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August 13, 2025

How to Sell a House with a Lien in Florida: A Step-by-Step Guide

Yes, you can sell a home with a lien. Learn how to handle liens, avoid delays, and why selling as-is for cash may be the easiest option.

If you want to sell your home in Florida but a lien is holding you back, don’t worry. It’s possible to sell your home with a lien, but you need to know how to handle it correctly.

What Is a Property Lien and Why Does It Happen?

A property lien is a legal claim on your house because of unpaid debts. Think of it like a hold someone places on your property until you pay what you owe. This lien can come from many places:

  • Unpaid mortgage or reverse mortgage payments
  • Property taxes you didn’t pay
  • Bills for work done on your home, like from a contractor (called a mechanic’s lien)
  • Court judgments if someone sues you and wins money

When a lien is placed on your home, it means the lienholder has the right to get paid from the proceeds when your house sells. The lien protects the creditor, so they can collect what you owe. This is why liens must be handled before or during the sale of your home in Florida.

Can You Sell a House with a Lien in Florida?

Yes, you can sell a house with a lien in Florida. But there’s a catch: the lien usually has to be paid off before the sale can finish. The title company or lawyer handling the sale will check for liens. If they find one, they won’t give the buyer a clear title until the lien is cleared.

This means you have two main options:

  1. Pay off the lien before or at closing so the buyer gets a clear title.
  2. Find a buyer willing to buy the house with the lien and work out how the lien will be paid.

Selling a home with a lien can be more complicated than a normal sale, but it’s still possible. Some buyers, especially cash buyers, may agree to buy your home as-is, lien included, and help you handle the payoff.

Step-by-Step Guide to Selling a Home with a Lien

Here’s a simple plan to help you sell your home with a lien in Florida:

1. Find out if your home has a lien

Before you put your home on the market, it’s important to check if there are any liens on your property. You can do this by:

  • Visiting your county clerk’s office and searching public records.
  • Asking a title company to perform a title search for you.
  • Checking with the Florida Department of State or your local tax office.

Knowing exactly what liens exist and how much you owe is the first step to selling your home with a lien. This will help you avoid surprises later and plan how to clear the lien.

2. Understand the type and amount of the lien

Not all liens are the same, and each type may require a different approach. Common liens include unpaid property taxes, contractor liens, or even reverse mortgage liens. It’s important to know what kind of lien is on your house and the total amount owed, including any fees or interest that may have built up. This information will help you decide the best way to handle the lien during your sale.

3. Talk to the lienholder

Once you know who holds the lien, reach out to them. Ask if you can pay off the lien in full or if they offer payment plans or settlements. Sometimes, lienholders are willing to accept less than the full amount if you negotiate. Getting clear information and possibly a payment plan can make selling your home easier.

4. Get a lien release document

After you pay off the lien, make sure to get a lien release document from the lienholder. This paper proves that the lien is cleared. You’ll need to file this document with your county clerk’s office to show that your home’s title is clean. Without this, the sale can’t close because the buyer won’t get clear ownership.

5. Decide how you want to sell

You have options when selling a home with a lien. You can sell the traditional way with a real estate agent, but liens can slow down the process. Another option is to sell your home as-is to a cash buyer. Cash buyers often buy homes with liens and can help handle the payoff. This can be faster and less stressful, especially if you want to sell your home fast.

6. Close the sale

At closing, the lien will be paid off from the money you get from selling your home. After the lien and any other costs are paid, you receive the remaining funds. This final step clears the way for the buyer to get a clear title and take ownership of the property.

Why Traditional Sales Can Be Challenging with Liens

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When you list your house on the market, buyers and banks want a clear title. That means no liens.

If you’re selling a home with a lien, it can scare away buyers. They may think it's too risky. You’ll also need to fix up the house to make it look nice for showings. That costs money and time.

Real estate agents might not want to list the house if they know it has legal problems. Even if they do, it can take months—or longer—to find a buyer willing to wait while you sort it all out. And if your house has both a property lien and a reverse mortgage, it gets even more complicated. That’s why many homeowners skip the traditional route. It’s just too slow and stressful.

Benefits of Selling As-Is to a Cash Buyer

If you want to sell your home as-is, you might wonder about the benefits of choosing a cash buyer. Selling as-is means you offer your property in its current condition, without making any repairs or renovations. This can be a huge relief if you don't have the time, money, or desire to fix up your house.

Cash buyers often buy homes in any condition. They can close quickly because they don’t need bank approval. Selling a home with a property lien or a reverse mortgage is easier this way. You skip repairs, inspections, and long waits. If you want to sell your home in Florida without hassle, selling as-is to a cash buyer is a smart choice.

How Camarotti Homes Helps Sellers with Liens

At Camarotti Homes, we’ve helped many people in tough spots. We understand that life happens. Bills pile up. Homes get run down. Debt shows up. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck.

If you’re selling a home with a lien, we know what to do. Here’s how we help:

  • We buy your home as-is. No need to fix or clean anything.
  • We can close in as little as 7 days, so you can sell your home fast.
  • We handle all the paperwork and details for you.
  • You don’t pay agent fees or hidden costs.

If you want to sell your home in Florida with a lien without stress, we’re here to help.

Sell Your House with a Lien to Camarotti Homes Today!

A person handing over a houseAI-generated content may be incorrect.

Selling a home with a property lien in Florida is possible, but it needs care. You can sell your home fast by understanding the lien, talking to lienholders, and choosing the right selling method. 

At Camarotti Homes, selling your home as-is can save you time and energy. We buy houses for cash. In fact, we buy ugly houses, distressed homes, and all other types and conditions of properties—so you can sell your home in Florida quickly and without any stress. Contact us today to sell your home fast to Camarotti Homes!

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