Land contracts, mortgages, deeds of trust, and other sources of payments are commonly referred to as "notes."

If you have sold property and taken back a mortgage or deed of trust and are now collecting payments from the buyer, you have a Mortgage Note.

If you have sold a business and opted to carry a note for the new owner, you have a Business Note.

 Many times a note holder’s circumstances may change, making the option of a large, lump-sum payment more appealing and useful than smaller monthly payments.