Lien
Ask USMI can help explain this term and how it shows up in a mortgage question.
Definition
A lien is a legal claim against property that secures a debt. A mortgage or deed of trust creates a lien. First lien and subordinate lien describe priority among those claims.
In plain English
If a lender can look to the house when a debt is not paid, the house has a lien on it. The everyday home loan creates that kind of claim. First and subordinate describe who stands in line, not whether a lien exists. This page is the general claim. It is not a foreclosure guide.
Technical definition
CFPB’s key-terms heading for a second mortgage or junior lien, together with the official security-interest page, is the official consumer basis for treating a mortgage as a lien on the home. The key-terms contrast is PRIMARY.
Why it matters
Title, refinance, and payoff questions all depend on what liens exist. Readers need the general word before the priority pages.
Related terms
Sources reviewed
Mortgage key terms
Source reviewedSeptember 4, 2026
What is a security interest?
Source reviewedSeptember 6, 2026
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