What is another term commonly used for a loan secured by real estate?

A mortgage loan is specifically designed as a loan that is secured by real property, such as a house or land. This means that the property itself serves as collateral for the loan, providing security to the lender in case the borrower defaults on their payments. The structure of a mortgage loan typically involves a borrower agreeing to repay the loan amount along with interest over a specified period, usually leading to property ownership once the loan is fully repaid.

This terminology is widely used in real estate transactions, and understanding it is essential for anyone involved in real estate or loan signing practices. Other options listed, such as a home equity line of credit, pertain to borrowing against the equity of a home, while personal and auto loans are unsecured or secured by personal property that isn't real estate, thus differing fundamentally in their structure and application.