### Question
What does first mortgage mean?


### Answer
**First mortgage** has the following meaning in *12 U.S.C. § 1749aaa*:

> such classes of first liens as are commonly given to secure advances (including but not limited to advances during construction) on, or the unpaid purchase price of, real estate under the laws of the State in which the real estate is located, together with the credit instrument or instruments, if any, secured thereby, and any mortgage may be in the form of one or more trust mortgages or mortgage indentures or deeds of trust, securing notes, bonds, or other credit instruments, and, by the same instrument or by a separate instrument, may create a security interest in initial equipment, whether or not attached to the realty

#### Citation:
  - *12 U.S.C. § 1749aaa*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 13-NATIONAL HOUSING > SUBCHAPTER IX&ndash;B-MORTGAGE INSURANCE FOR GROUP PRACTICE FACILITIES AND MEDICAL PRACTICE FACILITIES**

