Title 12 › CHAPTER 49 — HOMEOWNERS PROTECTION › § 4901
Defines the key words used for the rules about single-family home mortgages. Adjustable rate mortgage — a home loan whose interest rate can change; it also includes loans that don’t fully pay down on schedule and that may be conditionally refinanced at maturity. Fixed rate mortgage — a home loan with an interest rate that does not change. Cancellation date — the date the borrower may choose when the loan balance hits 80% of the original value, either by the loan’s payment schedule or by actual payments; for fixed loans the initial schedule is used, for adjustable loans the current schedule is used. Termination date — the date the loan balance is first scheduled to reach 78% of the original value, using the initial schedule for fixed loans or the current schedule for adjustable loans. Good payment history — the borrower must not have had any payment 60 days or more late during the 12-month period that begins 24 months before the later of (a) the cancellation date or (b) the date the borrower asks for cancellation, and must not have had any payment 30 days or more late during the 12-month period before that later date. Initial amortization schedule — the payment and remaining-balance schedule set when a fixed-rate loan begins. Amortization schedule then in effect — the current payment and balance schedule for an adjustable-rate loan. Midpoint of the amortization period — the halfway point of the loan’s amortization period. Mortgage insurance — insurance against loan nonpayment or default. Private mortgage insurance — mortgage insurance other than that provided under the National Housing Act, title 38, or title V of the Housing Act of 1949. Mortgage insurer — a private mortgage insurer authorized to do business in the State. Mortgagee — the mortgage holder when the loan is made. Mortgagor — the original borrower (or their successors). Original value — the lower of the sales price in the contract or the appraised value at the loan’s closing; for a refinance of the borrower’s main home it means the appraised value the lender relied on. Residential mortgage — a mortgage on a single-family home that is the borrower’s main residence. Residential mortgage transaction — a mortgage or similar security created or kept to buy, build, or refinance a single-family main home, when the deal was made on or after one year after July 29, 1998. Servicer — has the same meaning as in section 2605(i)(2) of this title. Single-family dwelling — a one-family home.
Full Legal Text
Banks and Banking, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
12 U.S.C. § 4901
Title 12, Banks and Banking
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110