A Deed of Trust is a legal document used in real estate transactions that involves three parties: the borrower, the lender, and a neutral third party known as the trustee. This document secures a loan by transferring the title of the property to the trustee until the borrower repays the loan in full. If the borrower defaults, the trustee has the authority to sell the property to recover the lender's investment. In many states, a Deed of Trust serves as an alternative to a traditional mortgage. It simplifies the foreclosure process, allowing the lender to bypass court proceedings. This makes it a popular choice for securing loans in real estate transactions.