How lien and tax payoffs work
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. Your liens are paid off from the sale at closing.
A lien is a legal claim that can affect the property title or the money due at closing. A payoff is the current amount and instructions a creditor or tax office provides to settle an obligation as of a stated date. The title company checks the sale records and works with the named creditor or tax office for the written payoff and release information. An assessment or deed record does not tell you the current payoff.
Start with the records you have
The property address is enough to start the conversation. A parcel number, current tax bill or notice, lien or court document, creditor contact, payoff statement, mortgage information, or a notice with a date can help. You do not need to gather everything before calling.
We can talk through what you have. The title company checks ownership and recorded claims for the sale, while the creditor or tax office confirms its current payoff and release instructions. If a notice has a deadline or sale date, share it and confirm its current status with the office named on that notice.
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
1. Talk through the house and the records
Tell us the Hillsdale address, what you know about the tax account or lien, and any date on a notice. Start with what you have; you can call before every payoff detail is assembled.
2. Read the written offer and terms
We discuss the house as it stands and put the offer and terms in writing before you commit. Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing.
3. Check title and payoff information
If you choose to proceed, the title company reviews the ownership and recorded claims and works with the appropriate creditor or tax office to confirm current payoff and release information for the sale.
4. Review the closing figures and close
The closing statement lists the sale price, payoffs, taxes, and other transaction costs. The title company confirms the final figures and documents for the closing.
Hillsdale and Hillsdale County offices for tax and property records
The City Assessor covers assessment and property-tax information for properties within City boundaries. The County assessment directory lists Hillsdale City and Hillsdale Township as separate local units. Check which municipality contains the parcel before routing an assessment or tax question.
City of Hillsdale Treasurer
Use the City Treasurer for City tax-account questions. The City directs delinquent prior-year real-property-tax questions to the Hillsdale County Treasurer. The City Treasurer page lists (517) 437-6454.
Hillsdale County Treasurer
Contact the County Treasurer for delinquent real-property-tax and tax-foreclosure information. The office is at 33 McCollum St., Room 205, Hillsdale, MI 49242; call (517) 437-4700 to ask about the current parcel account and status.
City of Hillsdale Assessor
The City Assessor page covers assessment and property-tax information for addresses within City boundaries. It lists (517) 437-6455.
Hillsdale County Assessment Services
Use the County directory for assessment-services and GIS contacts. It lists Hillsdale City and Hillsdale Township separately. The office is at 33 McCollum St., Room 223, Hillsdale, MI 49242; call (517) 439-9166.
Hillsdale County Register of Deeds
Use this office's document-search and recording-requirement routes for recorded land documents. A recorded document is not a current payoff statement. The office is at 33 McCollum St., Room 212, Hillsdale, MI 49242; call (517) 437-2231.
Tax foreclosure and mortgage foreclosure are separate
The Hillsdale County Treasurer provides delinquent-tax and tax-foreclosure information. Ask about the current tax account, any notice, and the parcel's status. A tax foreclosure is separate from a lender's mortgage foreclosure; check the live status and deadlines with the office or creditor handling the notice.
Michigan mortgage foreclosure auctions are commonly called sheriff's sales. In a foreclosure by advertisement, six months after the sale is the most common redemption period, but shorter and longer periods apply. Redemption requires the sale amount plus required interest and charges, not just missed payments. Have a title company or attorney confirm the sale status, exact deadline, and amount for the property before relying on a closing date.
Read Michigan's foreclosure stages · Read MCL 600.3240 on redemption periods and amounts
Michigan state and county real estate transfer taxes
For an ordinary taxable sale, Michigan 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 real estate transfer tax is generally another 55 cents for each $500, or part of $500. The seller is generally responsible under state law. State and county exemptions are separate, so the property's county, sale value, and any exemption need to be checked for the actual sale.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Michigan state and county real estate transfer taxes. This does not pay your mortgage, liens, back taxes, or share of current property taxes.
Read Michigan's state transfer-tax statutes · Read the county transfer-tax statute
Compare possible net proceeds
Put your own estimated sale price, mortgage and lien payoffs, taxes, repairs, and selling costs into the Hillsdale home-sale net proceeds calculator. Its figures are estimates; the title company confirms the actual payoff and settlement amounts.
Questions and contact
Hillsdale property-lien and back-tax questions
Can I sell my Hillsdale house with back taxes or liens before paying them?
When you sell to us, we can set it up so you don't have to prepay anything — it comes out at closing. Yes. We buy houses as-is in Hillsdale and Hillsdale County, Michigan, including houses with back taxes or liens. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. Your liens are paid off from the sale at closing.
Who checks the current lien or tax payoff?
The title company works with the creditor or tax office named in the records to confirm current written payoff and release information. An assessment or recorded document is not the same as a current payoff amount.
What should I have ready before I call about a lien or back taxes?
Start with the property address and whatever you have: a parcel number, tax bill or notice, creditor or case information, lien document, mortgage information, payoff statement, or sale notice. You can call before you have every record.
Which Hillsdale office handles delinquent property taxes?
The City Treasurer directs questions about delinquent prior-year real-property taxes to the Hillsdale County Treasurer. The County Treasurer provides delinquent-tax and foreclosure information; ask about the current parcel balance and status. The City Assessor and county assessment directory cover different local units, so check which municipality contains the property.
Is a property-tax foreclosure the same as a mortgage foreclosure?
No. Delinquent property taxes and a lender’s mortgage foreclosure are separate processes. The Hillsdale County Treasurer is the local route for delinquent-tax and tax-foreclosure information. Michigan mortgage foreclosure auctions are commonly called sheriff’s sales, and redemption periods vary; verify the current deadline and amount for the specific property.
What transfer taxes apply when a Hillsdale County house sells?
For an ordinary taxable sale, Michigan state real estate transfer tax is $3.75 for each $500 of the property's value, or part of $500. The county real estate transfer tax is generally another 55 cents for each $500, or part of $500. State and county exemptions are separate, so the county, sale value, and any exemption need to be checked for the actual sale. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Michigan state and county real estate transfer taxes. This does not pay your mortgage, liens, back taxes, or share of current property taxes.
What happens after I contact you about the property?
We talk through the house and the records you have, then provide the offer and terms in writing before you commit. If you choose to proceed, a title company reviews the title and works with the relevant offices and lienholders on current payoff information and closing documents.
Read our Hillsdale reviews or return to the Hillsdale market page.
Talk through the property
Call 888-274-5006 or share the Hillsdale address and the notice or payoff information you have.
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Share the address and what you know about the lien, back taxes, payoff, or notice.