Finance & Mortgages

    Acceleration Clause

    A mortgage provision that lets the lender demand the entire unpaid balance at once when the borrower defaults or another triggering event occurs.

    An acceleration clause gives the lender the right to call the full remaining balance due immediately upon a triggering event, most commonly the borrower's default. Without it, the lender could only pursue missed payments one at a time.

    Acceleration is the step that usually precedes foreclosure. The due-on-sale clause is a specific acceleration trigger tied to transfer of the property.

    On the exam

    Acceleration is the general power to demand the whole balance. Foreclosure is the process that follows if the borrower cannot pay.

    Exam trap

    An acceleration clause is broader than a due-on-sale clause. Default triggers acceleration; sale triggers the due-on-sale version.

    Tested in

    Residential Mortgages (9% of the exam)

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    This definition is Florida 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.