Deeds of Trust and Security Deed - Explained
Alternatives to a Traditional Mortgage
Written by J. Mance Gordon
Updated at April 19th, 2024
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What is a deed of trust or security deed?
A deed of trust, or security deed, as it is known in some jurisdictions, is a form of mortgage. A borrower of money signs a promissory note demonstrating the debt owed to the lender. The promissory note will generally recite the purpose of the loan and indicate that it is secured by real property. The borrower then takes possession of the land and records her ownership. The borrower signs a deed of trust, which transfers the land to the lender.
The deed cannot be recorded except upon default. This effectively grants the lender a security interest in the real property as security for the loan. The difference between a deed of trust and a standard mortgage arises in how the security interest is recorded. A traditional mortgage simply records the security interest in the public records (registrar of deeds office) where the property is located.
The deed of trust takes a different tact. A third party serves as trustee and holds the deed transferring legal ownership of the land during the pendency of the mortgage. In some jurisdictions, the secured party will hold the deed, as opposed to employing the services of a third-party trustee. Once the mortgage is repaid, the trustee will surrender the deed to the purchaser. If the loan is not repaid, the lender will request that trustee turn over the deed. The lender will then record the deed in the public records to assume ownership of the property. The process of foreclosing on a deed of trust is commonly referred to as an administrative foreclosure. After recording the deed, the lender must then sell the property to recuperate the lent money.
Note: If the sale produces more funds than those owed along with foreclosure fees, the excess funds are returned to the borrower. The notable aspect of this arrangement is that the lender may not seek a deficiency judgment if the funds from the sale of the land are insufficient to pay off the loan.
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