“What Happens If You Owe Back Taxes on Land in Washington?”
Unpaid property taxes or legal liens can turn land ownership into a major financial headache. Whether you inherited the land, bought it years ago, or no longer plan to use it, falling behind on taxes can quickly snowball—leading to penalties, foreclosure, or loss of the property altogether.
At REI Branded Home Buyer, we help landowners across Washington State turn troubled properties into cash—fast. We specialize in buying land in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Olympia, Vancouver, and rural areas, regardless of back taxes, liens, or title issues.
We offer easy home buyer solutions that allow you to sell quickly and avoid the stress of legal action, mounting fees, or further debt.
What Happens If You Owe Back Taxes on Land in Washington?
If you fail to pay your annual property taxes in Washington State, the county eventually initiates a tax foreclosure process. Here’s a general timeline of what that looks like:
- Year 1: Taxes become delinquent; interest and penalties begin to accrue.
- Year 2: Additional penalties apply; the county may send notice of impending foreclosure.
- Year 3+: The land is eligible for auction and can be sold at a tax foreclosure sale.
Many counties—including King, Pierce, Spokane, and Thurston—will seize and auction land with unpaid taxes, even if it’s just raw land. Once it’s sold at auction, you lose all rights to it.
Selling your land before it reaches this point is critical.
What Are Liens, and Can I Still Sell My Land?
A lien is a legal claim placed on your property due to unpaid debt, such as:
- Property tax liens
- IRS or state tax liens
- Judgment liens from court cases
- HOA liens
- Mechanics’ liens (for unpaid contractor work)
In most cases, yes—you can still sell your land. A cash land buyer like REI Branded Home Buyer can often pay off the lien at closing and handle all the paperwork so you don’t have to.
Common Situations We Help With
We’ve worked with landowners in all types of financial distress, including:
- Owners who forgot about a remote parcel and missed tax payments
- Families who inherited land and discovered unpaid bills
- Investors who bought land years ago but never developed it
- Landowners facing court judgments or code enforcement liens
- People ready to downsize or relocate but stuck with legal debt on the land
No matter the situation, we’re here to help with a fair, fast solution.
Why Sell Your Land with Back Taxes or Liens?
🧾 Avoid Foreclosure
Save your credit and avoid losing the property at a county auction.
💸 Get Cash in Hand Fast
We can close in as little as 10–14 days—even sooner if needed.
🧘 Stop the Bleeding
No more stress about mounting penalties or threatening letters.
🔑 We Pay Liens at Closing
You don’t need to pay off debts before selling—we’ll handle it as part of the deal.
📄 Skip Complicated Legal Work
No need for a lawyer or lengthy probate—you get a simple, clear process.
We Buy Land in Any Condition—Even With Problems
At REI Branded Home Buyer, we make offers on all types of land throughout Washington, no matter the circumstances:
- Land with overdue property taxes
- Parcels with clouded or unclear title
- Vacant lots with HOA or municipal liens
- Landlocked or unbuildable land
- Lots with code violations or environmental issues
- Inherited land with unpaid estate taxes
If you’re thinking, “Can I really sell my land with back taxes?” the answer is yes—you can, and we’re ready to help.
Where We Buy Land in Washington State
We serve all major cities and counties, including:
- Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Everett, Kent
- Spokane, Vancouver, Yakima, Bellingham
- Olympia, Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Richland, Pasco)
- Pierce, King, Thurston, Snohomish, Spokane, and Kitsap Counties
- Rural and agricultural parcels across Eastern and Western Washington
Whether your land is in a remote wooded area or an infill lot in the city, we’ll evaluate it and give you a cash offer—no matter the condition or debt attached.
Our Simple 5-Step Process
Here’s how to sell your land with back taxes or liens—fast and stress-free:
Step 1: Reach Out
Fill out a short form or call us with your parcel number or property info.
Step 2: Quick Review
We research the property, review tax history, and assess any lien records.
Step 3: Cash Offer
You get a fair, no-pressure cash offer within 24–48 hours.
Step 4: Clear the Liens
We pay off taxes or liens at closing—nothing comes out of your pocket.
Step 5: Close & Get Paid
Close on your schedule. We handle the paperwork. You walk away with cash.
Success Story: How We Helped a Seller in Tacoma
A retired man inherited two lots in Tacoma, both of which had $5,000+ in unpaid property taxes. He didn’t have the funds to clear the debt and was facing foreclosure. We stepped in, made a cash offer, and paid off the taxes at closing. He received $14,000 net to him and avoided losing the property at auction.
Why Choose REI Branded Home Buyer?
We specialize in distressed land purchases across Washington State. You’ll work directly with our local team, not a national wholesaler or out-of-state investor.
Here’s why sellers trust us:
- ✅ We Buy As-Is, No Repairs Needed
- ✅ Fast Offers & Flexible Closings
- ✅ We Cover All Closing Costs
- ✅ Licensed & Experienced in Washington State Real Estate
- ✅ Compassionate, Local, No-Pressure Approach
Ready to Sell Your Land and Be Done With Back Taxes?
You don’t have to keep worrying about liens or losing your land. If you’ve been searching for a way to sell your land fast, even with debt, REI Branded Home Buyer is here to help.
We buy land for development, recreation, or long-term investment—so we’ll give you a fair offer and close when it works for you.
📞 Contact us today for a no-obligation cash offer on your land in Washington State. Whether you’re in Seattle, Spokane, Olympia, or a rural area—if you’re behind on taxes or dealing with liens, we’ll help you get out from under it—fast.
Sell Your Washington House Fast Today
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.