In a typical real estate loan, who is the lender?

• A. Mortgagor
• B. Debtor
• C. Mortgagee
• D. Lienholder

Answer: (C)

In a real estate loan, the lender is the mortgagee—the party that funds the loan and holds the mortgage as security on the property. The borrower is the mortgagor, who signs the promissory note and conveys an interest in the property to secure the loan. A lienholder is any party that holds a lien, not necessarily the lender, and debtor is a general term for someone who owes money. So the mortgagee is the specific term for the lender who holds the mortgage and the security interest.