Finance & Mortgages

    Mortgage

    The security instrument that pledges real property as collateral for a debt, creating a lien in favor of the lender.

    A mortgage is the instrument that pledges real property as security for a loan. It creates a lien that gives the lender the right to foreclose if the borrower defaults. In Florida, the borrower keeps title and the lender holds the lien.

    The mortgage is paired with the promissory note. The note is the promise to pay; the mortgage is the security for that promise.

    On the exam

    The mortgage creates the lien, not the debt. The note creates the debt.

    Exam trap

    Do not swap the two instruments. The note is the debt; the mortgage is the security.

    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.