Selling a House With Liens in Texas

A title company can identify recorded liens, ownership issues, and the documents it needs to insure a transfer. Ask for current payoff figures from each creditor or taxing authority; balances and release requirements can change.

Do not assume a lien is valid, invalid, paid, or automatically removable. A title company can explain closing requirements, while a qualified Texas attorney can advise on legal rights, priority, disputes, and release options.

Some obligations can be paid from sale proceeds at closing if there is enough money and the title company can obtain required releases. Other issues—such as disputed ownership, an estate, an unreleased mortgage, or a defective deed—may require additional work before closing.

Ask for the estimated net proceeds only after the purchase price, mortgage payoff, lien payoffs, taxes, title charges, and any repair or other credits are listed. A “cash offer” is not the same as cash in hand.

If you receive an offer, ask for its purchase price, earnest money, inspection or cancellation terms, intended close date, and who will handle title. Review it with the professionals appropriate to your situation before signing.

For DFW homes, we can evaluate an as-is purchase and work with the title company on normal closing steps. We cannot promise to resolve every lien or title issue, and we encourage sellers to obtain legal advice when a dispute or estate issue exists.