A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association/FNMA)
FNMA is one of the major secondary market investors that purchases loans from mortgage companies and other depository institutions. The company is a private corporation and its stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac/FHLMC)
A government sponsored agency that is also a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange that purchases mortgage loans from mortgage bankers and financial depository institutions. FHLMC is a major secondary market investor.

Federal Housing Administration
A federal agency which insures first mortgages, enabling lenders to loan a very high percentage of the sale price.

Federal Reserve Bank
The regulatory agency for certain commercial banks and bank holding companies. Sets monetary policy for the country and provides liquidity for supervised financial institutions.

Federal Tax Lien
A lien attached to property for nonpayment of a federal tax.

Federal Tax Return
The U.S. government's method to identify individual and company's annual tax responsibility. The tax returns identify the income and taxes.

Fee Simple
Highest possible degree of ownership of land. The estate allows owners to have unrestricted powers to dispose of property, and which can be left by will or inherited.

Fiduciary
A person in a position of trust or responsibility with specific duties to act in the best interest of a client. Real estate brokers and mortgage brokers are fiduciaries, as are attorney-at-law and bank trust officers.

First Mortgage
Mortgage holding priority over the claims of subsequent lenders against the same property.

Fixture
Personal property affixed to structures or land, usually in such manner that they cannot be independently moved without damage to themselves or the property housing, supporting, or pertinent to them. Varies under state laws.

Foreclosure
A proceeding in court to extinguish all rights, title and interest of the owner(s) of a property in order to sell the property and satisfy a lien against it.

Freddie Mac
See "Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation" in this Glossary.

Full Disclosure
Revealing all known facts which may affect the decision of a buyer or tenant.