Finding out there’s a lien on your property can feel stressful — especially when you’re trying to sell your house. Many homeowners in Columbus discover liens only after they’ve decided to move, and suddenly, the process feels more complicated than expected.
The truth is, liens are more common than you think, and they don’t have to stop you from selling your home. In this guide, we’ll explain what property liens are, how much it costs to remove them, and how working with Sell My House Columbus Ohio can help you sell your home quickly — even if there’s a lien attached.
A lien is a legal claim against your property, usually placed by a person, company, or government agency you owe money to. It acts as a safeguard for creditors, giving them the right to collect from the proceeds if your home is sold.
In simple terms, if you owe someone money — and they’ve legally recorded that debt with the county — that lien must be cleared before you can transfer ownership.
Not all liens are the same. Some are easy to resolve, while others can take more time and negotiation. Here are the most common types homeowners in Columbus encounter:
Every home with a mortgage has a lien — your lender holds the right to the property until you pay off the loan. Once your mortgage is paid, the lien is automatically released.
If you fall behind on local or county property taxes, the government can place a lien on your home. Tax liens take priority over most others, meaning they must be paid before any other debts during a sale.
If a contractor, plumber, or roofer completes work on your home and isn’t paid in full, they can file a mechanics lien to recover what they’re owed.
Judgment liens come from court rulings. If a creditor sues you and wins, they can attach that debt to your property until payment is made.
Homeowners Associations and utility companies can place liens for unpaid dues, water bills, or maintenance fees.
If you owe back income taxes, the IRS or state tax authority can place a lien against your property. These are often more serious and require direct negotiation to resolve.
The cost to remove a lien depends on the type of lien, the amount owed, and whether there are additional fees or legal steps involved. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
Average homeowners spend between $500 and $10,000 clearing liens, depending on severity. However, if your lien is tied to unpaid taxes or legal judgments, it could be higher.
In most cases, the homeowner must resolve the lien before the title can transfer. During a traditional sale, this happens at closing — the debt is paid out of the proceeds before you receive your net amount.
If you’re selling to a cash buyer like Sell House Columbus Ohio, we can often handle the process for you. Our team reviews your title report, identifies liens, and either:
That means you can still sell your home and walk away with cash — even if you can’t afford to pay the lien upfront.
Many homeowners aren’t aware of a lien until they try to sell. If you’re not sure, you can find out quickly by:
If you’re preparing to sell, Sell House Columbus Ohio can help you verify this for free as part of our offer process.
Removing a lien depends on your situation and the type of debt. Here are the most common ways to resolve it:
This is the simplest option. Once paid, the creditor files a Release of Lien, officially removing the claim from your property record.
Some creditors will accept a partial payment in exchange for releasing the lien, especially if they believe collecting the full amount may take too long.
If you believe the lien was filed incorrectly or fraudulently, you can challenge it in court. You’ll need proof — such as canceled checks or completed contracts — to show the debt isn’t valid.
Certain liens have expiration periods. For example, a mechanics lien may expire if not enforced within a specific time frame. Always confirm with an attorney before assuming this applies to your case.
When time or money is tight, selling to a cash buyer can help resolve the lien quickly. At Sell House Columbus Ohio, we pay off liens during closing — you don’t have to come up with the money upfront or delay your sale.
Yes, you can sell your house even if there’s a lien — you just can’t transfer ownership until it’s resolved.
Here’s how it typically works:
When selling through a traditional real estate agent, this can be a drawn-out process involving multiple parties and potential delays.
But with Sell House Columbus Ohio, we streamline everything. We handle title issues, negotiate with lienholders, and ensure your sale closes on your timeline — not the bank’s.
Homeowners often choose to sell to a cash buyer when they’re dealing with financial or legal roadblocks. Here’s why this approach works so well:
Cash buyers can close in as little as 7–21 days, even with title complications. There’s no waiting for loan approvals or lengthy escrow periods.
You don’t pay for repairs, agent commissions, or closing costs. We cover those so you can focus on moving forward.
Our team works with title companies and creditors to clear liens during closing. You don’t need to make payments ahead of time.
Whether you need to sell immediately or need time to relocate, we’ll work around your schedule.
We understand that liens can happen for many reasons — job loss, unexpected expenses, or miscommunication. Our goal is to help, not to pressure.
A lien doesn’t have to hold you back from selling your home. With the right team, you can close quickly, resolve your debts, and move on with peace of mind.
At Sell House Columbus Ohio, we specialize in helping homeowners sell fast — even if their property has liens, back taxes, or legal issues. We’ll make you a fair cash offer, handle the paperwork, and pay off liens directly at closing so you can start fresh.
