Which of the following is considered a lien on real estate?

A recorded mortgage is considered a lien on real estate because it represents a legal claim against the property that secures the repayment of a loan. When a mortgage is recorded, it becomes part of the public record, outlining the lender's interest in the property. This means that if the borrower fails to repay the loan, the lender has the right to take possession of the property through foreclosure to satisfy the debt.

In contrast, equitable title does not represent a lien but rather an interest in the property that gives the holder certain rights that do not yet confer full ownership. A contract for deed, also known as a land contract, creates a financial arrangement between buyer and seller where the buyer has the right to obtain legal title once the terms are fulfilled, but it doesn't itself serve as a lien. Lastly, a property tax statement indicates the amount of taxes owed on a property but is not a lien until it is actually assessed and recorded as such; while unpaid property taxes can become a lien, the statement itself does not represent a recorded legal claim until that process occurs.