Sell A House With Back Taxes Or Liens In California

Want To Sell a House With Back Taxes Or Liens In California?

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Sell A House With Back Taxes Or Liens In California

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If you’re a homeowner in California dealing with back taxes or liens on your property, you might feel overwhelmed by the financial burden and legal complexities involved. Selling a house with unpaid property taxes or liens can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about selling a home with back taxes or liens in California. We’ll also introduce Property Home Buyers as a stress-free option for selling your property quickly for cash, even if you have unpaid debts or liens attached to the home.

What Are Back Taxes and Liens?

Selling A House With Back Taxes Or Liens In CA

Back Taxes Explained

Back taxes refer to unpaid property taxes that have accrued over time. In California, homeowners are required to pay property taxes annually. Failing to do so leads to back taxes, which incur penalties and interest the longer they go unpaid. Eventually, the local tax authority can place a lien on your property for the unpaid taxes, complicating your ability to sell or refinance the home.

What Is a Lien?

A lien is a legal claim against your property, usually placed by creditors to recover unpaid debts. Besides tax liens, you could face other types of liens, such as:

  • Mortgage liens: If you fall behind on your mortgage payments, the lender may place a lien on your property.
  • Judgment liens: These liens arise from lawsuits where a court has awarded money to a plaintiff and attached the debt to your property.
  • Mechanics’ liens: Contractors or service providers may place liens on your home for unpaid work or services.

Both back taxes and liens create legal and financial obstacles when selling a house, but they don’t make it impossible. Let’s explore how to navigate these challenges.


Selling your California house for cash is easy with Property Homebuyers CA because we eliminate the middle man (agents or banks). We do not depend on approvals or inspections from third parties in order to buy your house! Fair cash offers, NEVER low-ball offers.

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Contact Us

We will review the details of your home and schedule a time to meet with you.

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Get Your Offer

Once we view the property and estimate repairs, we present you with a fair, all cash offer.

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Get Paid

Close on your schedule. Sell your house on your terms and get the cash you need.

Can You Sell a House With Back Taxes or Liens in California?

Yes, you can sell a house with back taxes or liens in California. However, there are specific steps you’ll need to take to ensure a successful sale. When selling, the liens or unpaid taxes must either be resolved before closing or deducted from the sale proceeds. In most cases, the sale of the property provides enough funds to pay off the liens and taxes. However, the process can be tricky, and understanding the following steps will help make it smoother.

Steps to Sell a House with Back Taxes or Liens in California

Step 1: Understand Your Debts

The first step in selling a house with back taxes or liens is to fully understand the extent of your debt. This means gathering all relevant information about the liens and unpaid taxes on your property. Contact your local tax authority to find out exactly how much is owed in back taxes. If there are other liens on the property, such as from creditors or contractors, ensure you know the total amount you owe.

Pro Tip: Request a title report to identify all liens and judgments on your property. This report will show you everything attached to the title, ensuring there are no surprises during the sale process.


Step 2: Contact Your Creditors

Once you have a clear picture of your debts, it’s essential to contact the creditors involved, including tax authorities, mortgage lenders, or contractors. You may be able to negotiate with them, especially if you’re facing financial hardship. For example, some creditors may accept a reduced payment to clear the lien, particularly if it speeds up the sale of the house.

Pro Tip: When negotiating, be transparent about your intention to sell the house and use the proceeds to pay off the debts. Creditors may be more cooperative if they know you plan to resolve the situation through a sale.


Step 3: Set a Realistic Price for Your Home

If you’re selling a house with back taxes or liens, it’s important to set a realistic listing price that reflects the current market conditions. Keep in mind that you’ll need enough proceeds from the sale to cover the outstanding debts. Overpricing the home can delay the sale and increase the risk of foreclosure or further penalties from unpaid taxes.

  • Research Comparable Sales: Look at recently sold homes in your neighborhood to get an accurate idea of your home’s value.
  • Get a Professional Appraisal: Consider hiring an appraiser to assess your property’s market value.

Pro Tip: Work with a real estate professional experienced in selling homes with liens, or contact Property Home Buyers for a quick, fair cash offer that takes the lien situation into account.

Step 4: Choose the Right Selling Strategy

There are several ways to sell a house with back taxes or liens in California. Your choice depends on how quickly you need to sell and how much effort you’re willing to put into the process.

1. Traditional Sale with a Realtor

One option is listing your home with a real estate agent. While this method can help you reach a broader audience of buyers, it may take longer, and you’ll have to pay a commission to the agent. Additionally, some buyers may be wary of purchasing a property with liens, as they complicate the title transfer process.

2. Sell Directly to a Real Estate Investor

Selling to a real estate investor, such as Property Home Buyers, can be a much faster and simpler process. Real estate investors are experienced in dealing with properties that have financial or legal issues, including back taxes and liens. They typically buy houses “as-is,” meaning you don’t need to worry about repairs, showings, or negotiations. In many cases, investors pay cash and can close in as little as 7 days.

Pro Tip: If you’re facing foreclosure due to unpaid taxes or liens, selling to an investor can help you avoid further penalties and protect your credit score.


Step 5: Close the Sale

Once you’ve found a buyer, the next step is closing the sale. In California, all debts tied to the property, including back taxes and liens, must be settled before or during the closing process. The proceeds from the sale will go toward paying off the outstanding debts.

  • Title Transfer: The title company will ensure that all liens are resolved, and a clean title is transferred to the buyer.
  • Escrow Process: During escrow, the buyer’s funds will be used to pay off your creditors, and any remaining amount will go to you.

Pro Tip: Work closely with your escrow company or real estate attorney to ensure all liens are paid off correctly and promptly. This will prevent any delays in closing.

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Google 5 star reviews - Property Homebuyers CA

“Justin was super professional and understanding of our situation and answered all of our questions we had about the whole thing… he really just have me the feeling that I was dealing with a friend rather than doing business with a random person, which I really appreciated.

-Sean Alicante google-5-star-review

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See What Other Sellers Have Said About Working With Us

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Communication is key and Justin nailed it with everything from an email, to a text message, to an actual phone call. He walked me through every step of the way and explained everything to the T. I couldn’t recommend anyone better in the business than him.

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Challenges of Selling a House with Back Taxes or Liens

Selling a house with back taxes or liens can be more complicated than a traditional sale. Here are some common challenges to be aware of:

A. Reduced Buyer Pool

Some buyers may shy away from purchasing a property with liens or unpaid taxes, as it adds complexity to the transaction. This could limit the pool of potential buyers.

B. Delays in Closing

If the liens are not resolved in a timely manner, the closing process can be delayed. It’s essential to work with experienced professionals to ensure the liens are cleared before the title is transferred.

C. Risk of Foreclosure

If you have significant unpaid taxes, the tax authority may initiate foreclosure proceedings. This adds pressure to sell the house quickly to avoid losing the property.

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Before committing to a 6-month listing agreement with a realtor, why not get a cash offer first? It’s completely free, with no obligation to accept. There’s absolutely no risk!

Why Selling to Property Home Buyers Is a Smart Choice

If you’re struggling with back taxes or liens on your California property, Property Home Buyers offers a fast and easy solution. Here’s why selling directly to us is a great option:

We Buy Houses As-Is

We buy houses in any condition, including properties with back taxes or liens. You don’t need to worry about making repairs or dealing with complex negotiations.

No Commissions or Fees

When you sell to Property Home Buyers, there are no real estate agent commissions or hidden fees. The offer we make is the amount you’ll receive, minus any liens or taxes that need to be paid.

Fast Cash Offer

We provide a cash offer within 24-48 hours of evaluating your property. If you accept, we can close in as little as 7 days, helping you avoid further financial strain.

Avoid Foreclosure

If you’re at risk of foreclosure due to unpaid taxes or liens, selling to Property Home Buyers can help you avoid losing your home and damaging your credit score.

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How the Process Works with Property Home Buyers

Contact Us: Reach out to us through our website or call us to provide information about your property. We’ll schedule a time to evaluate your home.

Receive a Cash Offer: Within 24-48 hours, we’ll present you with a fair, no-obligation cash offer based on your property’s condition and current market value.

Close on Your Timeline: If you accept our offer, we’ll handle all the paperwork and pay off any back taxes or liens at closing. You choose the closing date, and we take care of the rest.

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Ready to Sell Your House with Back Taxes or Liens? Contact Property Home Buyers Today!

If you’re facing back taxes, liens, or other financial challenges, don’t let it stop you from selling your home. Property Home Buyers offers a hassle-free, cash-sale option that allows you to move forward without the stress of unpaid debts. Contact us today to get started with a no-obligation cash offer and take the first step toward a fresh start.

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When selling your home, you get to choose what company you want to work with in CA. At At Property Homebuyers CA, our priority is to offer a positive solution while making the process quick, easy, and fair for you.

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