Liens and Property Sales: We Handle the Complicated Stuff
“I inherited a property from my grandmother, but it came with a surprise, a mechanic’s lien from a contractor who had done work years ago. I was overwhelmed by the thought of dealing with it alone. Thankfully, I found a trusted partner who helped me navigate the process, resolve the lien, and sell the property quickly and efficiently. It was a huge relief to have someone handle the complicated stuff.”
— Jessica, Oregon
Selling land or a home is rarely as simple as placing a “For Sale” sign in the yard and waiting for offers. Things can get complicated fast, especially when you discover there’s a legal claim against the property. If you've ever been blindsided by a lien when trying to sell, you already know the stress, delays, and confusion it can bring.
Many landowners find themselves in this situation through no fault of their own. Maybe you inherited land from a family member and didn't realize there were unpaid taxes. Or perhaps a previous owner failed to pay a contractor, and now the lien has carried over to you. These issues often come to light during a title search, catching sellers off guard and halting what was supposed to be a smooth transaction.
In this post, we’ll break down what liens are, how they affect your ability to sell, and most importantly, how they can be resolved. We'll also share a real-world example and explain how having experienced help can turn an overwhelming situation into a manageable one.
Understanding What a Lien Is
A lien is a legal right or interest that a creditor has in another person's property. It’s essentially a public claim that says, “This property owner owes someone money.” Until that debt is addressed, the property can’t be sold with a clean title. Even if you find a buyer, the sale typically won’t go through until the lien is paid or otherwise resolved.
Most liens are recorded in the public record at the county level. This means even if you didn’t know the lien existed, it will show up when a title company performs a search during the sale process. Many people don’t find out about liens until they’re already under contract with a buyer, and by then, the pressure to fix things is intense.
Where Do These Liens Come From?
Liens can be placed by a variety of parties. Sometimes, they’re the result of something simple like unpaid property taxes. Other times, they stem from legal judgments, forgotten debts, or unresolved disputes. Here are a few of the most common types of liens:
Mortgage Liens arise when you take out a loan to buy a home or property. The lender retains a lien until the mortgage is fully paid.
Mechanic’s Liens happen when contractors or suppliers aren't paid for work they did on the property—even if the work was completed years ago by someone else.
Tax Liens are filed by local or federal government agencies when property taxes or income taxes go unpaid.
Judgment Liens result from court cases. If someone sues you and wins, the court may allow them to place a lien on your property until the debt is satisfied.
Each of these liens can present a unique set of challenges during a sale. Unfortunately, even old liens, ones you may not have known about, can block your ability to sell or transfer ownership.
Why Liens Make Selling So Difficult
When there’s an active lien on a property, the title is no longer “clear.” That’s a big problem for buyers. Most buyers (and their lenders) want the peace of mind that comes from owning a property without any legal baggage attached. Liens muddy the waters, making it difficult or impossible for the buyer to get title insurance or financing.
Even cash buyers may hesitate once they learn there’s a lien. After all, they don’t want to take on someone else’s debt or get entangled in a legal mess. That means your chances of closing a deal are slim, unless you can remove or resolve the lien.
For those trying to sell inherited property, out-of-state land, or a lot that’s been sitting idle for years, this news can feel like a gut punch. You were hoping to get cash and move on with your life. Instead, you’re stuck figuring out what to do about a legal issue you didn’t create.
How Liens Get Resolved
The good news? Liens can be resolved, and often more easily than people expect.
It usually starts with a title search, which identifies all known liens and claims. Once those are on the table, there are a few ways forward. Some liens can be paid in full using proceeds from the property sale. Others may be reduced through negotiation, especially if the lienholder would rather settle than risk not getting paid at all.
In more complicated situations, especially those involving legal disputes, you might need the help of a real estate attorney or a professional land buyer who knows how to navigate the system. There are also times when liens are placed in error or have already been satisfied but were never officially released, those require paperwork corrections that experienced professionals can help push through.
Every situation is different. But with the right team guiding you, even the most intimidating lien problems can usually be resolved with minimal stress.
A Real Example: Dealing with a Tax Lien
Take the story of David, who inherited a parcel of rural land in Texas from his father. David hadn’t set foot on the property in years and assumed it was just sitting there, untouched. When he decided to sell it to free up some cash, the title search revealed a tax lien for several years’ worth of unpaid property taxes.
David had no idea the taxes hadn’t been paid. He was worried he’d have to shell out thousands of dollars or worse, lose the land completely.
Fortunately, he contacted a professional land buyer who had experience dealing with these kinds of issues. The buyer coordinated with the local county office, calculated the exact amount owed, and arranged to have the taxes paid at closing. David didn’t have to come up with any money out-of-pocket, and he walked away from the sale with cash in hand.
That kind of outcome is possible when you work with people who know how to solve the problems liens create.
Why It’s Worth Having the Right Help
Trying to fix lien issues on your own can be frustrating, especially if you’re unfamiliar with legal or real estate processes. It’s easy to get stuck in a loop of paperwork, phone calls, and unanswered questions.
A qualified land buyer or real estate expert can take that burden off your shoulders. They’ll review your property’s situation, explain your options in clear language, and work behind the scenes to coordinate with title companies, lienholders, attorneys, and government offices. This kind of support can turn a stalled sale into a fast, smooth transaction.
At Friendly Land Buyers, we’ve helped landowners across Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Florida resolve liens, clear back taxes, and walk away from stressful situations with money in their pocket. Whether you want to sell land in Texas, need help selling inherited land in Oklahoma, or just want to understand your options for selling land with back taxes or property liens, we’re here to help1.
If you're dealing with a complex inheritance, land in another state, or just want someone to take care of everything for you, you're not alone. There’s help available, and it starts with a simple conversation.
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Disclaimer: This guide provides general information and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Please consult with a qualified attorney and/or financial advisor for specific guidance on your situation.
