Ace the Hawaii Pre-Licensing Exam 2026 – Surf Your Way to Real Estate Success!

A mortgage lien is the correct answer because it represents a legal claim against a property that allows the lender to take possession of the property if the borrower fails to repay the loan. When a borrower secures a loan using their property as collateral, the lender places a lien on that property to ensure that they have a legal right to recover their investment. This lien remains in effect until the mortgage is paid off, making it a primary legal claim associated with borrowing money for property purchase.

In contrast, a property appraisement is an evaluation of a property's value but does not constitute a claim against it. A real estate tax lien arises from unpaid property taxes, which is also a form of legal claim. However, in this context, it is less specific compared to the mortgage lien when discussing secured debts. A sale agreement relates to the transfer of ownership of property but does not signify a legal claim against it, as it primarily pertains to the intentions of the parties involved in a real estate transaction.