When a trust deed is used to pledge real property as security for a loan the lender is the?

A deed of trust is a type of secured real-estate transaction that some states use instead of mortgages. See State Property Statutes.

A deed of trust involves three parties: a lender, a borrower, and a trustee. The lender gives the borrower money. In exchange, the borrower gives the lender one or more promissory notes. As security for the promissory notes, the borrower transfers a real property interest to a third-party trustee. Should the borrower default on the terms of her loan, the trustee may take full control of the property to correct the borrower's default.

Usually, the trustee is a title company. In most states, the borrower actually transfers legal title to the trustee, who holds the property in trust for the use and benefit of the borrower. In other states, the trustee merely holds a lien on the property. See Estates and Trusts.

Deeds of trust almost always include a power-of-sale clause, which allows the trustee to conduct a non-judicial foreclosure - that is, sell the property without first getting a court order. See Foreclosure.

For example, in a typical home loan, the borrower is the person buying the home, the lender is a bank, and the trustee is a title company. The borrower makes monthly payments to the bank. If the borrower goes into default, the title company initiates a non-judicial foreclosure as the bank's agent.

See State Property Statutes; Mortgage; Foreclosure; Debtor and Creditor Law.

When applying for a mortgage, the paperwork can seem never-ending. One of the pieces that may be relevant in your home closing is a deed of trust. If you’re in the market for a new home, understanding what a deed of trust is and how it works may help you during the home buying process.

What Is A Deed Of Trust?

A deed of trust is an agreement between a home buyer and a lender at the closing of a property. It states that the home buyer will repay the loan and that the mortgage lender will hold the legal title to the property until the loan is fully paid. A deed of trust is a type of secured real estate transaction that some states use instead of mortgages.

There are three parties involved in a deed of trust:

  • Trustor: This is the borrower.
  • Trustee: This is the third party who will hold the legal title.
  • Beneficiary: This is the lender.

A deed of trust must include several pieces of information to be a legally binding document.

These factors include:

  • The original loan amount
  • A description of the property
  • Names for all parties involved
  • The inception and maturity date of the loan
  • Fees
  • What happens in case of default
  • Riders
  • And more, depending on the nature of the sale.

How Does A Deed Of Trust Work?

In exchange for a deed of trust, the borrower gives the lender one or more promissory notes. A promissory note is a document that states a promise to pay the debt and is signed by the borrower. It contains the terms of the loan including information such as the interest rate and other obligations.

Once a loan is completely repaid, the promissory note will be marked “paid in full” and the deed will be returned to the buyer. While the buyer is paying off the home, the lender will keep the promissory note, whereas the buyer only gets to keep a copy for their records.

Deed Of Trust Vs. Mortgage

Many homeowners confuse the terms “mortgage” and “deed of trust.” Though mortgages and deeds of trust both serve the same purpose, there are a few distinctions.

Differences

There are a few key differences between deeds of trust and mortgages:

  • A deed of trust is not a loan. Although a mortgage is considered a type of loan, a deed of trust is not a loan.
  • Foreclosure type: The type of foreclosure you’ll face depends on whether you have a deed of trust or a mortgage note. If you have a deed of trust, you’ll usually face a nonjudicial foreclosure. If you have a mortgage, your lender will need to go through the courts.
  • Foreclosure length and expense: If you have a mortgage loan, it means that your lender will need to seek a judicial foreclosure to take back your property. This means that mortgages take much more time and money to foreclose on. Therefore, many mortgage lenders will use a deed of trust instead of a mortgage if your state allows it and nonjudicial foreclosures. In this scenario, your lender will almost always spend less time and money reclaiming your property.
  • The number of parties involved in the foreclosure: Another minor difference between a deed of trust and a mortgage is the number of parties involved with both types of contract. A mortgage involves only two parties: the borrower and the lender. A deed of trust has a borrower, lender and a “trustee.” The trustee is a neutral third party that holds the title to a property until the loan is completely paid off by the borrower. In most cases, the trustee is an escrow If you don’t repay your loan, the escrow company’s attorney must begin the foreclosure process.

Similarities

Some of the similarities between a deed of trust and a mortgage include the following:

  • Both provide a way for your lender to take back your home through foreclosure. Deeds of trust and mortgages both serve the same basic purpose. They’re both agreements that say that if you don’t follow the terms of your loan, your lender can put your home into foreclosure. The type of foreclosure may vary, but the mechanism used is still the same.
  • Both are dictated by state laws. Both deeds of trust and mortgages are subject to state laws. This means that the specific type of contract your lender has to use depends on what’s legal in your state. In some states, only a mortgage is legal. In others, lenders can only use a deed of trust. A few states (like Alabama and Michigan) allow both. If your state allows both types of contracts, it’s up to your lender to choose which type you receive.

The Bottom Line

A deed of trust is a document that you might see at your home closing instead of a mortgage. While the two are similar, a deed of trust involves more people in the sale of a property and is not executed through the judicial system.


Not sure a deed of trust is the right move for you? Apply for a mortgage with us to get your questions answered and the resources you need for every step of the home buying process.

When real property is pledged as security for a debt it is known as quizlet?

A Mortgage is a financing agreement in which a mortgagor pledges real property to the mortgagee as security for the debt. A mortgage is a security instrument in which a mortgagee pledges real property to the mortgage or a security for the debt. True or false? You just studied 20 terms!

What instrument pledges the property as collateral?

Security Instrument A written instrument creating a valid first lien on a Mortgaged Property securing a Mortgage Note, which may be any applicable form of mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt or security deed, including any riders or addenda thereto.

Why is it important to a lender to have both a deed of trust and a promissory note in California?

The deed of trust secures the house and land to the note and allows a lender to foreclose on a property if there is default. The most common default is failure to make the payments under the promissory note.