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Understanding the Assignment of Mortgages: What You Need To Know

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A mortgage is a legally binding agreement between a home buyer and a lender that dictates a borrower's ability to pay off a loan. Every mortgage has an interest rate, a term length, and specific fees attached to it.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney .  Updated November 26, 2021

If you’re like most people who want to purchase a home, you’ll start by going to a bank or other lender to get a mortgage loan. Though you can choose your lender, after the mortgage loan is processed, your mortgage may be transferred to a different mortgage servicer . A transfer is also called an assignment of the mortgage. 

No matter what it’s called, this change of hands may also change who you’re supposed to make your house payments to and how the foreclosure process works if you default on your loan. That’s why if you’re a homeowner, it’s important to know how this process works. This article will provide an in-depth look at what an assignment of a mortgage entails and what impact it can have on homeownership.

Assignment of Mortgage – The Basics

When your original lender transfers your mortgage account and their interests in it to a new lender, that’s called an assignment of mortgage. To do this, your lender must use an assignment of mortgage document. This document ensures the loan is legally transferred to the new owner. It’s common for mortgage lenders to sell the mortgages to other lenders. Most lenders assign the mortgages they originate to other lenders or mortgage buyers.

Home Loan Documents

When you get a loan for a home or real estate, there will usually be two mortgage documents. The first is a mortgage or, less commonly, a deed of trust . The other is a promissory note. The mortgage or deed of trust will state that the mortgaged property provides the security interest for the loan. This basically means that your home is serving as collateral for the loan. It also gives the loan servicer the right to foreclose if you don’t make your monthly payments. The promissory note provides proof of the debt and your promise to pay it.

When a lender assigns your mortgage, your interests as the mortgagor are given to another mortgagee or servicer. Mortgages and deeds of trust are usually recorded in the county recorder’s office. This office also keeps a record of any transfers. When a mortgage is transferred so is the promissory note. The note will be endorsed or signed over to the loan’s new owner. In some situations, a note will be endorsed in blank, which turns it into a bearer instrument. This means whoever holds the note is the presumed owner.

Using MERS To Track Transfers

Banks have collectively established the Mortgage Electronic Registration System , Inc. (MERS), which keeps track of who owns which loans. With MERS, lenders are no longer required to do a separate assignment every time a loan is transferred. That’s because MERS keeps track of the transfers. It’s crucial for MERS to maintain a record of assignments and endorsements because these land records can tell who actually owns the debt and has a legal right to start the foreclosure process.

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Assignment of Mortgage Requirements and Effects

The assignment of mortgage needs to include the following:

The original information regarding the mortgage. Alternatively, it can include the county recorder office’s identification numbers. 

The borrower’s name.

The mortgage loan’s original amount.

The date of the mortgage and when it was recorded.

Usually, there will also need to be a legal description of the real property the mortgage secures, but this is determined by state law and differs by state.

Notice Requirements

The original lender doesn’t need to provide notice to or get permission from the homeowner prior to assigning the mortgage. But the new lender (sometimes called the assignee) has to send the homeowner some form of notice of the loan assignment. The document will typically provide a disclaimer about who the new lender is, the lender’s contact information, and information about how to make your mortgage payment. You should make sure you have this information so you can avoid foreclosure.

Mortgage Terms

When an assignment occurs your loan is transferred, but the initial terms of your mortgage will stay the same. This means you’ll have the same interest rate, overall loan amount, monthly payment, and payment due date. If there are changes or adjustments to the escrow account, the new lender must do them under the terms of the original escrow agreement. The new lender can make some changes if you request them and the lender approves. For example, you may request your new lender to provide more payment methods.

Taxes and Insurance

If you have an escrow account and your mortgage is transferred, you may be worried about making sure your property taxes and homeowners insurance get paid. Though you can always verify the information, the original loan servicer is responsible for giving your local tax authority the new loan servicer’s address for tax billing purposes. The original lender is required to do this after the assignment is recorded. The servicer will also reach out to your property insurance company for this reason.  

If you’ve received notice that your mortgage loan has been assigned, it’s a good idea to reach out to your loan servicer and verify this information. Verifying that all your mortgage information is correct, that you know who to contact if you have questions about your mortgage, and that you know how to make payments to the new servicer will help you avoid being scammed or making payments incorrectly.

Let's Summarize…

In a mortgage assignment, your original lender or servicer transfers your mortgage account to another loan servicer. When this occurs, the original mortgagee or lender’s interests go to the next lender. Even if your mortgage gets transferred or assigned, your mortgage’s terms should remain the same. Your interest rate, loan amount, monthly payment, and payment schedule shouldn’t change. 

Your original lender isn’t required to notify you or get your permission prior to assigning your mortgage. But you should receive correspondence from the new lender after the assignment. It’s important to verify any change in assignment with your original loan servicer before you make your next mortgage payment, so you don’t fall victim to a scam.

Attorney Todd Carney

Attorney Todd Carney is a writer and graduate of Harvard Law School. While in law school, Todd worked in a clinic that helped pro-bono clients file for bankruptcy. Todd also studied several aspects of how the law impacts consumers. Todd has written over 40 articles for sites such... read more about Attorney Todd Carney

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Mortgage Reporter

Assignment of mortgage & loan agreement in dispute.

Posted January 25th, 2018 by elliottmay

The issue of an Assignment of Mortgage came under dispute in a recent Supreme Court of Western Australia ruling. Was the transfer of loans to a third party valid?

In La Trobe v MDVest [2017], the borrowers disputed three prior judgments in favour of the lender. They contended that the lender was not entitled to judgment in each action. The borrowers presented a number of reasons for resisting judgment, including the issue of Assignment.

What is an Assignment of Mortgage?

A mortgage over a property provides the lender with security for loans made to a mortgagor. From time to time banks or lenders will buy or sell these mortgages. An Assignment is the legal process by which the debt and associated mortgage is transferred from one lender to another. This will often be formalised by way of a deed of assignment including a transfer of mortgage. 

A Notice of Assignment informs the debtor that a third party has taken over their debt and security.

In August 2013 the credit provider, Permanent Mortgages, entered a loan agreement with the borrowers. A mortgage over a property in Dempster Road, Myrup provided security for the loan. Permanent Mortgages was the first registered mortgagee.

The initial loan had a 12 month repayment term. A further 2 year renewal resulted in the loan repayment expiring on 31 August 2016.

Assignment of mortgage, loan agreement and guarantee

In October 2015 Permanent Mortgages assigned its interest in the loan agreements, mortgage and guarantees to La Trobe Financial. In December the registration of the transfer of mortgage occurred. However, due to an oversight, no written assignment of the loan agreement and guarantee occurred in October.

Subsequently, the borrowers defaulted on the terms of the loans and the lender obtained judgments.

The borrowers, however, contested the right of La Trobe to the judgments.

Assignment of mortgage not effective

The borrowers contended that the assignment of mortgage, loan agreement and guarantee was not effective.

The first argument was that the Deed of Rectification was not admissible as it was not stamped for duty. According to the Duties Act 2008 (WA) , duty is imposed on dutiable transactions. However, if the balance of the mortgage is equal to or greater than the market value of the security interest, then the assignment is not a dutiable transaction. The Court found this to be the case, concluding that no duty was payable.

Secondly, the borrowers argued that, on the balance of probabilities, the assignment did not occur. In this instance, the Court disagreed and found no reason to dismiss the evidence provided by La Trobe’s mortgage manager. The evidence, together with the recitals to a Deed of Rectification, satisfied the Court that the assignment indeed took place in October 2015.  

No notice of the assignment given

The borrowers further asserted that they received no written Notice of Assignment.

The Property Law Act 1969 (WA) states that in the assignment of debt, the debtor must receive notice in writing. However, evidence showed that on 2 occasions the lender provided written communication of the assignment to the borrowers.

Periodically the assignment of debt takes place between lenders. Therefore it is important that the arrangement is properly documented. And that both the debt and all relevant forms of security are transferred to the assignee. It is too often the case that a lender will assign the debt but neglect to assign or transfer the mortgage.  This results in a situation where the assignee holds the right to enforce the debt but no right to recourse against any security property as this remains with the original lender. When this happens, the assignee is in the unenviable position of being an unsecured creditor.

Proper notice of the assignment of the debt and security should also be provided to the debtors and mortgagors without delay.

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Mortgage Assignment Agreement

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Updated January 04, 2023

A mortgage assignment agreement is between a holder of debt (assignor) and a party that assumes the debt (assignee). Under most mortgages, the borrower has no rights to object. Since a mortgage is centered upon a specific borrower’s credit profile, it is difficult to replace with a new borrower.

Where to Record

Any change made to a mortgage should be recorded in the Registry of Deeds (see table below) where the property is located. This will make the change official for public and private purposes.

NSW Land Registry Services

Registrar general's guidelines.

• Deposited plans
• Strata schemes
• Community schemes
• Water dealings
• Land dealings
• Common features
• Deeds Index Particulars
• Documents lodged
• Acknowledgment
• Agreements contracts
• Agricultural goods mortgages
• Bills of sale
• Book debts (assignment of)
• Causes, writs and orders of court
• Change of name - deed poll
• Conveyances
• General Frame
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• Memorials (Acts of Parliament)
• Power of attorney
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Assignment of mortgage

ADIS Code -  MASS

An assignment of mortgage is a transfer of the mortgage debt and conveyance of the legal estate of the mortgagee in the mortgaged property. It vests the debt and estate in the assignee, together with all the rights, powers and remedies of the mortgage.

The assignor is the mortgagee who is disposing of the mortgage.

The assignee is the mortgagee acquiring the mortgage.

The original mortgage is required.

Application form

An assignment of mortgage may be drawn in the short form as set out in Schedule 5 Part 5 Conveyancing Act 1919 . The mortgagor may be a party to the assignment.

Lodgment requirements

Stamp duty -  Required if dated before 1.1.1983. If not marked Registration insisted upon , is prohibited. Not required if dated on or after 1.1.1983.

Registration copy - Required. If unacceptable, Registration insisted upon  is prohibited.

Statement of Title Particulars form  - Not required.

NOS form  - Not required.

Index Particulars form (completion)

(A) Lodging Party - Must be completed.

(B) Instrument -  Mortgage - Transfer / Assignment of

(C) Locality -  Not required.

Link Conveyance - Not required.

Principal Deed - The registered affected mortgage.

(D) Indexing -  The mortgagor and the assignee.

(E) Certification -  Required.

Document requirements 

Date: must be dated with the date of execution. If not dated advise the lodging party. If a date is not furnished, indicate Registration insisted upon  and include the reason.

Name: the full names (initials are acceptable) of the assignor and the assignee (and the mortgagor if included) are required. Advise the lodging party of any discrepancies in names.

Operative clause:   "... hereby assigns...".

Principal Deed:   the number of the affected mortgage as stated in the assignment must be identical to the number stated on the IPF.

Execution:   by the assignor and the assignee (and the mortgagor if included).  A power of attorney must be registered.

Attestation: required. Must be witnessed by a person of 18 years of age or older who is not a party to the document.

IPF: must be completed.

Staff processing information

An assignment of an unregistered mortgage must be entered in the General Frame, ie code G, with a Noting: "Assignment of unregistered mortgage dated ... affecting [description of land]". Enter the mortgagor and the mortgagee as Vendors entries.

Assignment included in the mortgage

Where the assignment is included in or is endorsed on the original mortgage and is drawn in the short form set out in Schedule 5 Part 5 Conveyancing Act 1919 :

• the registration copy is of the assignment only
• check the Book and No. of the mortgage and the appropriate parties and
• write Assignment above the Registered seal.

CA Not required

Locality:   nil.

Link Conveyance:   nil.

Principal Deed: required. The registered affected mortgage.

Noting: "Affecting [description of land]".

If the assignment affects:

• an interest, state: "interest in" (or Noting Code: "I"
• a share, state: "[fraction] share"
• part of the land, state: "[affected land description]"
• the land description relies on an attached plan, state: "see attached plan" (or Noting Code: "PL").

V:   the mortgagor, and the assignee, deceased estates or trusts, and any variations thereof.

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What Is an Assignment of Mortgage?

• Post author: Dean Adams
• Post published: December 3, 2020
• Post category: Real Estate Investor

A mortgage is a loan secured by a real estate investor to procure or buy a property. It is a debt instrument that the borrower is obliged to meet with agreed terms of payment. The collateral of a specific real estate property secures a mortgage.

In this article, we will be talking about the assignment of the mortgage. What does this term mean? How does it work? Is the assignment of mortgage important? These are some questions that will be answered as we proceed with this article.

Defining Assignment of Mortgage

Assignment of mortgage is defined as a document that transfers a mortgage from the original lender to another lender. Assignment of mortgage can happen more than once, even without the knowledge of the borrower. This may be done over again until the mortgage balance is paid.

However, the lender is required to send the borrower a notice to inform him of the sale and a copy of what the terms of mortgage payments are. Terms and conditions of the transaction may vary, depending on the agreement of the mortgagee, and the Assignments of mortgage are frequently seen when the lender sells a mortgage to another lender.

A reason for the execution of the mortgage assignment is when the mortgage becomes delinquent, and the mortgagee feels that the mortgagor has no interest in doing something about it.

How the Assignment of Mortgage Works?

As defined, the mortgage assignment happens when the original mortgagee (the assignor) transfers the mortgage to a buyer (the assignee), who will turn out to be the new lender of the real property owner. In other words, he sells the mortgage to another lender without letting the borrower know of his intent to sell.

However, upon completing the mortgage assignment with a third party, the mortgagee must let the borrower know about the transactions. He must send the necessary documents to the borrower indicating important details such as the name of the new lender, contact information, and their agreement regarding predetermined payments and other terms of the transaction.

Assignors can benefit from the assignment of a mortgage. Property taxes , occupancy fees, and closing costs may be too costly for the lender.

Benefits of Assignment of Mortgage

The mortgagor may be experiencing financial difficulties himself or is moving out; hence, the selling of the mortgaged property happens. Mortgage assignments can free the lender of these costs. For the assignee or the third party buyer, assigning mortgages would mean acquiring a real estate property at a discounted price.

The agreement can help the assignee save thousands of dollars, to his benefit, of course. Another advantage of the transfer of a mortgage to the third party buyer is aside from acquiring a new unit at a discounted price, and the maintenance fees may be lower, too.

Getting a land transfer tax benefit may also be among the advantages of the assignment of a mortgage to an assignor.

Borrower’s Benefit

The borrowers cannot contest the sale or assignment of mortgage. However, if the borrower wants to stop or do something about the mortgage assignments, he can apply for a new mortgage and pays off the old one.

The transfer of mortgages may benefit the borrower, in a way. In cases where the borrower is under financial stress, his mortgage payments may be affected. If this happens, the possibility of foreclosure is high. Assignment of mortgage can prevent foreclosure because it will be like getting a new loan.

In other words, the amount of the balance of the delinquent mortgage of the original loan will be paid off by the transfer of the mortgage.

How Assigning Mortgages to Third Parties Work?

In simple terms, the mortgage assignment transfers a mortgage from the first mortgagee to a third-party mortgagor. In other words, the mortgagee sells the mortgage to another lender. This process may be done several times until the borrower pays off the loan.

A mortgage assignment must be recorded in the county record. This is made so the assignment of the rights under the mortgage of the original bank may be assigned. If and when the owner of the home does not meet the mortgage, then the foreclosure process may be initiated.

However, if the assignment of mortgage was not properly executed, the foreclosure can be challenged by the real estate property owner.

Challenging Foreclosure

How will the borrowers know if the assignments of mortgages are valid or not? Borrowers must understand the necessary documents, basic terms, and the persons involved in mortgage transfers.

When making a loan, closing a deal with a lender would require the real property owner to sign documents. Such documents include a deed of trust (mortgage) and a promissory note. A deed of trust is an assurance that the loan is secured, the evidence of which is represented by the promissory note.

Assignments of mortgage is a common transaction with banks. Since the assignment of the mortgage refers to the transferring of a mortgage from a lender to another lender, the transaction must be supported by a document known as the “Assignment.”

This document should include important information like the names of the current owner and the new owner, the name of the debtor, the amount of the initial mortgage, records of the first mortgage containing pertinent information, and the legal description of the real estate property. The homeowner should be provided with the documents or a note to inform him of the assignment of the mortgage.

Seeking Legal Advice

Once the owner of the home has even the slightest hint of doubt regarding the transaction, seeking legal advice is recommended. Find the right lawyer, a lawyer whose expertise is on this subject. An attorney can help you determine the legality of the transaction.

Take note; once the mortgage assignment is not executed correctly, then the lawyer can help you pursue a case to challenge the foreclosure of your property. An attorney who is familiar with this subject knows the ins and outs of the process.

Therefore, hiring one to help you out with the case is essential. Make sure you make a note of important details and have a copy of every document. Among these documents are the deed of trust (assures the security of the loan), a copy of the mortgage assignment, a notice from the creditor that the mortgage has been transferred, and other necessary documents.

It is crucial to find the right lawyer to help out, not only if you are facing a foreclosure issue, but to guide you with the process. Finding an attorney who has enough knowledge about real estate processes can help you make sure that the assigned mortgage was executed correctly and that the transaction records are kept.

An owner of the home may not have enough information about mortgage assignments. Therefore, it is vital to find an attorney who can ensure the security of your property and the mortgage.

It cannot be denied that loans are part of our lives, especially during difficult times. It is also innate in humans to dream of acquiring a home or a real estate property. To realize this dream, people acquire properties through mortgage loans. Things can run smoothly at first.

However, a time comes when a financial crisis happens. In this case, loan payments, especially mortgages, might be affected. Is this the end of your happy life? Will your property be foreclosed? If you will not do something about it, foreclosure is possible.

However, there are several options to saving your property from foreclosure, especially if the lender demands that you settle your account. In this case, the mortgage is assigned to another lender. This process is called an assignment of mortgage, where your debt is transferred to another lender by the first lender. This is like restructuring your loan.

The only thing is, it happens with another lender. Assignment of mortgage is one way to pay off the mortgage on the first lender while extending the term of your mortgage, therefore, preventing foreclosure. As a lender, be responsible for executing the assignment of mortgage properly. It should appear on the county record and has to follow legal procedures.

This will not only free the borrower of his obligations to you but will also secure the transaction and the interest of the parties involved. As a borrower, take note of all the necessary information. Read related articles to make you more knowledgeable on the subject.

Once the a ssignment of mortgage is made, a borrower will be dealing with another creditor and not the one with whom the initial mortgage was acquired. To avoid encountering problems with a mortgage, make sure you settle your dues. If such situations occur, communicate with the creditor and discuss ways to resolve the issue.

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Assigning Loan Documents: Practical Reminders

The recent Supreme Court of Delaware case  J.M. Shrewsbury v. The Bank of New York Mellon ,   CA No. N15L-03-108 (Del. 2017), provides a reminder of the importance of clearly documenting the assignment of loan documents. The Court’s holding requires that prior to the assignee of a mortgage loan filing suit on the note or mortgage, the assignee must have received both an allonge/assignment of the note and an assignment of the mortgage. The case is a reminder of the importance of maintaining a precise chain of title when assigning loan documents. The facts of the case as described below demonstrate the need to make sure that you “don’t leave the note behind.”

In 2007, J.M. Shrewsbury and Kathy Shrewsbury signed a promissory note in favor of Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. Concurrently, the Shrewburys were granted a mortgage to secure their obligations under the note, which mortgage encumbered real property in Delaware. In 2011, the mortgage was assigned to The Bank of New York Mellon (Bank). In 2013, the Shrewsburys requested and received a copy of the original note, which contained no indication that the note had been assigned. Neither party disputed the fact that the Shrewsburys stopped making mortgage payments in 2010.

The Bank commenced a mortgage foreclosure action in 2015 in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware,  Bank of N.Y. Mellon v. Shrewsbury , C.A. No. N15L-03-108 CLS (Del. Super. Ct. Feb. 17, 2016). In holding in favor of the Bank, the Superior Court found that the Bank need only show that it had a valid assignment of the mortgage to enforce its rights. The Shrewsburys appealed the decision to the Court.

In reversing and remanding the decision of the Superior Court, the Court followed its reasoning in Iowa-Wisconsin Bridge Co. v. Phoenix Finance Corporation, Iowa-Wisconsin Bridge Co. v. Phoenix Finance Corporation , 25 A.2d 383, 389 (Del. 1942), stating that a debt is an essential requisite to a mortgage. While persuaded by wide-ranging case law and other respected authorities, the Court’s decision relied most heavily on the United States Supreme Court case  Carpenter v. Longan,  83 U.S. 271 (1872), holding that the “note and mortgage are inseparable; the former as essential, the latter as an incident. An assignment of the note carries the mortgage with it, while an assignment of the latter alone is a nullity.”

Practical Reminders

While this case involved a residential transaction, important considerations can be applied in commercial mortgage transactions whether in connection with construction, bridge or permanent mortgage financing, a loan sale, a transfer of a loan to an affiliate of the original lender, or other assignment of the loan.

Practical reminders include:

• Make sure that the chain of title is precise when assigning the mortgage, the note and other collateral documents such as assignments of leases and rents, guarantees and UCC’s. Don’t leave the note “behind.”
• Assign and endorse the note by allonge so that the chain of title is complete. Firmly affix the allonge(s) to the underlying note.
• Keep good records of all documentation, including recorded ( i.e. the mortgage an assignment of mortgage) and unrecorded documents. Retain originals in a safe place (such as under the control of a custodian or servicer or in a vault) and copies of all loan documents including assignment documents.
• When the loan is assigned, always deliver the original note along with the original allonge.

Members of our Real Estate and Finance Groups regularly handle commercial real estate financing and sales transactions throughout the country. If you have questions or would like further information, please contact Tim Davis ( davist@whiteandwilliams.com ; 215.864.6829) or Pat Haggerty ( haggertyp@whiteandwilliams.com ; 215.864.6811).

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Real Estate Terms

Mortgage Assignment Definition

September 1, 2023

By Dyana Branchen

When the mortgage lender assigns their mortgage and its interest to a new lender, it’s called mortgage assignment . The lender uses an assignment-of-mortgage document to transfer the mortgage legally.

It is important for real estate students and agents to understand how mortgage assignment takes place. As a real estate professional, I will help you define mortgage assignments for your real estate exam.

In this post, I’ll break down the mortgage assignment definition and explain it with the help of examples. Let’s get started!

What Is Mortgage Assignment?

A mortgage assignment is when a mortgage lender transfers a mortgage account and its interests to another lender. Assignment of mortgage is a document that indicates the transfer of mortgage between the lenders. This type of assignment is mostly seen when a mortgage lender sells the mortgage to a new lender.

Mortgage lenders have the right to assign and sell their mortgages to other parties, while borrowers are not. If a borrower transfers their mortgage to another person, it is called an assumed mortgage.

Mortgage lenders aren’t required to inform the borrower when they transfer their mortgages. However, the new lender has to notify the borrower about the mortgage assignment and set the payment schedule with the borrower. If the borrower doesn’t want to work with the lender, they can apply for a new mortgage and pay off the old mortgage.

How Does Assignment of Mortgage Take Place?

Mortgage lenders often assign their mortgages to other lenders to free up money. When a mortgage assignment occurs, the new lender steps in place of the original lender and takes their mortgage obligations. The assignment of mortgage document has the following contents:

• The legal description of the property in discussion (the collateral)
• Name of the original lender
• Name of the third-party (new lender)
• Name of the borrower
• The jurisdiction where it was recorded
• The amount of money loaned originally
• The date on which the assignment of mortgage becomes valid

After preparing the assignment of mortgage document, the mortgage lender files it in a government office that deals with property taxes, ownership records, and other real estate matters. After the mortgage has been filed and transferred to the new lender, the borrower is notified. The borrower can confirm the sale of the mortgage and inquire about the new lender. They can also negotiate mortgage rates and terms.

Once the original lender has assigned the mortgage to a new lender, they will not receive mortgage payments. The borrower will pay the monthly mortgage payments to the new lender after the assignment of mortgage. However, the original lender will free up capital by assigning the mortgage to a new lender. This will help the original mortgage lender to offer more mortgages and generate more income.

After the borrower has paid the mortgage in full to the new lender, the lender must file a satisfaction of mortgage . After the satisfaction of mortgage has been recorded, the borrower’s property will be free of the lien.

Effects of Mortgage Assignments

When a lender transfers a mortgage, the original terms of the mortgage remain the same. The interest rate, monthly payments, and total payments to pay off the mortgage remain unchanged. The term and rates after mortgage assignment are the same as at closing.

However, some things might change. For instance, the borrower must check the payment method and know where the payments should go. This is important to know as the borrower should make the payments to the right holder of the mortgage.

Another thing that might change after mortgage assignment is the process that the lender will follow if the borrower defaults. Mortgage lenders use different notification methods, which the borrower must be familiar with to avoid confusion. The following are the effects of the assignment of mortgage:

Notice to Borrower

The original lender doesn’t send notice to the borrower for assigning the mortgage. They don’t need the permission of the borrower to transfer the mortgage either. However, the new mortgage holder has to notify the borrower about the mortgage assignment.

Modification

No modification occurs after mortgage assignment. The original features of the mortgage remain the same after the assignment of the mortgage. The mortgage balance, interest rate, and monthly payments will not change.

The changes to an escrow account are also down according to the original escrow agreement. However, if there is a modification, such as an additional payment method, it would be at the request of the borrower and the mortgage lender’s discretion.

Effects on Escrow Payments

Mortgage lenders receive the bills for the property from the municipality. However, when the lender transfers the mortgage to another lender and files it at the local recorder’s office, a copy is sent to the municipality too. After the assignment of mortgage, the taxing municipality sends the tax bills to the new lender’s address.

Mortgage Assignment Example

Alice wants to purchase a property. After making a down payment, she has to pay $175,000 to the seller to purchase the property. Bank-A offers $175,000 to Alice, and she purchases the house. The following is the breakdown of the mortgage:

• Mortgage balance : $175,000
• Mortgage term : 15 years
• Rate : 4.5%
• Monthly payments : $1,519

Alice has to pay $1,519 to Bank-A every month, which includes the interest and principal. After five years, Bank-A decides to sell the mortgage to Bank B. At this time, Alice has a remaining balance of $119,657.98, which she has to pay to Bank-A.

Bank-A files for the assignment of mortgage documents at the local county office, and Bank-B takes the mortgage from here. Bank-B notifies Alice she has to make the monthly payments of $1,519 to Bank-B now. However, the remaining mortgage term is 10 years, as she has already paid off for the previous 5 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mortgage assignment is the process of mortgage transfer from one lender to another lender. The original lender does this transfer to a new lender. Usually, a mortgage assignment is done for selling the mortgage to a third party.

Who Files the Assignment of Mortgage?

The original lender files the assignment of mortgage at the local county’s office. The new lender notifies the borrower about the assignment of mortgage.

What Happens After Mortgage Assignment?

After the mortgage assignment, the new lender takes the role of the original lender. The borrower has to make mortgage payments to the new lender after the mortgage assignment. The rates and terms on the mortgage with the new lender remain the same as they were with the previous lender.

Why Do Lenders Sell Mortgages?

Lenders mostly sell mortgages for two reasons. First, they want to free up capital to provide more mortgages to other borrowers. Second, they want to generate income by selling the mortgage to another lender. The original lender charges a fee from the new lender, and this way, cash is generated.

What Is Assignment Fraud?

Assignment fraud is when a fake company sends a notice to the borrower and acts like a new lender. This happens when the original lender hasn’t assigned the mortgage to any other lender. In this case, there is a chance that the borrower sends payments to the fake company, mistaking it as a mortgage assignment. Thus, it is important for the borrower to confirm with the original lender before making any mortgage payment to anyone else.

What to Know for the Real Estate Exam

A mortgage assignment is when the original lender transfers the mortgage to a new lender. This type of assignment is common between lenders who sell mortgages to each other. Lenders sell mortgages to free up capital and buy more mortgages to offer them to other borrowers. Mortgage assignment doesn’t change anything for the borrower, except that the borrower has to make mortgage payments to the new lender.

Do you now understand how mortgage assignment works? If you are unclear about something, let me know in the comments. Once you’re done, go through these Real Estate Terms  to learn more definitions.

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Texas voters give resounding approval to $18 billion property tax cut in November election

In the off-year election to amend the texas constitution, voters were poised to pass 13 of the 14 statewide ballot initiatives..

Texas voters overwhelmingly granted themselves a whopping $18 billion property tax cut in Tuesday's off-year constitutional amendment election, and the lawmaker who spearheaded the drive to put the issue on the statewide ballot said homeowners can expect to realize their savings almost immediately.

"The results (of Proposition 4) are already in the tax bills that are being mailed right now," Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, told the USA TODAY Network late Tuesday after it was clear the measure would pass. "The average tax assessor will send out a revision to mortgage companies by January, so (homeowners who pay property taxes through) escrow accounts, which is roughly about half of the homes ... will have an escrow reduction starting next year."

The property tax measure was one of 14 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution , and voters on Tuesday approved 13 of them in an election short on personalities and partisanship, but one that will have far-reaching implications for Texans' bank accounts and quality of life.

Among the other voter-approved measures were proposals to establish dedicated funds to improve and expand state parks, prepare for future statewide water needs and extend the reach of broadband internet to the most remote parts of the state.

Live results: Get the latest results on Texas 14 proposed amendments

But the tax cut proposal was the statewide election's centerpiece. And top-ranking elected officials were ebullient, claiming victory soon after the unofficial early vote returns showed Prop 4 drawing huge margins of support from nearly all regions of the state, even as the final results slowly trickled in from all 254 counties.

"The largest property tax cut in Texas history has passed thanks to Texans who made their voices heard at the polls today!" Gov. Greg Abbott said in a social media post about 90 minutes after polls closed in most of the state.

Bettencourt, who guided the measure through the Legislature, issued a superlative-laden emailed statement to celebrate the victory.

More: 14 constitutional amendments on the Texas ballot on Election Day and what they mean

"There is one State in the Union that just voted for $18.1 billion of property tax reduction, Prop. 4, and that’s the State of Texas!" he said in a news release. "As I predicted, Proposition 4 was passed tonight by a supermajority of voters because of the State’s surplus they will see eye-popping savings!"

With all precincts in the state reporting unofficial results as of Wednesday morning, voters also embraced some lower-profile tax reduction initiatives — again by decisive margins.

Proposition 2: Tax breaks for child care centers

A proposal meant to help early childhood education centers save on property taxes, Prop 2 drew nearly 65% of the vote and will give cities and counties the option to waive some or all of a local child care center's property taxes, election results show.

Proponents of the proposition hope it will help child care centers balance their need to increase staff pay with a desire to keep tuition low for parents.

Proposition 3: Barring an individual wealth tax

Prop 3, which prohibits the Legislature from imposing a tax based on the wealth or net worth of an individual or family, cruised to victory with nearly 68% of the vote.

Much of the preelection attention focused on the massive property tax cut package, for its sheer monetary size and the extent of its reach.

The tax cut was made possible by a record-shattering $33 billion surplus that greeted lawmakers when they assembled in Austin for the 2023 legislative session. However, how to return $18 billion of that excess pool of money to the taxpayers proved more challenging than state Republican leaders had expected.

Divisions between the two chambers kept the Legislature from passing the measure during the regular legislative session that ended in May, forcing lawmakers to try again and finally pass it during a special session in summer.

Livestream: Some Texas counties are required to livestream election ballot storage areas. Here's why.

Proposition 4: Authorizing property tax cuts

Now that voters have given it final approval, Prop 4 exempts the first $100,000 of a homestead's appraised value from taxation and slashes school districts’ maintenance and operations property tax rate by 10.7 cents per $100 of property valuation. The present homestead exemption caps out at $40,000.

Bettencourt said he expects county tax assessors to notify mortgage lenders in the coming weeks of the new reductions, and homeowners who pay their property taxes via escrow should notice their monthly payments begin to drop as early as January.

The measure offers no direct relief to renters, although the proposal's backers have suggested that landlords would pass along savings on to tenants.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — who as the presiding officer of the Texas Senate was among the first elected officials to call for raising the property tax homestead exemption to $100,000 — pointed out that the tax savings were in the pipeline even before voters cast their ballots and will carry on unless or until voters act to reverse them.

"The property tax relief in Proposition 4 is retroactive to this tax year and results in thousands and thousands of dollars of tax benefits over the lifetime of your homestead," Patrick said on X, formerly Twitter.

Proposition 13: Retirement age for judges

Nearly all of the statewide propositions won by comfortable margins, except one, according to the secretary of state's unofficial election tally. Voters decidedly rejected a plan to raise the mandatory retirement age for state judges and justices.

As presently written, the Texas Constitution requires justices and judges on the appellate courts, district courts and criminal district courts to retire on the expiration of the term during which they reach the age of 75 years or an earlier age, not less than 70 years. Proposition 13 would have raised the mandatory retirement age to 79.

How the 14 Texas constitutional amendment proposals fared:

• Proposition 1: Limiting regulations on farming  — Approved with 79% support.
• Proposition 2: Tax breaks for child care centers  — Approved with 65% support.
• Proposition 3: Barring an individual wealth tax — Approved with 68% support.
• Proposition 4: Authorizing property tax cuts  — Approved with 83% support.
• Proposition 5: Research at public universities  — Approved with 64% support.
• Proposition 6: Funding for water projects  — Approved with 78% support.
• Proposition 7: Funding for electricity plants  — Approved with 65% support.
• Proposition 8: Expanding high-speed internet  — Approved with 69% support.
• Proposition 9: Cost-of-living increase for teachers  — Approved with 84% support.
• Proposition 10: Tax breaks for medical manufacturers  — Approved with 55% support.
• Proposition 11: El Paso County parks  — Approved with 63% support.
• Proposition 12: Abolishing the Galveston County treasurer's office  — Approved with 53% support.
• Proposition 13: Retirement age for judges  — Rejected with 63% in opposition.
• Proposition 14: $1 billion for state parks  — Approved with 76.5% support.