“How REI Branded Home Buyer Can Help”
What Is a Tax Lien in Washington?
A tax lien is a legal claim filed by the government when you owe property taxes or income taxes. In Washington, this lien is attached to your real property, which can block you from refinancing or selling the home until the debt is cleared.
This can happen through:
- Delinquent county property taxes
- Unpaid IRS federal taxes
- Estate taxes or back taxes on inherited homes
How Do Tax Liens Work in Washington State?
Each county in Washington — such as King County, Spokane County, or Yakima County — can auction properties for unpaid taxes. When a lien is filed, it becomes public record, alerting buyers and lenders to a financial issue.
🛑 Before selling a home with a lien, you’ll need to:
- Pay off or release the lien
- Provide proof to the title company
- Possibly go through probate or quitclaim deed filing if the lien is on inherited property
Types of Tax Liens in Washington
Washington homeowners may encounter:
- Federal Tax Liens (IRS)
- State or County Tax Liens
- Judgment Liens
- HOA Liens
- Municipal Liens
- Hospital or Medical Liens
📌 For real estate transactions, title companies will always do a title search to uncover these issues.
How a Tax Lien Affects Selling Your Home
Trying to sell your home with a tax lien?
- Buyers may walk away
- Your closing could fall through
- Clear title won’t be issued until the lien is paid
This especially impacts those facing:
How to Remove a Tax Lien
Here’s how Washington homeowners can resolve a tax lien:
- Pay the debt in full or negotiate a payoff
- Get a Certificate of Release
- File that with the appropriate county office
- Confirm with your title company the lien has cleared
Need assistance? Visit the Washington Department of Revenue or IRS lien portal for details.
Can I Sell a House in Washington With a Tax Lien?
Yes — but only under the right circumstances. That’s where we come in.
At REI Branded Home Buyer, we help homeowners sell fast even with liens, code violations, and title issues. Whether you’re in Everett, Spokane, Kennewick, or Walla Walla, we buy houses as-is.
📬 Contact us or email info@reibrandedhomebuyer.com
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always consult a real estate attorney or tax professional when dealing with liens in Washington.
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.