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.
Mortgage balances, back taxes, and your share of current property taxes are separate from closing costs. The amount due and any release instructions come from the lender, lienholder, or tax office for that account.
Start with the information you have
The title company checks ownership and recorded claims, then works with the lender, lienholder, or tax office for current payoff amounts and release instructions. A recorded document or assessment may help identify a claim, but it is not a current payoff statement. The property address is enough to start the conversation; a tax bill, lien or court notice, mortgage statement, parcel number, or creditor contact can help us understand the situation. You can call before you have everything.
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
Talk through the house and what you know
We discuss the property, the notice or account, and the timing that concerns you. You do not need to have every document or balance before calling.
Review the written offer and terms
We put the offer and terms in writing before you commit, so you can review the proposed price, payoff treatment, responsibilities, and closing terms before deciding whether to proceed.
Confirm payoffs and close through a title company
If you choose to proceed, the title company checks ownership and works with the relevant creditor or tax office to confirm payoff and release details. The title company handles the closing and shows the sale and payoffs in the settlement paperwork.
Dare County lien, tax, and deed questions
A property-tax account or tax-sale notice is separate from a lender’s mortgage foreclosure. The office and dates on your notice matter. For mortgage-foreclosure questions, see the Kill Devil Hills foreclosure information.
Dare County Tax Department ↗
For a Dare County property-tax bill or tax-sale notice, start with the county Tax Department page or the office named on the notice. Ask about the current account amount and status.
Dare County Assessor ↗
The Assessor handles assessment inquiries. Assessment information is not a current tax bill, lien payoff, or collection balance. Call (252) 475-5940 or write to PO Box 1000, Manteo, NC 27954.
Dare County Register of Deeds ↗
Contact the Register of Deeds about recorded deeds and other public land records. A recorded document does not give the creditor’s current payoff amount. The office is at 962 Marshall Collins Drive, Manteo, NC 27954; call (252) 475-5970.
Dare County Clerk of Superior Court ↗
The Clerk is a local contact for an existing court matter. The Dare County Justice Center is at 962 Marshall Collins Drive, Manteo, NC 27954; call (252) 475-5200. Follow the notice and case information for the property.
Kill Devil Hills Planning and Inspections ↗
For a permit, inspection, or local code-compliance question in town, contact Planning and Inspections at 102 Town Hall Drive, Kill Devil Hills; call (252) 449-5300. This office does not approve a sale.
North Carolina excise tax on conveyances
North Carolina charges an excise tax when a deed transfers real estate: $1 for each $500 of the price or value, with any part of $500 counting as a full $500. By law, the seller pays it to the county Register of Deeds before the deed is recorded. Some transfers are exempt. Read the state excise-tax rule and the exemptions.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including North Carolina's excise tax on conveyances. Your mortgage, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate.
Compare possible net proceeds
Use your own estimates for the sale price, mortgage or lien payoff, taxes, repairs, and selling costs to compare what you might keep.
Read our Google reviews
Questions about liens and back taxes
Kill Devil Hills property-lien and back-tax questions
Can I sell a Kill Devil Hills 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. We buy houses with back taxes and liens — payoffs get handled through the closing, not by you upfront. 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 lender, lienholder, or tax office to confirm current payoff amounts and release instructions for the sale. A recorded document or assessment is not the same as a current payoff figure.
What should I have before I call about a lien or back taxes?
The property address is enough to start. A tax bill, lien or court notice, mortgage statement, parcel number, or creditor contact can help us understand what you are looking at. You can call before you have everything.
Is a property-tax matter the same as a mortgage foreclosure?
No. A property-tax account or tax-sale notice and a lender’s mortgage-foreclosure process are separate matters with different notices and timing. For a court matter already underway, the Dare County Clerk of Superior Court is a local contact; follow the notice and case information for the property.
What North Carolina transfer tax applies when a house sells?
North Carolina charges an excise tax on conveyances at $1 for each $500 of the price or value, with any part of $500 counting as a full $500. The seller pays it to the county Register of Deeds before the deed is recorded, unless an exemption applies. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including North Carolina's excise tax on conveyances. Your mortgage, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate.
What happens after I ask about selling?
We talk through the property and the information you have, then put the offer and terms in writing before you commit. If you choose to proceed, a title company checks ownership, works with the relevant creditor or tax office on payoff details, and handles closing.
Talk through the property
Call 888-274-5006 or use the form above. We answer 24/7 at 888-274-5006.