Short Answer
Selling a home with title issues requires resolving the title defect before closing. Common title issues include unpaid taxes, liens, judgments, easements, and errors in public records. You can resolve them by paying off debts, filing court actions to quiet title, or negotiating with lien holders. Your agent and a real estate attorney can help identify the issue and determine the best path to clear title so the sale can proceed.
Title issues are any claims or defects that affect the legal ownership of a property. Common title problems include unpaid property taxes, mortgage liens, judgment liens from lawsuits, mechanic's liens from contractors who were not paid, and HOA liens for unpaid dues. Title issues can also include boundary disputes, missing heirs who have a claim to the property, forgery in the chain of title, or errors in public records. When you sell your home, the title company will perform a title search and identify any issues that need to be resolved before the buyer can receive clear title. Some issues can be resolved quickly by paying off a debt or recording a release. Others may require a quiet title action, which is a court proceeding to establish clear ownership. The cost and time required depend on the complexity of the issue. Your real estate attorney will guide you through the process of clearing title so the sale can close.
Bob's Advice
Redfin Senior Agent · AI Certified Agent
Title issues sound scary, but most of them are solvable. I have helped sellers resolve everything from unpaid tax liens to missing heir situations. The key is identifying the issue early in the process and working with a good real estate attorney. I have a network of attorneys who specialize in title resolution and can help you navigate whatever comes up. If you suspect there may be a title issue with your property, let us talk before you list so we can address it proactively.
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