Most home buyers have to borrow money in order to purchase their home. Few have enough money sitting in the bank, or in other easily saleable assets, to pay the entire cost of the home at once. (Even those few who do have enough money usually find it financially advantageous – perhaps for extra tax relief -- to borrow some of the money.) The home loan they receive is called a "mortgage." Generally, a mortgage is a loan of money to the home owner secured by a "lien" on the real estate.