How to Sell a House with a Tax Lien in Buffalo

A tax lien is a legal claim filed by a government entity (such as the City of Buffalo or Erie County) against your property when you fail to pay property taxes or municipal bills. Having a tax lien on your home makes selling it traditionally difficult because the title is "clouded." However, you can sell a property with active liens.

Resolving Liens at Closing

To transfer ownership of a property, the title must be clear. This means all active liens, judgments, and outstanding taxes must be paid off. Fortunately, you do not need to pay these out of pocket before you sell. Instead, the closing attorney will use the sale proceeds to satisfy the liens at closing, and you walk away with the remaining balance.

What if the Liens Exceed the Home's Value?

If the outstanding liens, mortgages, and taxes are greater than the market value of the home, the sale is considered a "short sale," which requires negotiating with the lienholders to accept a lower payoff. If the liens are less than the home's value, we can proceed with a standard sale.

Get a Cash Offer from Peak Cash Buyers

We work with homeowners facing tax liens, municipal water debts, and judgments in Buffalo. We perform a title search to identify the exact debt and structure a cash sale to pay off the liens at closing. See how to sell your house fast in Buffalo.