### Question
What does mortgage mean?


### Answer
**Mortgage** has the following meaning in *12 U.S.C. § 1748*:

> a first mortgage on real estate, in fee simple, or on a leasehold (1) under a lease for not less than ninety-nine years which is renewable

#### Citation:
  - *12 U.S.C. § 1748*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 13-NATIONAL HOUSING > SUBCHAPTER VIII-ARMED SERVICES HOUSING MORTGAGE INSURANCE**

