Encumbrances, liens, and easements (mortgage, mortgage, property, legal)

[nycjowww]

Can someone please explain the following three terms for me. I have read the real estate book on them several times and they are complicated to understand.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by nycjowww

Can someone please explain the following three terms for me.
I have read the real estate book on them several times and they are complicated to understand.

Liens and easements are types of encumbrances.
Lien means someone claims a money right (like a mortgage or unpaid bill or garnishment)
Easement means someone claims a use right. (like power lines)

hth

[North Beach Person]

A lien is a debt owed for which the property is the security. An example would be a mechanic's lien would be filed if you didn't pay the roofer for your new roof. It would be considered an encumbrance.

An easement is the legal right for an entity, say an electric company, to cross or even use your property, You typically can't improve the property with a building, say a shed, or if you did you have to recognize the easement holder can come in and take it down to work on their equipment.

[dontaskwhy]

An easement can refer to a neighbor who uses part of another property to gain access to their own property.