A tax lien — whether from the county for unpaid property taxes, the state, or the IRS — attaches to your property and has to be dealt with before the title can transfer cleanly. It feels like it traps you, but it doesn't: homes with liens are sold every day, and the lien is typically resolved as part of the closing.
We buy Evansville houses that carry tax liens across Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Posey counties. The title company sorts out valid liens from the sale proceeds, so you can finally move on.
How it works
- Tell us about the house — address and condition. Two minutes.
- Get a fair cash offer — based on real Evansville-area values. No obligation.
- You choose closing — 7 days or on your schedule. We pay all closing costs.
What a tax lien actually does
A lien is a legal claim against the property for a debt. It doesn't take your ownership away, but it does "cloud" the title — meaning a normal buyer's lender usually won't fund until it's cleared. That's why a tax lien can make a traditional sale stall. A cash purchase sidesteps the lender problem entirely.
How the lien gets cleared at closing
When we buy the house, the title company runs a title search, identifies the liens, and pays the valid ones directly out of the sale proceeds. The liens are released, clean title transfers to us, and you receive whatever is left. You don't have to pay the lien off first or negotiate it yourself.
Tax lien vs. back taxes — what's the difference?
They're related. Back taxes are the unpaid balance; a tax lien is the formal legal claim that secures that balance against your property. Either way, the fix at sale is the same: the debt is paid from the proceeds and the claim is released so title can transfer.
We buy as-is, liens and all
You don't need to resolve anything before calling us, and you don't need to repair or clean the house. We buy in any condition across Evansville and the Tri-State, work with a local title company on the lien payoffs, and close on a timeline that works for you.
When there are multiple claims
Sometimes a property has more than one lien — taxes plus a mortgage, or a contractor's claim. The title company orders and resolves them at closing in the proper priority. We're used to deals with several claims on title and can still get them to the finish line.
How much does a lien add to closing time?
Usually not much. Once the title company identifies the liens, it requests current payoff figures from each creditor and schedules them to be paid from the proceeds at closing. Government liens and routine tax liens are typically straightforward. The main thing that can add a little time is waiting on a payoff letter from an agency, which we plan for up front so it doesn't surprise anyone. In most cases a house with a tax lien still closes on a normal cash timeline — often within a couple of weeks — and you walk away with the lien resolved and clean title transferred.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell a house that has a tax lien on it?
Yes. Valid liens are paid from the sale proceeds at closing through the title company, and then released so clean title can transfer to us.
Do I have to pay the lien before selling?
No. That's handled at closing out of the proceeds — you don't need to come up with the money up front.
What if the lien is larger than my equity?
We'll be honest about the numbers. In some cases liens can be negotiated; we'll look at the situation with you before you commit to anything.
Is an IRS or state lien different from a county tax lien?
The source differs, but the closing process is similar — the title company addresses valid liens from the proceeds. We'll coordinate it as part of the sale.
Where do you buy?
Evansville and the Tri-State — Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Posey counties, plus Newburgh, Chandler, Boonville, and Henderson, KY.