A person's father took out a mortgage in 1984, but couldn't pay it off. The bank lost the property deed when a settlement offer in 2004 wasn't paid. Now, with the father deceased, the heir wants to sell the house but needs the deed. Experts clarify that the lost deed doesn't extinguish the loan; the debt must be settled first. The property is still mortgaged, and all legal heirs are liable. Once the loan is settled, the bank is obligated to return the original deed or a duplicate. The heir can potentially sell the property by arranging for a new buyer, using the advance to clear the debt, and obtaining a certified copy of the deed from the bank.