Today's best mortgages
Jargon buster
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Fair Market Value
The amount paid for a property in a transaction in which neither the buyer nor the seller is being forced into the contract. Typically this value will be set by looking at the sale prices of similar properties in the same area.
Fee Simple (Scotland only)
A term used in Scotland to refer to property where the owner has the right to decide who inherits the property.
Fees Free
A term typically used in connection with a remortgage where the new lender pays for the cost of a mortgage valuation and legal costs.
Feuhold
A term used in Scotland to refer to the ownership of both a property and the land on which it is built. The closest equivalent in England and Wales is Freehold.
Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
An organisation established by law to help settle individual disputes between consumers and financial firms.
Financial Services Authority (FSA)
T h e r e g u l a t o r o f t h e U K s f i n a n c i a l s e r v i c e s i n d u s t r y . T h e F S A s j u r i s d i c t i o n n o w c o v e r s m o r t g a g e s ( e x c e p t f o r s o m e b u y - t o - l e t m o r t g a g e s ) a n d g e n e r a l i n s u r a n c e .
First Charge
A legal right under which the holder (of First Charge) has first call on the property in the event that the borrower defaults on repayments.
First Mortgage
A mortgage that is the primary lien or first claim against a property.
First Time Buyer (FTB)
A purchaser who is buying a property for the first time. Typically a lender will offer more attractive deals for first time buyers. Also known as First Time Purchaser (FTP).
Fixed Rate Mortgage
A mortgage under which the rate of interest has been fixed for a specified period of time.
Flat over Shop
A flat or apartment that is located above a retail property. Lenders may view such a property as a higher risk category and adjust their mortgage offer accordingly.
Flexible Drawdown
A facility written into a mortgage that allows a borrower to access additional funds.
Flexible Mortgage
A mortgage that allows the borrower to make over- or under payments, or take a payment holiday.
Foreign Currency Mortgage
A mortgage that is taken out in a currency other than sterling. Typically used by people who are paid in foreign currency, this type of mortgage carries a higher risk for the lender (due to foreign currency fluctuations) and the rates may be adjusted accordingly. The borrower also carries a higher risk, as currency fluctuations could result a reduction in equity.
Freehold (England & Wales only)
A situation whereby the owner owns both the property and the land on which the property is built. See also Feuhold (Scotland)
Full Status
The stage in a mortgage application at which the prospective borrower has provided credit check and other financial information.
Further Advance
A situation whereby the lender makes available another loan and under which both loans are included within first charge on the property. This is normally used to consolidate debt or pay for improvements to the property.
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