Despite increasing numbers of the population having a mortgage, it is amazing how few people actually know what they are and how they work. Some people have gotten into the habit of calling them mortgage home loans but that isn't right at all as they are not loans at all. There are three terms that you need to learn that are used: the first is mortgagor (the property owner), the mortgagee (the company that takes on the security for the property) and the mortgage (the contract to pay between the two). More accurately, it is a document that protects your lender's interest with your property itself and a legal agreement you have provided to a lender.

The mortgage has made it possible for people and companies to buy properties with only a small percentage of the purchase price as a deposit. Although this article is brief, below are points that will help more in the understanding of how this system operates. It is because the mortgagor is often referred to as the Borrower that has led to the misunderstanding that the finance for the purchase is a loan in the same way the name Lender is used to refer to the mortgagee. A security measure designed for purchasing properties, called a lien, is enforced until the mortgage is cleared at the end of the term.

The mortgagee's money is then protected by this knowing the property is in fact security against its own debt. Being a legal contract, the lien will be lodged within the records at the county or city courthouse (or a similar public office). While the property is owned now by the mortgagor, the lien cannot be reversed until the amount specified in the debt is paid off. What this means is that even though the mortgagee has possession of the mortgage he is not the owner of the property nor does he have the title.

The mortgage is a surety for the benefit of the mortgagee, so should the debt remain unpaid then the amount owed can be reclaimed by the sale of the property. In the unfortunate event that requires the property to be sold or Foreclosed, then the case will need to be presented to the courts for approval. This procedure is carried out in order for it to be legally recognized and can be referred to as Judicial Foreclosure. This is the subject in brief and while there is a great deal more to it, perhaps this will help to clear up any ambiguities you may have previously experienced.