Real Estate Dictionary

National Association of Realtors (NAR) A real estate trade organization that sets the standards for integrity and honesty within the real estate profession nationwide

Negative amortization A gradual increase in the balance of a loan or mortgage which occurs because the monthly payments made are too small to cover the entire principal and interest charges; this shortfall amount is added to the remaining balance, resulting in negative amortization

Net listing The advertisement of the price of property for sale in terms of the net price the seller will receive, once the property is sold, a type of listing which is illegal in many states

Net worth The total value of all of an individual’s assets, minus all liabilities or debts

No cash-out refinance A transaction for refinancing a mortgage in which the new mortgage amount is limited to the sum total of the remaining balance of the first mortgage, points, closing costs, whatever is required to satisfy any liens that are more than one year old and other funds for the borrower’s use (as long as the amount is one percent or less of the principal amount of the new mortgage)

Notary An individual authorized by law to certify documents and signatures

Note A legal document that obligates a borrower to repay a loan or owed sum of money at a stated interest rate over a designated period of time