Start with the property address and the notice, payoff statement, parcel number, account or case number, deed, mortgage statement, or court paper you have. You do not need to assemble everything before calling.
A creditor or the county tax office confirms its current balance and instructions. The county appraisal district can answer appraisal-record questions; an assessed value is not a payoff. The county clerk’s property-record office handles recorded deeds and other land records. The title company checks ownership and recorded claims for the sale and coordinates the payoff information needed for closing.
A property-tax notice and a mortgage-foreclosure notice involve different debts and offices. Check the notice and current status with the responsible county office for a tax matter, or with the lender or servicer and the court named in a mortgage matter.