Bellingham, Washington · Whatcom County
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 Bellingham and across Whatcom County, including houses with back taxes or liens. You don't need to pay off your back taxes before we settle. We buy houses with back taxes and liens — payoffs get handled through the closing, not by you upfront.
We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us. You get a written offer and written terms before you commit, and we close through a title company.
We answer 24/7 at 888-274-5006. You can call now with the address and the question in front of you.
Share the property address and what you know about the tax or lien notice.
How payoffs work
Mortgage balances, liens, back taxes, and your share of current property taxes are separate from the closing costs we pay. The title company works with the lender, creditor, or tax office to confirm current figures for closing.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. Your liens are paid off from the sale at closing.
Records and next step
A tax bill or county notice helps with a property-tax question. A mortgage or creditor statement, lien notice, court paper, or payoff letter helps us understand the balance or claim. The lender, creditor, or tax office confirms the current payoff, and the title company coordinates the figures for closing. Call with the address and whatever notice or statement you have; you do not need to collect everything first.
Call 888-274-5006 or use the form above. We can begin with the address and the question you have.
Think the payoff is more than the house is worth? Ask us — we've gotten lenders to come down before.
Start with the Bellingham or Whatcom County address and whatever you know about the tax or lien. We buy houses as-is; no repairs, cleaning, or cleanout are required to sell to us.
Take your time with the proposed price, responsibilities, payoff treatment, and closing terms. You decide whether to proceed.
The title company checks ownership and recorded claims for the transaction and coordinates with the lender, creditor, or tax office for current payoff information. The responsible office or creditor confirms its own balance and release instructions.
The settlement statement shows the sale price, payoff amounts, taxes, closing costs, and the amount remaining after those items. You review the written figures before the title-company closing.
Local records and offices
For a property-tax bill or amount due, start with the Treasurer through Whatcom County's official website. If you have a bill or notice, call us and we can go through it with you.
Whatcom County official website ↗For assessed values or assessment records, contact the Assessor through Whatcom County's official website.
Whatcom County official website ↗For deeds and other recorded land documents, contact Auditor / Recording through Whatcom County's official website.
Whatcom County official website ↗The Washington State Courts directory lists Superior Court at 311 Grand Ave., Suite 501, Bellingham, WA 98225-4038, and the County Clerk at 311 Grand Ave., Suite 301, Bellingham, WA 98225-4038. If you have a court notice, call us and we can go through its dates and contact information together.
Washington State Courts — Whatcom County directory ↗A county tax notice and a lender or trustee foreclosure notice concern separate processes. If either notice lists a deadline, contact the office, lender, or trustee named on it promptly. Call us too, and we can talk through selling the house while you address the notice.
Washington's Department of Financial Institutions provides information about mortgage and deed-of-trust foreclosure.
Washington Department of Financial Institutions foreclosure information ↗
Washington calls its transfer tax real estate excise tax (REET). The Department of Revenue says the seller generally pays; if the seller does not, the buyer is responsible, and unpaid tax can become a lien on the property. The state portion is graduated by taxable selling price and classification, with local REET added, so the exact amount depends on the property's location and transaction. The settlement agent confirms the current rate, any exemption, and the amount on the settlement paperwork.
Your mortgage balance, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate from the closing costs we pay.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Washington real estate excise tax.
Washington Department of Revenue real estate excise tax guidance ↗
Use the Bellingham home-sale net proceeds calculator to compare estimates with your own sale price, mortgage, lien or tax amount, and costs. Just an estimate — the actual number could be more or less depending on the home's condition.
“LISTEN, PROPERTY TAXES GOT TOO HIGH FOR MY FIXED INCOME. SOLD IT TO THEM. WALKED AWAY WITH CASH. GLAD IT'S OVER.”
“Facing foreclosure ... Very stressful time... They handled it professionally and got me out of the debt...”
“no open houses. no realtors tracking dirt in. just a straight cash sale for our house so we could move. Glad it's over.”
Yes. We buy houses with back taxes and liens. You don't need to pay off your back taxes before we settle; payoffs are handled through closing, not by you upfront. You can call before you have every notice or balance in hand.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. Your liens are paid off from the sale at closing. Back taxes, mortgage balances, and other lien payoffs are separate from the closing costs we pay; the current amounts are checked for the property.
Start with the property address and whatever notice or statement you have. A tax bill or county notice, mortgage or creditor statement, lien or court paper, or payoff letter can help us understand the question. You can call before collecting anything else.
The county or creditor holding the account can confirm its current balance, and the title company coordinates payoff information for closing. Call us with the address and the notice or statement you have, and we can go through it together.
No. A county tax notice and a lender or trustee foreclosure notice concern separate processes. If either notice lists a deadline, contact the office, lender, or trustee named on it promptly. Call us too, and we can talk through selling the house while you address the notice.
Washington calls its transfer tax real estate excise tax (REET). The Department of Revenue says the seller generally pays; if the seller does not, the buyer is responsible, and unpaid tax can become a lien on the property. The amount depends on the taxable sale and location. The settlement agent confirms the current rate and amount. Your mortgage balance, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate from closing costs. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Washington real estate excise tax.
Think the payoff is more than the house is worth? Ask us — we've gotten lenders to come down before. The creditor or tax office and the title company check the current payoff and settlement figures for the property.
We talk through the property and what you know, review the house as it stands, and put the proposed price and terms in writing before you decide. A title company checks ownership and recorded claims and coordinates the current payoff information for closing.
You can call before you have every payoff or county record. Tell us what is happening with the Bellingham or Whatcom County property, and we can talk through the next step.
Call 888-274-5006. We answer 24/7.
Share the address and the tax, lien, or payoff question you want to start with.