How To Sell a House With a Lien in Washington State

If you’re trying to sell a house in Washington and discover there’s a lien attached to your property, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed. Liens can complicate or even prevent a home sale—especially if you’re hoping for a fast, clean closing. Whether it’s a tax lien, mechanics lien, hospital lien, or judgment lien, many homeowners aren’t sure where to turn once they realize the title is clouded.

But here’s the good news: you can still sell a house with a lien, and depending on your situation, there are multiple ways to resolve it—some faster and easier than you may think.

At REI Branded Home Buyer, we’ve helped homeowners across Washington—including Spokane, Yakima, and the Tri-Cities—navigate lien issues and sell their homes quickly for cash. This guide will walk you through what property liens are, the common types in Washington, and your options to sell without stress.

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What Is a Lien on a Property?

A lien is a legal claim against your property by a creditor. It means someone is owed money and has the legal right to collect that debt from the proceeds of your home’s sale.

Liens are typically attached to your property title and must be cleared (or addressed) before a sale can legally close. That’s why they’re often uncovered during title searches, even if you weren’t fully aware the lien existed.

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Common Types of Liens in Washington State

Here are the most frequent types of liens that impact homeowners:

• Mortgage Lien: Your original home loan. This is cleared when the mortgage is paid off at sale.
• Tax Lien: Unpaid property taxes or income taxes can trigger a lien by the IRS or county assessor.
• Mechanic’s Lien: Contractors or subcontractors can place a lien if they weren’t paid for home improvement work.
• HOA Lien: If you’re behind on homeowners association dues, they can place a lien.
• Judgment Lien: A creditor can secure a court judgment and place a lien on your home to collect.
• Hospital or Medical Lien: In some cases, hospitals can attach a lien for unpaid medical bills, especially for emergency care.
• Child Support Lien: Unpaid child support obligations can result in a lien recorded against the property.

Each type has its own legal implications, but all must be resolved in some way before a clean transfer of title can occur.

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What Happens If You Try to Sell a House With a Lien?

If you’re in Washington and attempt to sell a house that has one or more liens, here’s what usually happens:

1. The title company discovers the lien during the title search.
2. The sale cannot proceed until the lien is resolved.
3. You are responsible for satisfying the lien before closing—or the buyer will walk away.
4. Delays, cancellations, or legal challenges can arise if the lien is large, contested, or unknown.

That said, you can sell a house with a lien—as long as you choose the right strategy for your situation.

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Your Options for Selling a House With a Lien in Washington

Option 1: Pay Off the Lien Before Closing

This is the most straightforward option if you have equity or cash reserves. You can use the proceeds from the home sale to pay off the lien at closing—which allows for a clean title transfer.

• Pros: Title is cleared and sale can proceed normally.
• Cons: Reduces your net proceeds, and some liens may cost more than expected with added fees, interest, or legal costs.

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Option 2: Negotiate a Settlement With the Creditor

If the lien amount is high and you can’t pay in full, it’s sometimes possible to negotiate a payoff amount with the lienholder.

• Pros: You may settle for less than the full debt.
• Cons: Negotiation takes time and may require legal help. It can delay closing if the creditor is unresponsive.

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Option 3: Sell to a Cash Buyer Who Can Handle the Lien

Cash home buyers like REI Branded Home Buyer regularly purchase homes with liens in place. In many cases, we work directly with the lienholder or title company to resolve the issue at closing—so you don’t have to handle it yourself.

• Pros:
  • No listing, repairs, or showings
  • Close quickly—even with liens
  • We pay all closing costs
  • Stress-free, hands-off process for the seller
• Cons: Sale price is often lower than full market value—but with no fees, agent commissions, or lien stress, many homeowners come out ahead.

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Option 4: Dispute or Challenge the Lien in Court

In cases where a lien was placed unfairly or incorrectly, you may be able to dispute it legally. This is common with disputed contractor work or mistaken hospital liens.

• Pros: Could eliminate the lien entirely.
• Cons: Legal battles are expensive, time-consuming, and uncertain. This is not a fast solution if you’re trying to sell now.

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Selling With a Lien: Washington State Considerations

If you’re selling a home with a lien in Washington, here’s what to expect:

• Lien laws vary by county. For example, Spokane County may handle mechanic’s liens differently than King County.
• Title companies won’t close until liens are cleared or addressed in the closing documents.
• Delaying the sale can lead to foreclosure or further legal action if the lienholder accelerates collection.
• Buyer financing may be denied for homes with liens, pushing you toward cash buyers or investors.

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How REI Branded Home Buyer Helps Washington Homeowners With Liens

We’ve helped homeowners across Spokane, Yakima, Richland, and Walla Walla sell properties with all kinds of liens. Whether you’re dealing with IRS debt, unpaid HOA dues, or a surprise contractor claim, we’re experienced in navigating these challenges and closing fast.

We don’t shy away from “problem properties.” In fact, we specialize in them.

Here’s how we make it easy:

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Our Simple Process:

Step 1: Contact Us

Call 509-769-3439 or visit reibrandedhomebuyer.com. Let us know about your home and any liens.

Step 2: Receive a No-Obligation Cash Offer

We’ll evaluate your situation, work with a title company to assess the lien, and give you a fair, fast cash offer.

Step 3: We Handle the Paperwork

We coordinate with the lienholder and title company to resolve the issue before or at closing. You don’t need to negotiate or make payments upfront.

Step 4: Close and Move Forward

We close on your timeline. You get paid in cash, and the lien is handled—all without out-of-pocket costs or agent fees.

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Areas We Serve in Washington

We work with homeowners throughout the state, including:

• Spokane
• Spokane Valley
• Yakima
• Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland
• Walla Walla and Moses Lake
• Pullman, Ellensburg, and nearby communities

Whether you’re in a city or rural area, REI Branded Home Buyer is here to help you sell—even with liens.

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Final Thoughts: A Lien Doesn’t Have to Stop You From Selling

Liens may seem like a major roadblock—but they don’t have to derail your home sale. With the right support and a knowledgeable cash home buyer, you can sell quickly, avoid further legal trouble, and move forward with peace of mind.

At REI Branded Home Buyer, we offer easy home buyer solutions designed for people just like you—Washington homeowners dealing with complex financial or legal challenges who need a fast, fair way to sell.

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Ready to Sell a House With a Lien? Let’s Talk.

We’re ready to help, no matter what type of lien you’re facing.

📞 509-769-3439
📧 info@reibrandedhomebuyer.com
🌐 reibrandedhomebuyer.com

Skip the stress. Sell your house—even with liens—on your terms.