A lien is a creditor’s legal right or claim to your property. The purpose of a lien is to hold a property item — it doesn’t have to be a house — as collateral for a loan or debt. If you don’t pay off ...

A property lien can be either general or specific and voluntary or involuntary. A mortgage lien is a specific, voluntary lien. The priority of the liens on a property determines which debt will be ...

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Khadija Khartit is a strategy, investment, and funding expert, and an educator of fintech ...

Discover the key differences between liens and encumbrances in property rights and how they impact homeowners.

If you want to truly own your home, a reconveyance deed is a critical document. This document is required to be submitted by your lender to your county to signify that you’ve paid off your mortgage ...

Amy Fontinelle is a freelance writer, researcher and editor who brings a journalistic approach to personal finance content. Since 2004, she has worked with lenders, real estate agents, consultants, ...

Ever heard of tax lien investing and wondered if it’s a smart way to make money? In this easy-to-follow guide, you'll learn ...