In a foreclosure auction, which statement is true regarding the second mortgagee's rights?

In the context of foreclosure auctions, the rights of a second mortgagee are primarily dependent on the priority of mortgages. When a property is foreclosed, the first mortgagee typically has priority over the proceeds from the sale. This means that the first mortgage is paid off first from the sale of the property. The second mortgagee's rights come into play only after the first mortgage has been satisfied.

In scenarios where the foreclosure results in insufficient funds from the sale to cover the first mortgage, the second mortgagee often ends up receiving nothing. Their rights are subservient to the first mortgage, making their recovery contingent upon the financial outcome of the foreclosure auction. If the first mortgage is not fully satisfied, the second mortgagee may not receive any payment unless they initiated or forced the foreclosure process, which is why they may be left without compensation.

This aligns with the correct interpretation that the second mortgagee receives nothing unless they forced the foreclosure, highlighting the intrinsic risks and subordinate status of subordinate mortgages in foreclosure situations.