Mortgage and lien records document financial obligations tied to property. These records can reveal ownership, debt, economic status, and relationships between individuals and institutions.
| Term | Definition |
| Amortization | Gradual repayment of loan over time. |
| Assignment | Transfer of mortgage from one lender to another. |
| Borrower | Person receiving loan secured by property. |
| Collateral | Property pledged as security for loan. |
| Deed of Trust | Document securing loan with property, similar to mortgage. |
| Default | Failure to meet loan repayment terms. |
| Equity | Value of property minus amount owed. |
| Foreclosure | Legal process to recover property after default. |
| Grantee | Person receiving interest in property. |
| Grantor | Person giving interest in property. |
| Interest | Cost of borrowing money. |
| Judgment Lien | Court-ordered claim against property for unpaid debt. |
| Lender | Person or institution providing loan. |
| Lien | Legal claim against property for debt repayment. |
| Lienholder | Person or entity holding a lien. |
| Loan | Money borrowed to purchase property. |
| Mortgage | Legal agreement securing loan with property. |
| Mortgage Deed | Document outlining terms of mortgage. |
| Mortgagee | Lender in mortgage agreement. |
| Mortgagor | Borrower in mortgage agreement. |
| Note | Written promise to repay loan. |
| Principal | Original amount of loan. |
| Property | Real estate used as collateral. |
| Reconveyance | Release of lien after debt is paid. |
| Redemption | Right to reclaim property after foreclosure. |
| Release | Removal of lien upon satisfaction of debt. |
| Satisfaction | Confirmation that debt has been paid. |
| Security | Property pledged to guarantee loan. |
| Title | Legal ownership of property. |
| Trustee | Person holding title for benefit of lender. |
| Trust Deed | Alternative form of mortgage agreement. |
| Arrears | Overdue payments. |
| Encumbrance | Claim or liability attached to property. |
| Refinancing | Replacing existing loan with new one. |
| Installment | Scheduled payment toward loan. |
| Legal Description | Formal identification of property. |
| Recording | Filing of document in public records. |
| Subordination | Ranking of liens in order of priority. |
| Term | Length of loan agreement. |
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