If a deed indicates there is only one homeowner, it means it is owned by one person (not let's say joint tenants like a husband and wife).  The mortgagor is the homeowner; the mortgagee is entity from whom you obtain the loan. So a listing as sole owner doesn't necessarily mean the home is paid off. You need to find out through the registry of deeds whether there was a discharge of mortgage and whether there are any subsequent or existing liens on the home (1st mortgage, second mortgage, HELOC, liens). Then you can determine if the house has been fully paid off.