Which of the following actions is an acceptable form of ownership transfer?

Purchasing a property "subject to" the mortgage is an acceptable form of ownership transfer. This involves taking possession of a property while leaving the existing mortgage in place. The buyer essentially takes over the payments on the mortgage without formally assuming it. This means the seller remains responsible for the original loan, but the buyer gains the benefits of ownership, allowing for a transfer of ownership without the necessity of paying off the existing mortgage at the time of purchase.

This method is typically used in situations where buyers may not qualify for a new mortgage or are looking to invest in real estate without a significant initial outlay. It can benefit the seller by allowing them to sell the property without the burden of paying off the mortgage immediately, and it can also aid the buyer by facilitating a less conventional acquisition of property.

The other options are not mechanisms for ownership transfer. Increasing the purchase price after the agreement changes the terms of the sale but doesn’t constitute a transfer of ownership by itself. Taking out a second mortgage is a financing action relating to an existing property but does not involve transferring ownership. Refinancing to lower interest rates involves adjusting the terms of an existing mortgage, again, without transferring ownership.