<human>:  What's the difference between a mortgage and a loan?
<bot>: The main difference between a mortgage and a loan is that a mortgage is a type of loan specifically secured by a piece of real estate, such as a house, whereas a loan can refer to any type of loan that is not secured by a piece of real estate. A mortgage typically has a longer term and a lower interest rate, while a loan may have a shorter term and a higher interest rate.