Which of the following takes priority among liens?

The concept of "first to record is first in right" is foundational in real estate and lien hierarchy. This principle establishes that the order in which liens are recorded determines their priority; the first lien filed against a property typically takes precedence over those recorded subsequently. This means that if a property is sold or foreclosed, the lien recorded first will be paid off before any later liens.

This principle is crucial for both lenders and buyers, as it allocates which creditors get paid first in the event of a foreclosure or sale. Understanding this order is essential when dealing with various types of loans and mortgages, as it helps parties assess their potential risk and the security of their interests in the property.

While specific liens often take priority over general liens, and private loans could potentially affect lien priority based on their recording, these are not standalone governing principles like the general rule of recording priority. Therefore, the statement regarding the first to record having the first right succinctly captures the foundational order of operation in lien priority.