Which type of lien typically has first priority over others?

The type of lien that typically has first priority over others is the ad valorem real estate tax lien. This precedence is grounded in the principle that government entities need to collect taxes to fund public services, and therefore, they are given priority to ensure that these critical revenues are secured.

When it comes to liens attached to a property, ad valorem real estate tax liens are placed first among them. This means that if a property owner defaults, any lender or other creditor subsequent to the tax lien will not be able to recover their funds until the tax obligation is satisfied. This priority is codified in law to ensure that municipal revenues are upheld, thus maximizing the government's ability to provide services funded by property taxes.

While mortgage liens, purchase money liens, and federal income tax liens exist, they do not take precedence over ad valorem tax liens when it comes to claims against the property. This priority structure is critical knowledge for anyone studying real estate as it affects the financing and purchasing decisions related to property ownership.