DOCUMENT TYPES AND DEFINITIONS

Abandonment of Homestead - ABD Homestead
Document recorded to terminate a homestead.

Abstract of Judgment - ABST JDGT
A summary of the essential provisions of a money judgment. When recorded, it creates a general lien on real property of the judgment debtor in the county in which the abstract is recorded.

Assignment of Rents - ASSIGNMENT RENTS
A document that gives the beneficiary the right to collect rents of the secured property in the event of a default.

Certificate of Tax Lien - CTF TAX LIEN
A lien for nonpayment of property taxes. Attaches only to the property upon which the taxes are unpaid.

Convenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&R's) - RESTRICTIONS
A term used in some areas to describe the restrictive limitations which may be placed on property. In other areas, simply called restrictions.

Declaration of Homestead - HOMESTEAD
Document recorded by a homeowner to protect his home from forced sale in satisfaction of certain types of creditors' claims.

Deed - DEED
Written instrument which, when properly executed and delivered, transfers title to real estate.

Deed of Reconveyance - RECONVEYANCE
An instrument used to transfer title from a trustee to the equitable owner of real estate, when title is held as collateral security for a debt. Most commonly used upon payment in full of a trust deed.

Deed of Trust -
(See Trust Deed)

Easement - EASEMENT
The granting of a right which one has in the land of another. It is either for the benefit of land, such as a right to cross, or "in gross," such as a public utility easement.

Federal Tax Lien - FEDERAL TAX LIEN
A lien attaching to property for nonpayment of a federal tax (estate, income, etc).

Fictitious Deed of Trust - FICTITIOUS TR DD
A deed of trust recorded by a trustee which discloses all the terms of the trust deed but does not relate to a specific transaction and is used for reference only.

Grant Deed - DEED
Form of deed, common in California, which contains implied warranties to the effect that the grantor has not previously conveyed or encumbered the property.

Judgment - JUDGMENT
The final determination of a court of a matter presented to it. Money judgments, when recorded, become a lien on real property of the defendant.

Lien - LIEN
A charge upon property for the payment of debt or obligation.

Mechanic's Lien - MECHANIC'S LIEN
Statutory lien in favor of laborers and material suppliers who have performed work or furnished materials or supplies to a work of improvement. If not paid, they have a right to record a lien within a prescribed period of time.

Notice of Completion - NOTICE COMPLETION
Notice recorded under the California mechanic's lien law within ten days after completion of a structure; it shortens the time to file a mechanic's lien.

Notice of Default - DEFAULT
Recorded notice that a default has occurred under a deed of trust. It is the first step in non-judicial foreclosure of a deed of trust.

Notice of Rescission - RESCISSION
A recorded notice to rescind a notice of default of a mortgage or deed of trust.

Notice of Trustee Sale - NT TRUSTEE SALE
Foreclosure sale conducted by the trustee under a deed of trust after a default occurs.

Power of Attorney - POWER ATTORNEY
Instrument used to appoint an attorney-in-fact.

Quitclaim Deed - QUITCLAIM DEED
A deed used to transfer any interest in real property that the grantor may have. It contains no warranties of any kind.

Release - RELEASE
An instrument releasing property from the lien of the mortgage, judgment, etc. When a trust deed is used, the instrument is called a reconveyance. In some areas, a "discharge" is used instead of a release.

Request for Notice of Default - REQUEST NOTICE
A recorded notice made by the beneficiary of a trust deed that he be notified in the event that foreclosure proceedings are commenced by another party of interest.

State Tax Lien - STATE TAX LIEN
A lien attaching to property for nonpayment of state income tax.

Subordination Agreement - SUBDN AGMT
Agreement under which a prior or superior lien is made inferior or subject to an otherwise junior lien.

Trust Deed (Deed of Trust) - TR DEED
Written instrument by which title to land is transferred to a trustee as security for a debt or other obligation.

Trustee's Deed - TRUSTEES DEED
Deed given by the trustee when property is sold under the power of sale in a trust deed.

Uniform Commercial Code Financing Statement - UCC FINANCING STMT
A mortgage or security agreement using personal property as the collateral. These agreements are recorded in county if real property is affected.