California Real Estate Broker ExaminationFinancingEasy

A buyer is obtaining a loan to purchase a home. Which of the following loan documents creates a lien against the property and specifies the terms of repayment?

  1. AGrant Deed
  2. BTrust Deed
  3. CPromissory Note
  4. DPreliminary Change of Ownership Report
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. Trust Deed

A Trust Deed (or Deed of Trust) is the document that pledges the property as security for the loan, creating a lien. The Promissory Note is the promise to repay, but the Trust Deed is what creates the security interest in the property.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. A Grant Deed transfers ownership of the property, it does not create a lien for a loan.
  • C. A Promissory Note is the promise to repay the debt, but it does not create the lien on the property itself.
  • D. A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is filed with the county recorder to inform them of a change in ownership for tax purposes, it is not a loan document.

Trust Deed

A legal document that pledges real property as security for a loan, creating a lien. It involves a borrower (trustor), a lender (beneficiary), and a neutral third party (trustee).

  • Creates a lien on the property
  • Used in California instead of a mortgage
  • Involves three parties: trustor, beneficiary, trustee

Memory trick: Note is the promise, Deed is the security.

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