A subordination agreement, specifically in relation to Arizona real estate transactions, is a legal document that modifies the priority of a lien on a property. It is commonly used when a borrower seeks to refinance their mortgage while maintaining the existing deed of trust in place. In Arizona, the most common type of subordination agreement is the Arizona Subordination Agreement (Deed of Trust). This agreement is created to adjust the order of priority between a newly originated deed of trust and an existing one. It allows a new lender to move into a first lien position on the property, while the original lender is subordinated to a secondary position. The primary purpose of an Arizona Subordination Agreement (Deed of Trust) is to reassure the new lender that, in the event of a foreclosure, their lien will take precedence over the previous one. This eliminates potential conflicts between lenders and ensures the order of repayment is properly established. Subordination agreements are particularly beneficial when a property owner wants to refinance their mortgage at a better interest rate or obtain additional financing without needing to pay off the existing mortgage. By subordinating their existing loan, the property owner can secure new financing without disturbing the current first lien position. It is important to note that the Arizona Subordination Agreement (Deed of Trust) is the most common type, but there may be variations and customized agreements based on specific loan scenarios. Some alternatives to the standard subordination agreement include: 1. Construction subordination agreement: This type of agreement is used during property construction projects when multiple lenders are involved. It defines the priority of liens for each lender during different stages of construction, ensuring proper repayment order in case of default or foreclosure. 2. Subordination of junior liens: In cases where there are multiple mortgages on a property and the borrower wants to modify the order of priority between the junior liens, a specialized subordination agreement can be created. This agreement alters the hierarchy of liens, allowing a specific lender to move up or down in priority. 3. Modification subordination agreement: This type of agreement is utilized when changes occur to an existing mortgage or loan agreement, such as an extension of the term or adjustment in interest rate. It allows the lender to retain their lien priority while acknowledging the changes made to the original loan terms. In summary, an Arizona Subordination Agreement (Deed of Trust) is a legal document that adjusts the priority of liens on a property, typically used during refinancing or multiple loan scenarios. While the standard agreement is the most common, customized alternatives exist to cater to specific loan arrangements or modifications.