House Has a Tax Lien?
We Settle It at Closing.

Back taxes or a lien hanging over the property? We buy as-is, pay the lien straight from the sale, and you walk away clean. No repairs, no agent fees, no money upfront.

Takes about 2 minutes. No phone number until the last step.

Selling a house that has a tax lien on it

Wyoming Registered LLC

TCPA Compliant

Full AI Disclosure

No Agent Commissions

How it works

Three steps. We handle the payoffs, you clear the debt.

Tell us what is owed

Property tax balance, a recorded lien, an IRS or state lien, back HOA? Rough numbers are fine. We pull public records to confirm what is attached to the property.

We build the payoff into the offer

You get a cash offer, and we map out which liens get cleared at closing and what is left for you. No guesswork, no surprises at the table.

We clear it at closing

The title company pays the liens straight from the proceeds. You sign, the liens come off the title, and you keep whatever remains.

Tell us about your situation

8 short questions. Everything stays confidential.

Ready to see an offer that clears the lien?

Built for selling a house with liens

What it actually takes to clear the debt and close.

We pay the lien, not you

No writing a check before closing. The title company settles property tax, recorded liens, and back HOA straight from the sale proceeds.

Even when liens stack up

Multiple liens, penalties, and interest piling on? We still make an offer and sort the payoffs in order of priority so the title comes clean.

Stops the penalty clock

Unpaid taxes grow with interest and penalties every month. Selling stops the bleeding and clears the debt in a single move.

As-is, any condition

Lien trouble usually comes with deferred repairs. That is fine. We buy the house exactly as it sits, nothing to fix or clean.

Types of liens and what each one means when you sell

A lien is a legal claim against your property for a debt. It does not stop you from selling, but it does have to be paid off or released before the buyer can get clear title. Here are the kinds we run into most, and how each is handled.

Property tax lien

When county property taxes go unpaid, the county places a lien and can eventually force a tax sale or auction. This lien usually has top priority, which means it gets paid first from the proceeds at closing. Selling before the auction stops the tax sale.

IRS or state tax lien

A federal or state tax debt attached to your property. It must be paid or released for clear title. In some cases the IRS will agree to subordinate or discharge the lien to let a sale go through, which we can help coordinate.

HOA lien

Unpaid homeowners association dues or special assessments. These are paid off from the proceeds at closing, the same as the others, so they come off the title when you sell.

Judgment or contractor lien

A lien from a lawsuit (a judgment) or from an unpaid contractor (a mechanic's lien). Both are identified in the title search and settled at closing.

How liens get cleared when you sell for cash

The title company runs a full title search, lists every recorded lien, and pays them off in order of priority directly from the sale proceeds at closing. You never write the checks, and we take the property with clear title. Whatever is left after all the payoffs is yours to keep.

What if the liens are bigger than the home is worth?

Then a normal sale may not cover everything. In some cases the lienholders will accept a reduced payoff so the sale can still close, similar to a short sale. We have experience coordinating these. If the numbers truly do not work, we will tell you honestly instead of wasting your time.

This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Lien rules vary by state and by lienholder, so please confirm the details that apply to you with a tax professional or attorney.

A quick, honest note

Sterling Home Offer is a direct cash home buyer, not a tax firm, law firm, or credit repair service. Selling is one way to resolve a lien. You may also have other options, such as a payment plan or settlement directly with the taxing authority, so please confirm your specific situation with a tax professional or attorney. Our offer is non-binding until you sign a written purchase agreement, you can walk away at any time, and we never charge you a fee.

Common questions about selling with a tax lien

Q1. Can I sell a house that has a tax lien on it?

Yes. A lien doesn’t stop a sale, it just has to be paid off or released at closing. The title company handles it from the sale proceeds, so the buyer gets clear title and you clear the debt in the same transaction.

Q2. What happens to the lien when I sell?

It gets paid off at closing from the sale proceeds before any money comes to you. Once it is paid, the lien is released and removed from the property’s title. Whatever is left after all payoffs is yours.

Q3. Can I still sell if I owe more in liens than the house is worth?

Sometimes. If the debts are larger than the value, we may be able to negotiate with the lienholders to accept less so the sale can close, similar to a short sale. It is not guaranteed, but we will tell you straight whether the numbers work.

Q4. Do I have to pay the back taxes before I sell?

No. You do not pay anything upfront. The taxes and liens come out of the proceeds at closing, not your pocket.

Q5. Will the county let me sell before the tax sale or auction?

Usually yes, if you act before the auction. Selling and paying off the taxes stops the tax sale. The closer the auction date, the tighter the timing, so reach out early.

Q6. What kinds of liens can you handle?

Property tax liens, IRS or state tax liens, HOA liens, and most judgment or contractor liens. The title company identifies everything recorded against the property and clears it at closing.