What Are Holocaust Restitution Payments? Holocaust restitution payments are paid primarily by the governments of Germany and Austria to partly compensate victims of Nazi Germany and its allies. In addition to claims for persecution, restitution is also made to compensate for lost housing, destroyed businesses, and liquidated bank accounts. Since 1952, more than $70 billion
What Is a Holographic Will? A holographic will is a handwritten and testator-signed document and is an alternative to a will produced by a lawyer. Some states do not recognize holographic wills. States that do permit holographic wills require the document meet specific requirements to be valid. The minimal requirements for most states are proof
What Is a Home? A home is a physical domicile or structure in which a person or household resides. In a legal sense, a home is the place of permanent residency where one lives, or intends to return to live. key takeaways Legally, a home is a person’s permanent primary residence—even if they aren’t currently
What Is Home Equity? Home equity is the value of a homeowner’s financial interest in their home. In other words, it is the actual property’s current market value less any liens that are attached to that property. The amount of equity in a house fluctuates over time as more payments are made on the mortgage and market forces impact
What Is the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP)? The Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) was a loan modification program introduced by the federal government in 2009 to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure. The program’s focus was to help homeowners who paid more than 31% of their gross income toward mortgage payments. The program expired at the
What Is the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)? The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) was a program offered by the Federal Housing Finance Agency to homeowners who own homes that are worth less than the outstanding balance on the oan. The program has since ended, but it was intended to provide relief after the financial
What Is Home Bias? The term home bias refers to the tendency for investors to invest the majority of their portfolio in domestic equities, ignoring the benefits of diversifying into foreign equities. This bias was originally believed to have arisen as a result of the extra difficulties associated with investing in foreign equities, such as
What Is Home Country Bias? Home country bias refers to investors’ tendency to favor companies from their own country over those from other countries or regions. The tendency to invest in our own backyard is not unusual or surprising; it is a worldwide phenomenon, and certainly not unique to U.S. investors. This bias is also
What Is a Home Equity Loan? A home equity loan—also known as an equity loan, home equity installment loan, or second mortgage—is a type of consumer debt. Home equity loans allow homeowners to borrow against the equity in their homes. The loan amount is based on the difference between the home’s current market value and the
What Is a Home Inspection? A home inspection observes and reports on the condition of a real estate property, usually when it is on the market to be sold. A qualified home inspector assesses the property’s condition, including its heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electrical work, water, and sewage, as well as some fire and
