While mortgages might seem like nothing but paper, mortgages have made the 'American dream' possible for many people who otherwise could not own a home. Mortgages allow lenders to make loans secured by real estate, making the transactions profitable and less risky to banks and mortgage companies. These loans enable people to live in homes while making monthly payments in the hopes of one day owning them free and clear. The lenders make money from the interest payments on the loans. The mortgage is the foundation of an entire industry of lenders, realtors, appraisers, inspectors, and investors. There are many businesses that benefit from the mortgage industry and the ability of people to buy homes with a mortgage. These include movers, landscapers, interior decorators, home improvement contractors, builders, developers, and more.