabilitation Loan.

Rent Loss Insurance - Top

An insurance policy that protects a landlord against loss of rent or value due to natural casualties that renders the premises unsuitable for use, and therefore excuses the tenant from paying rent.

Repayment Plan - Top

An agreement between a lender and a borrower, made to help the borrower repay delinquent installments.

Replacement Reserve - Top

An amount set aside from net operating income for replacement of short-lived common property in cooperative housing projects such as condominiums.

Rescission - Top

The cancellation of a contract by the operation of a law or by mutual consent. In some circumstances, borrowers have the right to cancel a transaction within three business days after closing.

RESPA - Top

See Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.

Retail Sales - Top

Measures the total receipts of retail stores. Monthly percent changes reflect the rate of changes of such sales. Changes in Retail Sales are widely followed as an indicator of consumer spending. Frequency: monthly. Source: Commerce Department.

Retirement Plan 401(k) & 403(b) - Top

Employer-sponsored investment plans that allows individuals to set aside tax-deferred income for retirement or emergency purposes. 401(k) plans are provided by private corporations. 403(b) plans are provided by non-profit organizations.

Retirement Plan 401(k) & 403(b) Loans - Top

Some administrators of 401(k) and 403(b) plans allow for loans against the funds you have accumulated in these plans.

Reverse Mortgage - Top

See Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM).

Revolving Credit - Top

A credit agreement (typically a credit card) that allows a customer to borrow against a pre-approved credit line when purchasing goods and services. The borrower is only billed for the amount that is actually borrowed plus any interest due.

RHS - Top

See Rural Housing Service.

Right of First Refusal - Top

A contract provision that requires a property owner to give another party the first opportunity to purchase or lease the property before it is offered to others.

Right of Ingress or Regress - Top

The right to enter or leave specific property or premises.

Right of Survivorship - Top

In joint tenancy, the right of surviving joint tenants to acquire the interest of a deceased joint tenant.

Right to Cancel (also known as Right of Rescission) - Top

The statutory right of a borrower (on some types of loans), under the truth-in-lending law, to rescind a transaction within a period of three days after signing the contract. Applies to owner occupied loans only.

Rural Housing Service (RHS) - Top

An agency within the United States Department of Agriculture that provides financing to farmers and other qualified borrowers buying property in rural areas, who are unable to obtain loans elsewhere.