Seller Guide

Selling a House With Back Taxes or Liens in Texas

If you are behind on property taxes, or there is a lien on your house, you might think you are stuck. A lot of homeowners feel that way. The good news is that this situation is common, and it is usually solvable. In most cases, you can still sell. This guide walks through how it generally works in Texas, including here in Corpus Christi and the rest of Nueces County, so you know what your options look like.

A quick note: This article is general information — not tax, financial, or professional advice. Every situation is different, so please talk with a qualified attorney or tax professional about your specific circumstances.

Can you sell a house that has back taxes or a lien?

In most cases, yes. A lien or unpaid property taxes do not freeze your house in place. They are amounts that need to be settled, and the sale itself is often what settles them. Many homeowners are surprised to learn this. They expect to need a big check up front, when in reality the money usually comes out of the sale.

A lien is basically a claim against the property. It can come from unpaid property taxes, an unpaid debt, a court judgment, or other sources. It stays attached to the house until it is paid or released. That is why it has to be handled before the property changes hands with a clear title.

How it usually works in Texas

In Texas, this generally works like this. When a house sells, a title company runs a title search. That search finds any liens or back taxes tied to the property. Those amounts are then paid out of the sale proceeds at closing, before any remaining money goes to the homeowner. So the homeowner often does not pay out of pocket up front. The payoff comes from the sale price.

Here is how the process typically goes. The title company gathers payoff amounts from the county tax office and any other lien holders. At closing, those amounts are paid first. Whatever is left over after the payoffs and closing costs goes to you. If your home has enough value to cover what is owed, this can be a clean way to wipe the slate.

The options homeowners usually weigh

Selling is one path, not the only one. Many homeowners in this situation consider a few different routes before deciding. It helps to look at all of them.

  • A payment arrangement with the county. The Nueces County tax office may offer a payment plan or arrangement for past-due property taxes. Terms and who qualifies can vary, so it is best to contact the tax office directly to ask about your account.
  • Paying it off. If you have the funds, you can pay the back taxes or the lien and have it released. After that, the property is clear and you can sell normally or simply keep it.
  • Selling the property. If keeping up is hard or you just want to move on, selling lets the back taxes and most liens get paid from the proceeds at closing. The title company handles the payoffs as part of the sale.

Because tax-office rules, amounts, and timelines can change and depend on your exact situation, the county tax office and a qualified attorney or tax professional are the right people to confirm the details for you. Real problems, real solutions usually start with getting clear, accurate information for your case.

Where REvestors fits in

REvestors is a direct home buyer here in Corpus Christi. If selling feels like the right move for you, we are one option to consider. We buy houses as-is for cash, so you do not need to fix anything or clean anything up first. We can work with title companies that are experienced with back taxes and liens, since these situations come up often.

With our Simple-Sale System, the back taxes and most liens are paid from the sale proceeds at closing. That means no money out of pocket before closing in most cases. We make a fair offer based on the property's condition and comparable sales, and you pick the closing date. For many homeowners, it can move quickly, in as few as 7 days. And there is no judgment here. People fall behind for all kinds of reasons, and our job is to give you a simple, clear way out if that is what you want.

Common questions

Usually not up front. In Texas, back taxes are typically paid out of the sale proceeds at closing through the title company, so the homeowner often does not write a check beforehand. Your exact numbers depend on your situation, so a title company or a qualified professional can confirm the details for you.
Many common liens, such as property tax liens and certain other claims, are paid from the sale proceeds at closing once the title company confirms the payoff amounts. Some situations are more complex than others, so it is wise to ask a qualified attorney about anything unusual on your title.
In most cases, no. With our Simple-Sale System, the back taxes and most liens are paid from the sale proceeds at closing, so there is typically no money needed out of pocket before closing. We buy as-is for cash and can work with title companies experienced in these situations.
It can move quickly, in as few as 7 days, once the title company has the payoff amounts and the paperwork is ready. Timing can vary depending on the county tax office and the details on your title, so the exact pace is confirmed during the process.

See what a simple exit could look like

Behind on taxes or dealing with a lien? Tell us about your house and get a fair, no-pressure cash offer. We will walk you through how the back taxes and liens would be handled at closing.

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