Finance & Mortgages

Amortization

The gradual repayment of a loan through regular payments that cover both interest and principal until the balance reaches zero.

Quick flashcard

What does Amortization mean on the Texas real estate exam?

Answer: The gradual repayment of a loan through regular payments that cover both interest and principal until the balance reaches zero.

Read the explanation below, then return to the full flashcard deck and try it again from memory.

Amortization definition

Amortization is the process of paying off a loan through scheduled payments over time. Each payment covers the interest due plus a portion of the principal. Early in a fully amortized loan, most of each payment goes to interest, and later most goes to principal.

A fully amortized loan reaches a zero balance at the end of its term. A partially amortized loan leaves a balloon payment due at the end.

Source basis

Definition checked against the official sources below on .

On the exam

A fully amortized loan ends at a zero balance. A partially amortized loan leaves a balloon.

Exam trap

With a partially amortized or interest-only loan, the regular payments do not retire the full debt. A lump sum still comes due.

Tested in

Financing & Settlement (7 of 80 National)

From definition to recall

See this term inside a real exam question.

Pass Texas gives you Texas-specific practice, diagnostics across the 14 exam areas, Trap Library, Math Coach, offline access, and one $59.99 purchase. No subscription. No copied exam questions.

Try 5 free questions

This definition is Texas real estate exam-prep education, not legal, tax, or professional advice. Verify current rules against the official source before relying on them for a real transaction. Back to the full glossary.