Howard County Department of Finance — Tax Sale ↗
Contact County Finance about a Howard County tax-sale notice or question.
Ilchester, Maryland · Howard County
Can I Sell My Ilchester 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. We buy houses with back taxes and liens in Ilchester. Call with the property address and whatever notice or payoff information you have; you can start before you have every record.
We answer 24/7 at 888-274-5006.
Talk through your Ilchester lien or tax question
Share the address and what you know about the lien, tax account, or notice. You can call before you have all the records.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Tell us the address and what you know about the notice, payoff, creditor, or tax account.
Prefer to call? 888-274-5006.
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.
The creditor or tax office confirms the current payoff amount and instructions. The title company checks the property records and works with those offices on the closing figures.
No fees.
Records that help — but you can call first
A recent mortgage statement, lien notice, Howard County tax bill, or payoff letter can help. If all you have is the address, call us with that and what you know so far. The creditor or Howard County tax office confirms the balance; the title company checks the records and coordinates the payoff details.
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 property
Tell us the Ilchester address and what you know about the tax or lien. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
2. Review the written terms
You get a written offer and written terms before you commit, and we close through a title company. No agent commissions when you sell to us.
3. Confirm title and payoffs
The title company checks the property records. Creditors and Howard County offices confirm current payoff amounts and instructions for closing.
4. Review the closing figures and close
Close as fast as 7 days when title and closing details allow.
Howard County tax sales, mortgage foreclosures, and transfer taxes
Ilchester is in Howard County. A Howard County tax sale concerns unpaid County property taxes. A mortgage foreclosure is a separate lender process, with its own notices and dates. If you received either notice, tell us which one and any date it lists.
Maryland’s state transfer tax is generally 0.5% of the taxable sale price. The rate is 0.25% when the buyer is a first-time Maryland home buyer who will live in the home; in that case, the seller pays the state transfer tax, recordation tax, and local transfer tax unless the parties expressly agree otherwise. Otherwise, transfer and recordation taxes are generally split equally unless the contract says otherwise. Howard County sets its recordation-tax rate, and a county transfer tax may also apply. Some transfers are exempt.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Maryland's state transfer tax, recordation tax and any applicable county transfer tax.
Maryland state transfer-tax lawMaryland recordation-tax lawMaryland tax-allocation rulesMaryland transfer-tax exemptionsMaryland mortgage-foreclosure information
Howard County Department of Finance — Real Property Tax ↗
For a Howard County property-tax bill or account question, call 410-313-2062.
Howard County Department of Finance — Recordation Tax ↗
For County recordation-tax and deed-stamping questions, call 410-313-2389 or visit the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043.
Circuit Court for Howard County — Land Records ↗
For recorded deeds, mortgages, or other land-record questions, call 410-313-5850 or visit 9250 Judicial Way, Suite 1900, Ellicott City, MD 21043.
Compare possible net proceeds
Add your estimated sale price, mortgage payoff, liens or back taxes, and other selling costs to compare what you might keep.
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...”
Ilchester property liens and back taxes questions
Can I sell my Ilchester 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 with back taxes and liens. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. Your liens are paid off from the sale at closing. 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 lien or tax payoff?
The creditor or Howard County tax office confirms its current balance and payoff instructions. The title company reviews the property records and works with those offices on the closing figures.
What should I have ready before I call?
A tax bill, lien notice, mortgage statement, or payoff letter can help. If you only have the Ilchester address, call us with that and what you know so far.
Is a Howard County tax sale the same as a mortgage foreclosure?
No. A Howard County tax sale concerns unpaid County property taxes. A mortgage foreclosure is a separate lender process, with its own notices and dates. Tell us which notice you received and any date it lists.
What if the payoff is more than my Ilchester house is worth?
Think the payoff is more than the house is worth? Ask us — we've gotten lenders to come down before.
Who pays Maryland transfer and recordation taxes when I sell to you?
Maryland’s state transfer tax is generally 0.5% of the taxable sale price. It drops to 0.25% when the buyer is a first-time Maryland home buyer who will live in the home; in that case, the seller pays the state transfer tax, recordation tax, and local transfer tax unless the parties expressly agree otherwise. Otherwise, these taxes are generally split equally unless the contract says otherwise. Some transfers are exempt. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Maryland’s state transfer tax, recordation tax and any applicable county transfer tax.
Talk through the property
Call 888-274-5006 or use the form above. Start with the Ilchester address and any notice or payoff information you have.