Mortgage

A loan used to buy real estate. A mortgage is secured by the property it is used to purchase. One must make monthly payments on a mortgage, and there is a set term before full payment is due, often 15, 20, or 30 years. Some mortgages have fixed interest rates, while others have variable interest rates. If one defaults on a mortgage, the bank making it may take possession of the real estate and sell it to recover its investment. Some banks, notably savings and loans, specialize in making mortgage loans. See also: Mortgage-backed security.