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Assumption of Mortgage

An obligation undertaken by the purchaser of property to be personally liable for payment of an existing Mortgage. In an assumption, the purchaser is substituted for the original mortgagor in the mortgage instrument and the original mortgagor is to be released from further liability in the assumption, the mortgagee’s consent is usually required.

The original mortgagor should always obtain a written release from further liability if he/she desires to be fully released under the assumption. Failure to obtain such a release renders the original mortgagor liable if the person assuming the Mortgage fails to make the monthly payments.

An “Assumption of Mortgage” is often confused with “purchasing subject to a Mortgage .”
When one purchases subject to a mortgage, the purchaser agrees to make the monthly mortgage payments on an existing mortgage, but the original mortgagor remains personally liable if the purchaser fails to make the monthly payments. Since the original mortgagor remains liable in the event of default, the mortgagee’s consent is not required to a sale subject to a mortgage.

Both “Assumption of Mortgage” and “Purchasing Subject to a Mortgage” are used to finance the sale of property. They may also be used when a mortgagor is in financial difficulty and desires to sell the property to avoid foreclosure.