City of Alpena Assessor ↗
Use the City Assessor’s office for City of Alpena property-assessment questions.
Alpena, MI · Alpena County · Back taxes and liens
Can I Sell My Alpena House With Back Taxes or Liens?
When you sell to us, we can set it up so you don't have to prepay anything — it comes out at closing.
Yes. USA Home Buyers buys houses as-is in the City of Alpena and Alpena County, Michigan, including houses with back taxes or liens. We can talk through the house and what you know about the notice or payoff.
We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
Call 888-274-5006 or use the form to ask for a cash offer. You can call before you have every document.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Start with the Alpena address and whatever you know about the notice, payoff, or creditor.
How lien and back-tax payoffs work
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. Your liens are paid off from the sale at closing.
The lender, tax office, or other creditor confirms its current payoff amount and payment instructions. The title company checks ownership and recorded claims, then uses the confirmed figures to prepare the closing statement. Your mortgage payoff, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes appear there as separate items.
No agent commissions when you sell to us. No fees.
Records that help — and when to call
Start with the property address. A tax bill or notice, mortgage statement, payoff letter, lien or court paper, or creditor name can help identify the account. You can call before you have every record.
For county land-record searches and document copies, contact the Alpena County Register of Deeds. When you sell to us, the title company checks the records it needs for closing.
If the payoff is the problem
Think the payoff is more than the house is worth? Ask us — we've gotten lenders to come down before.
What happens next
Start with a conversation about the house and the lien or tax notice. If you want to consider a sale, here is how the written terms and closing fit together.
1. Talk through the house and what you know
Share the Alpena address and whatever information you have about the property, the notice, or the payoff. You do not need to finish gathering records before you call.
2. Review the house and written terms
We review the house as it stands. You get a written offer and written terms before you commit, and we close through a title company.
3. Confirm title and payoff information
If you choose to proceed, the title company checks ownership and recorded claims. The lender, creditor, or tax office confirms the current payoff and release instructions for the closing.
4. Review closing figures and close
The closing statement shows the sale price, confirmed payoffs, taxes, closing costs, and what remains after those items. Close as fast as 7 days when title and closing details allow. The title company handles the closing under the written terms.
Alpena property and tax offices
The City of Alpena and Alpena Township are separate local units. The City Assessor handles City assessment questions; the County Treasurer handles delinquent property-tax questions and county tax-foreclosure information.
Alpena County Treasurer — delinquent property taxes ↗
Contact the County Treasurer about delinquent property-tax accounts, notices, and county tax-foreclosure status.
Alpena County Register of Deeds ↗
Use the Register for recorded deeds, mortgages, and other county land-record questions.
County tax foreclosure and mortgage foreclosure are separate
A property-tax foreclosure concerns delinquent property taxes; a mortgage foreclosure concerns the home loan. They have separate notices and deadlines. For delinquent-tax account or county tax-foreclosure information, contact the Alpena County Treasurer. For a mortgage foreclosure, follow the current lender or sheriff notice and see the Alpena foreclosure information.
Michigan state and county real estate transfer taxes
For an ordinary taxable sale, Michigan’s state real estate transfer tax is $3.75 for each $500 of the property’s value at the time of sale, or part of $500. The county tax is generally another 55 cents for each $500, or part of $500. The seller is generally responsible under state law. Michigan has separate state and county exemptions. Not sure? Call us — we'll sort it out with you.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Michigan state and county real estate transfer taxes.
Michigan law on state transfer-tax rate and liability →Michigan law on county transfer-tax rate and exemptions →
Questions and contact
Compare a possible sale with the payoff and other selling costs. The calculator is an estimate, not a property-specific offer or payoff. Just an estimate — the actual number could be more or less depending on the home's condition.
Compare possible Alpena net proceeds with the home-sale calculator →
Alpena property liens and back-tax questions
Can I sell my Alpena house with back taxes or liens before paying them?
Yes. We buy houses with back taxes and liens, and the payoffs are handled through closing rather than paid by you upfront. Call with the property address and whatever notice or payoff information you have; you can start before you have every record.
Who confirms the current tax or lien payoff?
The tax office, lender, or creditor named on the notice confirms its current balance and payoff instructions. The title company checks ownership and recorded claims for the sale and uses confirmed figures in the closing work.
Is a property-tax foreclosure the same as mortgage foreclosure?
No. A property-tax foreclosure concerns delinquent property taxes. Mortgage foreclosure concerns a home loan. They are separate processes with separate notices and deadlines; follow the notice for the process affecting your property.
What information helps when I call?
Start with the property address. A tax notice, mortgage statement, payoff letter, lien or court paper, or creditor name can help, but you can call before you have every document.
What if the mortgage payoff is more than my house is worth?
Think the payoff is more than the house is worth? Ask us — we've gotten lenders to come down before.
What happens after I contact USA Home Buyers?
We talk through the house and what you know. You get a written offer and written terms before you commit, and we close through a title company. If you choose to proceed, the title company checks ownership and recorded claims, and the lender, creditor, or tax office confirms payoff details.
What our sellers say
“LISTEN, PROPERTY TAXES GOT TOO HIGH FOR MY FIXED INCOME. SOLD IT TO THEM. WALKED AWAY WITH CASH. GLAD IT'S OVER.”
“Just wanted to say, taxes were 3 years behind on my house... county was going to auction it... they bought it, paid the taxes at closing, gave me the rest... Thanks...”
Call USA Home Buyers at 888-274-5006 or use the form above. You can call before you have every record.