Property liens are one of the most common conditions that can slow down a real estate transaction. So what exactly is a lien on a house? In general, it is a legal notice that’s put on file as the consequence of an unpaid debt. When creditors want you to know that you owe them, and they mean business, they may choose to take legal action by placing a lien on your biggest asset, your home.
A lien, or debt, can feel like a huge black spot on your record, but there’s no need to panic. In the real estate world, they’re much more common than most buyers and sellers realize. Read on for your must-know guide to resolving such claims and moving forward with the sale.
“A lien usually comes from either unpaid taxes, a judgment made in court, or from unpaid bills,” explains Jocelyn Nager, a lawyer who specializes in debt collection.
A claim filed against property could include missed mortgage payments or any payments owed to contractors for work done on the home. Payment to creditors for the lien will be required before a property can be purchased.
There are a number of liens that creditors may place on your home. These are the most common:
Once a property is put under contract for a mortgage, the title company will perform a search for any liens that have been filed against the property. Simply put, if one turns up, it puts the transaction temporarily on hold.
Mortgage companies will not agree to finance a property until the lien is satisfied, or paid off, which is the responsibility of the seller. In most cases, this will encourage the seller to take quick action toward resolving the debts. However, the seller might also refuse payment or contest the claim. If this happens, the sale must be put off until a definitive outcome can be reached.
If a seller refuses to pay, the buyer has two options. Since the refusal can be viewed as a breach of contract, the buyer then has the right to walk away from the sale without losing his or her earnest money deposit. Alternatively, the buyer can accept financial responsibility for any liens, in order to move the transaction along.
In a cash transaction, the buyer and the seller are free to come to a resolution on their own.
The first step is for the sellers to determine whether the property lien is genuinely their responsibility. Because these holds are searched for by name, sometimes multiple matches will pop up.
Family members who share similar names or those whose names are unusually common may find themselves being asked about liens they did not incur. In this case, it’s best to work with your real estate agent (here’s how to find a real estate agent in your area).and title company to determine what proof is needed to clear up the issue. Usually, all it takes is something as simple as the verification of your birthdate or home address.
If, however, you’re the seller and the property lien is on your house, it’s crucial to start resolving the issue as soon as possible. You’ll want to get in touch with the lien holder and arrange how to pay it off. Typically, the repayment will come out of the proceeds of the sale of the house, so you’ll want to take the title company’s advice on how best to handle the situation. In particularly complicated situations, like tax liens, you might also want to seek legal counsel.
If you’re the buyer purchasing a property in foreclosure or a sale at auction, it’s possible that you will have to pay off any lingering debts. That’s why it’s critical for buyers to be aware of what they’re getting into before bidding on one of these properties. While they might seem like a better deal upfront, they can end up costing much more than a traditional sale when all is said and done.
Angela Colley writes about real estate and all things renting and moving for Realtor.com. Her work has appeared in outlets including TheStreet, MSN, and Yahoo.
