How to Remove a Property Lien Before Selling a House in Texas
Selling a house in Texas with a lien on it can delay your sale or block it entirely. A lien doesn’t make a transaction impossible, but it can create title issues that scare off buyers and stop closings in their tracks. The good news? A lien can be removed—with the right steps. This guide explains how to remove a lien from your property before selling, so you can move forward with confidence and protect your timeline.
What Is a Property Lien and How Does It Affect Home Sales?
A property lien is a legal claim placed by a creditor to secure payment for a debt. It signals to title companies and buyers that ownership can’t legally transfer until the issue is resolved. In Texas, lien claims show up during the title search—meaning you’ll need to take action before closing.
There are multiple types of liens that can impact real estate sales. These include:
Tax liens for unpaid property or income taxes
HOA liens from missed association dues
Mechanic’s liens filed by contractors or tradespeople
Judgment liens following court-ordered debt
Child support and IRS liens
For a breakdown of each, see our guide to the types of property liens in Texas.
How to Remove a Property Lien in Texas: Step-by-Step
1. Identify the Type of Lien
Start by determining what kind of lien is recorded on your property. This can typically be done through:
A title search
Reviewing county clerk records
Contacting a real estate attorney in Texas
Tip: To search official filings, use the Tarrant County Clerk’s public records system or your local equivalent.
2. Contact the Lienholder
After identifying the lien, reach out to the organization that filed it. This might be:
The IRS (for federal tax liens)
A local tax assessor (for property taxes)
Your HOA
A contractor or attorney
A court or government agency
Request a payoff statement or settlement letter to confirm the amount required to remove the lien.
3. Negotiate, If Possible
Some creditors may accept a reduced payoff—especially for older or smaller debts. It's worth exploring options for lien resolution, particularly if you're preparing to sell your home.
When negotiating:
Explain that you plan to sell the property
Offer a lump sum if full payment isn’t possible
Ask for a formal release of lien upon payment
For more information, see IRS tax lien resolution strategies.
4. Pay Off the Lien
This is the most direct way to clear the title: pay the amount in full. Payment can be made:
Before listing the home (out of pocket)
At closing, using proceeds from the sale
Your title company will typically handle this during settlement to ensure all documents are recorded correctly.
5. Obtain a Written Release of Lien
After the lien has been paid or settled, you must get a Lien Release, sometimes called a Satisfaction of Judgment or Release of Claim. This document confirms the debt has been cleared.
Requirements:
Signed by the lienholder
Notarized
Delivered to you or your title agent
6. File the Release with the County Clerk
Once the lien release is in hand, it must be filed with the county to officially clear your property’s title. This final step is critical. Even if the lien has been paid, it will still appear in records until properly filed.
Each Texas county has its own process, but most allow filing:
In person
By mail
Online (where available)
What If You Can’t Afford to Pay the Lien?
A lien doesn’t always require cash upfront. Many sellers in Texas resolve liens using:
Proceeds from the home sale at closing
Short-term lien settlements negotiated in advance
Cash buyers who specialize in resolving lien-related sales
Working with a local buyer experienced in title complications may allow your sale to move forward—even when the lien can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
Homestead Protections and Property Liens in Texas
Texas law offers homestead protection, which may shield your primary residence from forced sales in certain lien situations. However, this does not remove the lien or stop it from appearing in title searches.
Homestead protections:
May limit collections
Do not make the lien disappear
Won’t allow a clean sale without proper documentation
For legal protection details, refer to Texas Property Code Section 41.
What Happens If You Ignore a Lien on Your Property?
Ignoring a lien won’t make it go away. If a lien is not addressed:
Buyers will back out due to title issues
Title companies won’t issue insurance
The closing won’t proceed
Only liens that are expired or invalid may be removed without payment—but this typically requires a court order or attorney intervention.
Sell a House with a Lien? We Can Help.
Dealing with lien issues is frustrating—but you don’t have to do it alone. TX Home Buying Pros buys houses with liens all over Texas. We work with lienholders and title companies to resolve issues so you can move on.
Final Thoughts: You Can Sell a House with a Lien in Texas
Removing a lien from your property is doable—but it takes planning. Whether the issue involves taxes, HOA fees, unpaid contractors, or court judgments, you’ll need to:
Identify the lien type
Communicate with the lienholder
Pay or settle the debt
Request and file a release of lien
If that sounds overwhelming, you have options. TX Home Buying Pros purchases properties with liens throughout Texas and can help you avoid the red tape and delays.
Related Resource:
Want to understand how liens impact the full sale process?
Read our complete guide to selling a house with a lien in Fort Worth.
Read our complete guide to selling a house with a lien in Farmers Branch
Need to Sell a House with a Mortgage Lien in Texas?
At TX Home Buying Pros, we purchase houses across Texas—even when there are mortgage liens, second mortgages, or foreclosure threats involved. We work directly with title companies and lenders to resolve lien issues fast.
📞 Call (214) 296-2343 or request your no-obligation cash offer. There’s no pressure—just a fast way to move forward.
Related Guide:
Want to learn more about selling a house with any type of lien?
Check out our full guide to selling a house with a lien in Fort Worth for a step-by-step overview. Or selling a house with a lien in Farmers Branch
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