Please Select the First Letter of Your Term: 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    Please note that not all mortgage terms are in our database. We are constantly adding new terms so check back a at later date if you do not find the term you are looking for. Index   The published index of interest rates on a publicly traded debt security used to calculate the interest rate for an ARM. The index is usually an average of the interest rates on a particular type of security such as the LIBOR. Individual Retirement Account (IRA)   A tax-deferred plan that can help build a retirement nest egg. Inflation   An increase in the general level of prices. Inquiry   A request for a copy of your credit report. An inquiry occurs every time you fill out a credit application and/or request more credit. Too many inquiries on a credit report can lower your credit score. Interest   The cost you pay to borrow money. It is the payment you make to a lender for the money it has lent to you. Interest is usually expressed as a percentage of the amount borrowed.