Lien - monetary encumberance

Restriction - affects use of property in some way, i.e. through private deed restrictions or government zoning

Easement - grants right of ingress, egress and regress to a property

Welllll . . . A better question would be how are they similar? Because each affects how freely the property can be used. Each, in some way, encumbers the land. The lien encumbers it monetarily, restrictions limit certain behaviors on a property that you own, the easement controls access. They're different because of the ways they limit your rights on your property.

This may be another of those questions that I am required to send people to an attny or google for.

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES gave you a great description of each.

To that, I would add that you should have your clients seek the advice of an attorney for a more detailed explanation if you have a particular issue that ever arises in your practice.

I suggest you look in your text book or google the terms and write a post about it... you'll learn so much more that way.

BTW, a lien has little to do with restriction and easements. Restrictions have little to do with liens and easements, and so on and so on. When I see questions like this it makes me wonder if you know what you are asking and why, except to fulfill some class requirement to ask.

Real Estate Encumbrances: Deed Restrictions, Liens, Easements, and Encroachments

The differences are substantial and technical. As they apply to our business and to property ownership, an escrow or title officer would be a good person to explain the differences.

(1) Lien- Someone is claiming owner of property owes a debt to lien holder.

(2) Restriction - can be anything from HOA, Covenants, zoning, boundary line setbacks, etx that restrict what property can be used for.

(3) Easement - many types from access to neighboring properties, utility, etc. Power companies require an easement to run their poles and wires across your property for example. You are granting someone legal right to cross your property, but you still own the property.

Aren't you wondering what you are paying for Andrew Cooper ?

I’m surprised that your instructor would suggest that you rely on answers obtained in a random Q and A forum. 

Andrew,

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES gave you a perfect overview of the three.  However, John Juarez also pointed out that these issues should be reviewed with title and or a real estate attorney.  A

I wish you all the best with your real estate studies. 

Another good question for an attorney.

Ask your Pre License Instructor

You have many good answers here to satisfy your homework, but I give Candice A. Donofrio the Gold Star for her answer.

Google

AN easement is not financial, it is something that passes through your land, such as a utility or drive way. A lien means you owed xxx amount of money and can not sell the home until it is paid. As far as a restriction, most often as in a condo when you are restricted from parking a camper in your front yard. 

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES has you covered. Does your instructor know?

A lien is a debt attached to the property and must be paid when the property sells.  A restriction is typically something that a community keeps a property owner from doing such as cars must be parked in the garage or no RV parking on the street.  An easement runs with the land and grants restricted use of part of the property to another party. Utility easements are very common, but in our market, we often have road easements as well.

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES gave a good answer as did others. You can also check with an attorney if these come up to understand the implications which could be significant.

Good Luck with your studies.  hope these answers help, otherwise google is a good starting point. 

Good luck with your studies. 

Candice A. Donofrio has your answer.

In twenty words or less?

overwhelmed with these questions, needing to consult with a RE attorney in your area. May be location dependend also.

Silvia gave you a great answer.

We see the garden variety old undischarged tax lien needing a release for the clear to close. The protective or restrictive covenants not so much. But easements, encroachments  are a big part of access, enjoyment for the property owner and for others with rights that affect the land use and title.

Debe has given a good answer

Sylvia has a great answer for you.

They are not even close to the same, but the answers are there

Good luck with your study:)

I think a formal, textbook definition would serve you better. You could ask the experienced agents what issues they might have had with those areas of real estate, but straightforward definitions should be researched eslewhere, don't you agree?