Can You Sell a House With a Lien in Washington?Here’s What You Need to Know

Can You Sell a House With a Lien in Washington

“Why Choose REI Branded Home Buyer”

So, you found out there’s a lien on your house.

Maybe it’s from unpaid property taxes.
Maybe a contractor slapped on a mechanics lien.
Maybe it’s from an old judgment, a medical bill, or HOA fees.

Now you’re asking:
Can I still sell my house in Washington with a lien on it?

The short answer is yes — but there’s a right way (and a very wrong way) to do it. Let’s walk you through everything you need to know — and how REI Branded Home Buyer can help you sell fast, even with liens involved.


🔍 What Is a Lien, Exactly?

A lien is a legal claim against your property from someone you owe money to. It attaches to your title, which means it must be dealt with before you can transfer ownership.

Some common types of liens in Washington include:

Lien TypeWho Places ItWhy It Happens
Tax LienIRS or WA Dept. of RevenueUnpaid federal, state, or property taxes
Mechanics LienContractor or subcontractorWork completed but not paid for
Judgment LienCourt or creditorResult of a lawsuit or unpaid debt
HOA LienHomeowners AssociationUnpaid dues or fines
Medical or Hospital LienHealthcare providersOutstanding medical bills
Child Support LienWashington DOLMissed support payments
Municipal LienLocal government or cityCode violations, utility bills, or fines

You can learn more about these lien types at the Washington Legislature site.


🚫 Why Liens Complicate Traditional Home Sales

Trying to list a home with a lien through a real estate agent can cause some serious roadblocks:

❌ Title Won’t Clear

Title companies will discover any liens during their search. If they find one, it has to be paid off before closing.

❌ Buyers Might Walk

Most buyers using loans won’t touch a property with unresolved liens.

❌ Time Delays

Negotiating or disputing liens can take weeks — or months.

❌ You Could Net Nothing

Sometimes the lien amount is so high, the seller walks away with nothing after paying it off.


✅ Yes, You Can Sell a House With a Lien in Washington — Here’s How

There are three main ways to sell a house with a lien:

1. Pay It Off Before Closing

This is the most common route. You (or the buyer) pays off the lien as part of the sale, and the title is cleared.

2. Negotiate a Settlement

Sometimes lienholders will agree to take less than the full amount — especially in hardship situations.

3. Sell to a Cash Buyer Like REI Branded Home Buyer

This is the fastest and least stressful option — we’ll buy the home as-is, deal with the lien during closing, and take care of all the paperwork.


👷‍♂️ Real Example From Spokane

A seller in Spokane reached out to us about a home she inherited — but it came with a $28,000 medical lien from her father’s hospital stay. The house had sat vacant for a year, and she didn’t know what to do.

We:

  • Pulled a title report
  • Talked with the lienholder
  • Offered a fair cash price after accounting for the lien
  • Closed in 14 days

She walked away with money in hand — and zero out-of-pocket costs.


Why Sellers Choose REI Branded Home Buyer

Here’s why people across Washington trust us to help with lien-heavy homes:

What You GetREI Branded Home Buyer
No repairs or cleaning needed✅ Yes
We handle title searches and liens✅ Yes
Local Washington-based company✅ Yes
Fast cash offers, fair and transparent✅ Yes
No commissions, no fees✅ Yes
Choose your closing date✅ Yes

We don’t just say we help with liens — we do the heavy lifting and walk you through it step by step.


📍 Where We Buy Homes With Liens in Washington

No matter where your house is — we can help you sell, fast.
We serve all across the state, including:


How the Process Works

  1. Contact us — we’ll pull a title report at no cost to you
  2. We make you a cash offer — we account for the lien(s)
  3. You pick the closing date — and we handle the rest
  4. You walk away stress-free — with cash in hand

💬 Ready to Talk About Your Lien Situation?

Whether you’re behind on taxes, stuck with a judgment, or unsure how to move forward — we’ll give you honest answers and a clear path.

📞 Call 509-769-3439
📧 Email us at info@reibrandedhomebuyer.com
💬 Or just contact us here


⚖️ Legal Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult an attorney or financial advisor before making real estate decisions.

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About REI Branded Home Buyer

Real People. Real Stories. Real Solutions. We’re George and TJ — two regular guys who teamed up to create REI Branded Home Buyer, a local company with one simple mission: to help people sell their homes without stress, games, or pressure. We actually met at a local real estate meetup. A mutual friend randomly shouted, “Hey George, do you want to be this guy’s mentor?” George laughed and said, “Just give him my cell!” A coffee meeting later, and the rest is history. We've been working together ever since. Our passion for helping homeowners comes from personal experience. George was once homeless, so he deeply understands what it’s like to face housing uncertainty. TJ’s family went through a crisis and had to sell their home fast — with the help of a cash homebuyer. Those experiences shaped who we are and inspired us to create a company that treats people the way we wish we’d been treated. Let’s be real: the real estate world is full of shady companies, pushy salespeople, and sleazy homebuyers who care more about profit than people. We started REI Branded Home Buyer because we believe it should be the other way around — people first, profit second. We’re proud to call Spokane home. Our wives, Jenny and Michelle, love the slower pace of life here and all the outdoor beauty Washington has to offer. George and Jenny have two amazing daughters and two dogs — they love to travel and recently visited Japan to see their daughter abroad. TJ and Michelle are outdoor lovers through and through — backpacking, hiking, hunting, fishing, even rock climbing. Michelle’s become quite the mountaineer! If you’re thinking about selling a house — no matter the reason — we’d love to hear your story and see how we can help.

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