Selling your house can be a stressful and time-consuming process, especially when there are liens on the property. If you’re not familiar with liens, they are legal claims against a property that can be placed by creditors, the government, or even contractors who have gone unpaid for work they have done on the property. These claims can make selling your house more complicated than you might expect.
Selling a house can be a complicated process, especially if there are existing liens on the property. A lien is a legal claim or hold on a property, typically placed by a creditor to secure the payment of a debt. When selling a house in Buffalo, New York, dealing with liens properly is crucial to ensure a smooth transaction. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of handling property liens when selling your home.
If you’re looking to sell your house with property liens in Buffalo, it’s important to understand your options and the steps you can take to make the process as smooth as possible. In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about handling property liens when selling a house in Buffalo.
1. Determine the Type of Lien
The first step to handling a lien is to determine what type of lien you’re dealing with. There are several types of liens that can be placed on a property, including:
– Tax liens: These are liens placed by the government when a property owner fails to pay their property taxes.
– Contractor liens: These are liens placed by contractors who have done work on the property and have not been paid.
– Mortgage liens: These are liens placed by a mortgage lender when the homeowner defaults on their mortgage payments. This is often the case before foreclosure proceedings begin.
– Judgment liens: These are liens placed by a court when a homeowner loses a lawsuit and owes money to the plaintiff.
Identify the Liens on Your Property
Before listing your home for sale, it’s important to identify any existing liens. You can do this by:
- Checking Your Property’s Title: The best way to discover if there are any liens is by conducting a title search. A title company can help you obtain a title report, which will list any active liens or claims on the property.
- Reviewing Records: In Buffalo, New York, liens are recorded with the Erie County Clerk’s office. You can check the county’s public records or work with a real estate agent to verify if any liens are recorded against your property.
Each type of lien has its own set of rules and procedures that must be followed to resolve them, so it’s important to understand which type of lien you’re dealing with before moving forward. No matter which type of lien you are dealing with, you’ll want to resolve it before listing, or by utilizing the assistance of a professional property buyer such as Buffalo Brick & Mortar LLC.
2. Contact the Lien Holder
Once you’ve determined the type of lien you’re dealing with, you’ll need to contact the lien holder to find out how much you owe and what steps you can take to resolve the lien. Depending on the type of lien, you may be able to negotiate a payment plan or settle the debt for less than the full amount owed.
If you’re unable to negotiate a settlement, you may need to pay off the lien in full before you can sell your house. This can be a challenging situation, especially if you don’t have the funds available to pay off the lien. If can be frustrating for homeowners who need to sell a house right away, but are stuck because of the liens that have been put on their property.
3. Consider Selling to a Cash Home Buyer
If you’re unable to pay off the lien and don’t want to go through the hassle of negotiating a settlement, you may want to consider selling your house to a cash home buyer like Buffalo Brick & Mortar LLC. Cash home buyers specialize in purchasing houses quickly and can often provide a cash offer within 24 hours of seeing the property.
When you sell to a cash home buyer, you don’t have to worry about paying off any liens or making repairs to the property. The buyer will take care of everything for you, including debts, repairs, and even the clean up, allowing you to sell your house quickly and move on to your next adventure.
4. Work with a Real Estate Agent
If you’re not sure what to do when dealing with a lien, you may want to work with a real estate agent who has experience handling these types of situations. A real estate agent can help you navigate the process of selling your house with a lien and can provide guidance on negotiating a settlement or finding a cash home buyer.
When choosing a real estate agent, make sure to choose someone who has experience working with liens and who understands the local market in Buffalo. This will ensure that you get the best possible outcome when selling your house. Keep in mind, that working with an agent can take considerably longer, and may require a hefty amount of cash out of pocket.
Selling a house with a lien can be a challenging process, but it’s not impossible. By understanding the type of lien you’re dealing with, contacting the lien holder, considering selling to a cash home buyer, and working with a real estate agent, you can successfully sell your house and move on to your next adventure.
Dealing with property liens when selling a house in Buffalo, New York, requires careful attention and a proactive approach. By identifying and addressing liens early in the process, you can avoid delays or complications during the sale. Whether you’re paying off a mortgage, resolving unpaid taxes, or clearing a mechanic’s lien, working with professionals—such as a title company, real estate attorney, or accountant—can help ensure the transaction moves forward smoothly and efficiently.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by the process, don’t hesitate to seek expert advice to navigate the complexities of property liens and protect your interests when selling your Buffalo home.
If you’re looking to sell your house quickly in Buffalo, consider selling to Buffalo Brick & Mortar LLC. We buy houses directly and can help with any difficult property or situation. If you have a lien on your property and need to sell if fast, our team can help. Contact us today to get started! 716-403-2016