A Lien on the Property Doesn't Mean You Can't Sell
Discovering a lien on your home — whether it's for unpaid property taxes, an IRS debt, an unpaid contractor, or a court judgment — can feel like it closes off your options. It doesn't. Liens are routinely paid off from sale proceeds at closing, the same way a mortgage is. You don't need to resolve the lien yourself before you can sell.
We're Evan and Alex — local, licensed buyers based in Sonoma County. We've worked with homeowners facing all kinds of liens and can walk you through exactly how the payoff process works for your specific situation.
Property Tax Liens in California
When property taxes go unpaid, the county places a lien on the property for the amount owed, plus penalties and interest. In California, a property generally becomes "tax-defaulted" after taxes go unpaid, and the county tax collector can begin the process to sell it at public auction after five years of default for most residential property (the timeline can be shorter for certain nonresidential commercial properties). Until that point is reached, you retain ownership and full control — including the ability to sell.
The key takeaway: the longer taxes go unpaid, the more penalties and interest accumulate, eating into your equity. Selling sooner rather than later protects more of what you've built.
IRS and Federal Tax Liens
An IRS federal tax lien attaches to your property when back taxes are owed to the federal government. It doesn't prevent a sale, but it does need to be addressed — typically, the title company pays off the lien from your sale proceeds at closing to deliver clear title to the buyer.
Mechanic's Liens and Judgment Liens
If a contractor wasn't fully paid for work on the property, they may have filed a mechanic's lien. Similarly, an unpaid creditor who won a lawsuit against you may have recorded a judgment lien against your real estate. Both work the same way as tax liens for sale purposes: they're paid off from the proceeds at closing.
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Lien payoff amounts and priority can be complex, especially with multiple liens. Your county tax collector, the IRS, or a real estate attorney can confirm the specifics of your situation — and we're glad to point you toward local resources.
How We Help
- A fair cash offer within 24 hours — no obligation.
- We coordinate lien payoffs — working with the title company to confirm and clear amounts owed.
- No repairs needed — sell exactly as-is.
- No fees or commissions — and we cover normal closing costs beyond the lien payoffs.
- Fast close — as little as 7 days once payoff amounts are confirmed.
How the Process Works
Step 1 — Tell us about the property and the lien. Fill out the form on this page or call (707) 390-0399. Let us know what type of lien is involved — it helps us prepare. About 5 minutes.
Step 2 — We'll review and make an offer. Within 24 hours we'll present a written, no-obligation cash offer that accounts for the lien.
Step 3 — Close, with liens resolved. If you accept, the title company confirms exact payoff amounts and settles the lien from the proceeds at closing. You keep what's left.