To "get a mortgage" means to take out a loan in order to purchase property, with that property acting as collateral for the loan. In other words, it is a way to finance the purchase of a home or real estate by borrowing money from a bank or another financial institution. The lender will give you a loan based on the value of the property and your ability to repay the loan. You will then make regular payments over time until the loan is fully paid off, at which point the title for the property will be transferred to you.