(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) "Escrow costs" means money to pay property taxes, hazard insurance, mortgage insurance, and similar costs associated with real property secured by a refinance mortgage that a lender requires to be collected at closing and held in escrow. (3) (i) "Junior lien" means a mortgage, deed of trust, or other security instrument that is subordinate in priority to a first mortgage or deed of trust under § 3-203 of this article. (ii) "Junior lien" does not include: 1. A judgment lien; or 2. A lien filed under the Maryland Contract Lien Act. (4) "Refinance mortgage" means a mortgage, deed of trust, or other security instrument given to secure the refinancing of indebtedness secured by a first mortgage or deed of trust. (5) "Residential property" means real property improved by four or fewer single family dwelling units that are designed principally and are intended for human habitation. (b) This section does not apply to a junior lien securing a loan made by a state or local government agency with a 0% interest rate. (c) A mortgagor or grantor who refinances in full the unpaid indebtedness secured by a first mortgage or deed of trust encumbering or conveying an interest in residential property at an interest rate lower than provided for in the evidence of indebtedness secured by the first mortgage or deed of trust is not required to obtain permission from the holder of a junior lien if: (1) The principal amount secured by the junior lien does not exceed $150,000; and (2) The principal amount secured by the refinance mortgage does not exceed the unpaid outstanding principal balance secured by the first mortgage or deed of trust plus an amount not exceeding $5,000 to pay closing costs and escrow costs. (d) A refinance mortgage that meets the requirements of subsection (c) of this section shall have, on recordation, the same lien priority as the first mortgage or deed of trust that the refinance mortgage replaces. (e) A refinance mortgage that meets the requirements of subsection (c) of this section shall include the following statement in bold or capitalized letters: "This is a refinance of a deed of trust/mortgage/other security instrument recorded among the land records of ............... county/city, Maryland in liber no. ....... folio ......., in the original principal amount of ............., and with the unpaid outstanding principal balance of .............. The interest rate provided for in the evidence of indebtedness secured by this refinance mortgage is lower than the applicable interest rate provided for in the evidence of indebtedness secured by the deed of trust/mortgage/other security instrument being refinanced." (f) The priorities among two or more junior liens shall be governed by § 3- 203 of this article. (g) This section may not be construed to preempt or abrogate the operation or effect of, or ability of a court to apply the principles of, equitable subrogation or equitable subordination.
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