How to Find Out What Mortgage Company Owns a House

A mortgage company does not truly “own” a house in the same way a homeowner does. When a property is purchased with a mortgage loan, the buyer holds the deed and maintains ownership. The mortgage company, or lender, instead holds a financial interest through a lien. This lien acts as a security interest, giving the lender a legal claim against the property until the loan is fully repaid. Should the borrower fail to meet the mortgage agreement terms, the lien provides the lender the right to initiate foreclosure proceedings to recover the outstanding debt.

Researching Public Property Records

Mortgage and property ownership records are publicly accessible at the county level. These records provide a transparent view into a property’s financial encumbrances and ownership history. Accessing this information often begins with identifying the correct local government office, such as the County Recorder’s Office, County Clerk’s Office, or Assessor’s Office.

Many counties offer online portals where these records can be searched, providing convenient access from a computer. These digital archives allow users to search by property owner’s name, address, or parcel number. If online access is limited or unavailable, records can be accessed in person at the county office or by submitting a mail request.

When searching these records, specific documents provide mortgage details. The “Deed of Trust” or “Mortgage Deed” is the primary document pledging the property as security for the loan, recorded with the county. This document identifies the original lender, borrower, property’s legal description, and loan amount. The “Assignment of Mortgage” records the transfer of a mortgage from one lender to another. This document is crucial for identifying the current mortgage holder, as mortgages are frequently bought and sold.

A “Satisfaction of Mortgage” or “Release of Lien” document signifies the loan has been fully paid off and the lien removed. Reviewing these documents systematically can reveal the mortgage’s chain of ownership. Information to extract includes the lender’s name and address, recording date, and any associated recording numbers. This approach helps pinpoint the entity that currently holds the mortgage lien.

Understanding Mortgage Holders and Loan Servicers

After reviewing public records, it is important to distinguish between a “mortgage holder” and a “loan servicer.” The mortgage holder, also known as the investor, is the entity that owns the mortgage debt. The loan servicer, conversely, is the company responsible for managing the administrative aspects of the loan.

Loan servicers handle tasks such as collecting monthly payments, managing escrow accounts for taxes and insurance, and responding to borrower inquiries. While the original lender may also be the servicer, the right to service a loan is often sold to a third-party company. The mortgage note itself can be sold multiple times to different investors, meaning the mortgage holder can change without the loan servicer changing. Conversely, the servicer can change while the mortgage holder remains the same.

Public records, particularly the “Assignment of Mortgage” document, identify the current mortgage holder. The most recent assignment recorded will point to the current owner of the mortgage debt. For homeowners, identifying the loan servicer is simpler, as their contact information is provided on monthly mortgage statements or payment coupon books. Public records do not directly identify the loan servicer, focusing instead on the legal claim to the property.

Other Avenues for Information

If direct public record research proves challenging or insufficient, other resources can help identify the mortgage company associated with a property. Title companies specialize in property research and play a significant role in real estate transactions.

They conduct thorough title searches, scrutinizing historical documents to identify any liens, encumbrances, or claims against a property. Title companies offer services such as detailed property reports and title insurance, which can reveal information about mortgage liens and their holders. Engaging a title company can provide a comprehensive overview of a property’s legal and financial history. While these services involve a fee, they offer expertise and access to extensive databases that can expedite the information-gathering process.

Online property databases and aggregators also exist, compiling public data from various sources. These websites can offer general property information, including ownership history and sometimes original loan details. Their utility for identifying the current mortgage holder can be limited, as the data may not be updated immediately after a mortgage assignment. They can serve as a starting point for preliminary research, but for definitive information, official county records or professional title services are more reliable.

Directly contacting the current property owner can be an option if their identity is known and the inquiry’s purpose is legitimate. This method allows for direct communication, though privacy considerations should always be respected. This avenue is suitable for specific, non-adversarial situations where a direct conversation can yield the desired information.