Back taxes or liens
Unpaid taxes do not go away, and the amount owed tends to grow with penalties and interest. It can feel safer not to open the envelope. A sale is one way to stop the clock, because what is owed can be paid from the sale price.
- Takes about 2 minutes
- No obligation to sell
What this situation usually means
A property tax debt or lien attaches to the house, not just to you, so it has to be dealt with before the title can pass cleanly. That is why many retail buyers walk away.
When a house is sold, the title company finds what is owed, pays recorded balances from the proceeds, and sends what is left to you. How long you have, and what a payment plan might do, depends on your state and the taxing authority.
A tax professional or attorney can help you read the notices.
How Covent helps
We buy with taxes or liens still open, and the title company pays recorded balances from the sale price.
We buy as-is, so the house does not have to be fixed up to cover what you owe.
We can close on a date that stays ahead of your deadline, within 14 to 60 days of signing.
You see the numbers on a settlement statement before anything is final.
What we need to look at
- The address, and a copy of any tax notices or lien letters.
- About how much is owed and to whom, if you know.
- Whether there is a mortgage and what the condition is.
Selling to Covent is simple
Enter your address and a few details, and we email you your estimated offer.
Common questions
Yes, in most cases. Taxes owed are paid from the sale price at closing, as long as the sale price covers them along with any loan.
A title search shows what is recorded against the house. If what is owed is more than the sale price, tell us early, and an attorney can explain your choices.
That can happen in some places after enough time, and the schedule varies by county. Ask the taxing authority or an attorney for your dates, then tell us so we can work around them.
Talk to a specialist
Email Sam, Covent's AI assistant. Sam answers right away and can loop in a specialist from our team.
sam@coventhomes.com
Related situations
Where we buy
We buy houses in Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, and North Carolina.
Find out what we'd pay for your house
Enter your address to start. It takes about 2 minutes.
- No obligation to sell
- Close in 14 to 60 days