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Mortgage Lien

All Terms
Core termContracts, Legal & TitleBuyingSelling

Definition

Your mortgage lien is the lender's security interest in the property. If you default, they can foreclose. It's recorded and appears on your title commitment.

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About this term

A mortgage lien is the most common type of lien in residential real estate, securing the home loan. The lender has a legal right to take the property through foreclosure if the borrower fails to make payments. When you sell the property, the mortgage is paid off from the sale proceeds, and the buyer receives the property free of the lien. Mortgage liens are recorded in the public record and appear on the title commitment.

Pro Tip

Your mortgage lien will be paid off at closing. You'll receive clear title.

Example

The seller paid off the mortgage lien at closing from the sale proceeds.

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