How lien and tax payoffs work
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.
A lien is a legal claim against real estate tied to money owed. A payoff is the current amount needed to satisfy a debt. The title company reviews the property records and current payoff information with the lender, tax office, or other creditor involved. The confirmed settlement figures show which amounts are paid from the sale proceeds and what remains after those amounts and closing costs.
We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
Records that help — and when to call
Start with the property address and any county tax notice, current payoff statement, creditor letter, court paper, deed, or parcel information you have. The creditor or office named on a notice or statement can confirm its current balance; the title company checks the records and payoff details for the sale.
You can call or use the form while you gather paperwork. You do not need to have the final payoff amount or every record before starting the conversation.
If the payoff is more than the 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 when you ask about a sale?
- Call or send the form with the address and any lien, tax, or payoff papers you have.
- We discuss the property and give you a written offer and terms to review before you decide.
- If you want to move ahead, a title company handles the closing and reviews the documents, ownership, and payoff information that apply to the sale.
- Review the confirmed settlement figures with the title company before signing and closing.
Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing.
To compare possible proceeds, use the Harrisburg net-proceeds calculator. Enter your own offer, payoffs, and known costs.
Pennsylvania property-tax sale steps
When property taxes go unpaid, the county can put the house up for a tax sale, and the county's notice gives the date. If a sale closes before that date, delinquent taxes may be paid from the proceeds if enough money remains after other liens and closing costs. A sale agreement alone does not resolve the tax claim. If a notice arrives, call us as soon as you can; timing matters. See the Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Law, Sections 601–603.
Keep the notice and any current payoff statement together. The title company can review the figures that apply to a sale; use the date printed on the county notice when you ask about the next step.
A county property-tax sale is separate from a mortgage foreclosure. For the mortgage-foreclosure process, see our Harrisburg foreclosure page.
Dauphin County office pages
Harrisburg is in Dauphin County. The county lists its Recorder of Deeds among its offices: Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds.
The county also lists its Assessment Office. An assessment or valuation is different from a lien payoff or a delinquent-tax balance. For a current balance or sale status, use the notice and confirm it with the office or creditor named there.
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Tell us the address and any lien or tax notice you have.
What sellers say about USA Home Buyers
Here's what sellers in Harrisburg have said about working with us.
“I had a tenant in my rental on Green Street who stopped paying rent and wouldn't leave. USA Home Buyers bought the property with the tenant still in it. That was it. Done.”
“The furnace died in December and the pipes froze on the north wall. Three rooms with water damage, and the insurance claim was disputed because I'd had a lapse in coverage for two months. I was looking at $27,000 in repairs with no insurance help. USA Home Buyers came out and had me a fair number the next day. Closed in seven days.”
“Our house in Midtown was the one thing me and my ex agreed had to go. Dauphin County proceedings, judge gave us ninety days. USA Home Buyers had a written offer in twenty-four hours — fair number, both of us agreed without argument. Closed in twelve days. The house was the easiest part of the whole process.”
Property liens in Harrisburg: common questions
What should I have ready when I call about a lien?
Start with the property address and any tax notice, payoff statement, court paper, or creditor letter you already have. Share what you know; you can contact us while you gather the rest.
Can I call before I have the final payoff amount?
Yes. Call us or use the form with the address and the information you have. You can ask while you are waiting for an updated statement or gathering other records.
How can I compare an offer with the payoff amounts?
Use the Harrisburg net-proceeds calculator linked above to enter your own offer, payoff amounts, and known costs so you can compare the figures.
Related Harrisburg resources
Sell a house in Harrisburg · Code violations · Back-taxes guide · Facing foreclosure · Harrisburg seller reviews