What is the primary purpose of a lien?

A lien serves as a legal claim or right against a property, which is typically established to secure a debt obligation. When a borrower takes on debt to finance a property, the lender often places a lien on that property to ensure they have recourse to recover their funds if the borrower defaults. This means that if the borrower fails to make the required payments, the lender can enforce the lien, potentially leading to a foreclosure or seizure of the property in order to satisfy the outstanding debt.

This protective measure benefits lenders by providing them with a degree of security; they know that their financial interest is safeguarded by the ability to claim the property in case of non-payment. Consequently, the primary purpose of a lien revolves around securing debts, marking it as a foundational aspect of real estate finance.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary function of a lien. Incurring additional expenses for the property owner is not a purpose of a lien; rather, it can occur as a consequence of legal processes associated with liens. Similarly, while a lien can indirectly influence property sales by creating a cloud on the title, facilitating quicker sales is not its aim. Enhancing the value of a property is also unrelated, as liens typically impose a burden rather than contribute to the