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August 27, 2025

Selling a Home with Back Taxes or a Lien: What You Need to Know

Selling a home with back taxes or a lien can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategy, you can still move forward and close the deal.

Selling a home can be stressful as it is. Still, when coupled with back taxes millions of Americans face daily, the entire situation can easily make you feel helpless. However, while having a lien on your property might make it seem like your property is unsellable, nothing’s impossible if you have the right strategy behind you.

Understanding Back Taxes and Lien

Back taxes and liens are words often thrown around in the real estate industry. However, what do these words mean? Back taxes are taxes a homeowner owes to the government that they didn't pay in the prior year. Until they are paid, back taxes result in interest, penalties, and legal repercussions.

On the other hand, a property lien is a legal claim over an asset that allows the government or the holder of the lien (creditor) to access the property if debts are not paid. However, before a lien is attached to a property, it must first be filed and approved by the county records office or state agency.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Selling a Home with Back Taxes or a Lien

Whether you want to sell your home because of relocation or for quick cash, selling a property with a lien due to unpaid debt or taxes can be burdensome. A property lien should be addressed before you sell your home to Florida homebuyers, as selling a property with a lien can be difficult, but not impossible.  

Here's a quick step-by-step guide on how you can sell your home in Florida with back taxes or a lien.

1. Identify the exact amount owed

The first thing you should know if you want to sell your home as-is with back taxes or a lien is to find the amount that you owe. This way, you can easily figure out if you need to negotiate with your lien holder or if the profit from the sale is enough to cover the amount of the lien.

2. Request a payoff statement

After knowing the exact amount of the lien, the next step is to request a payoff statement. In real estate, a payoff statement is the formal document from a lender or creditor that provides the exact amount you need to settle if you want to clear the title. This includes the principal balance and the interest, fees, penalties, and "Good-through date" that shows the date the payoff amount is valid.  

3. Determine if the debt can be cleared from the sale proceeds

After securing the payoff statement, it’s time to review all the documents and details revolving around the lien and your house’s market value by comparing the amount in the payoff statement and the house's sale price. If the house's sale price exceeds the payoff statement, it will be enough to cover the lien.

4. Contact cash buyers willing to handle lien payoffs

Unfortunately, not all properties are enough to cover a lien attached to them. Luckily, you can also sell your home for quick cash to cash buyers willing to handle the lien payoffs.

You’d be surprised at the number of seasoned cash buyers who are experienced with resolving liens during a sale and will even be the ones to negotiate with your lien holder and handle all the paperwork.

5. Close without lengthy delays

If you did everything right, the last step is closing the deal. The expedited process is one advantage of selling your home as-is to cash buyers. Since you don't have to deal with buyers who rely on mortgages, you don't have to wait months to close a deal. Instead, it'll only take you a few days.


Why Traditional Real Estate Sales Often Fall Through

According to the real estate firm and brokerage Redfin, the country had a 15% increase in real estate sales in June 2025. While various factors can affect sales falling through, it's essential to understand the reasons behind these deals and be prepared to address them when you sell your home in Florida.

1. Financing Problems

One of the most common reasons why deals fall through is because of financing problems that Florida homebuyers. Even with a pre-approval letter, buyers have a hard time getting a final approval letter because of any details or developments during the deal.

2. Home Inspection

Before a deal is closed, home inspections are essential for the buyer so that they know for themselves whether your home is the right house they're looking for. So, if the buyer finds a few problems to the point that the buyer is no longer comfortable closing the deal, then the deal is at risk of falling through.

3. Cold Feet

Buyers are people, too, who have cold feet even during the last stages of the deal if they feel like they're not getting a fair deal, whether it's the price of the home or the repairs that the house needs.

Tips on How to Avoid Delays

It takes more than a month for a deal to close. However, not everyone has that kind of time. As such, it's essential to avoid as much delay as possible. Here are some tips that you can use if you want to sell your home fast.

1. Consider a cash buyer

Choosing a cash buyer over a traditional buyer is a sure way to avoid delays since you don't have to worry about delays in financing, house renovations, and costs. Companies like Camarotti Homes are direct property buyers that do not follow traditional real estate buying procedures. We can quickly inspect your property, extend an offer, and

2. Prepare the paperwork early on

One of the reasons why sellers experience delays is that they don't have the necessary paperwork ready and will need more time looking for it. Each state requires specific documents, so if you want to avoid delays, you must provide any paperwork you might need early on.

3. Get multiple quotes

Before choosing the first cash buyer you come across, it's important to compare all the quotes and timelines each cash buyer offers and see which timeline fits yours. The goal is to find a cash buyer who offers a quick solution and is reputable, fair, and transparent.


Sell Your Property with Back Taxes or Liens to Camarotti Homes Today

Do you have a property with back taxes or liens? Are you having difficulty selling your home because of them? Well, lucky you because Camarotti Homes is at your service. With our fast, efficient, and hassle-free transactions, you don't have to worry about any liens attached to your property.

At Camarotti Homes, we are ready to buy properties under any condition. We buy ugly houses, we buy damaged properties, we buy inherited houses, and finally, we buy houses for cash! So, whether you’re behind on property taxes, facing foreclosure, or dealing with legal judgments, Camarotti Homes can offer you a fast, fair, all-cash deal. Contact us and sell your home fast to Camarotti Homes. Let us help improve your financial situation one transaction at a time.

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