How tax and lien payoffs work
A lien is a legal claim that can affect a property or the money due when it sells. A payoff is the current amount and instructions from the creditor or tax office to settle an obligation. An older bill, statement, or public record can help identify the question, but it may not show the current payoff for closing.
The title company checks ownership and the records that affect the sale. The creditor or county office confirms its current balance and payment or release instructions. Agreed payoffs are shown in the closing figures and handled through closing under the written terms. 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.
We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
Records that can help—and what to do next
If you have them, start with the Lima property address and parcel number, the latest tax bill or notice, a mortgage or creditor payoff statement, lien or court papers, and any case number or sale notice. The title company checks records that affect the sale; the creditor or county office named on a notice confirms its own current balance and instructions. You can call before you have everything gathered.
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 Lima property
Tell us the address, what you know about the house, and the lien, tax, or payoff question. You do not need to work out the balance before you call.
2. Review the written offer and terms
We review the house as-is and give you the offer and terms in writing before you decide. Read the proposed price, payoff treatment, responsibilities, and closing terms before you commit.
3. Check title and payoff details
If you choose to proceed, the title company checks ownership and the records needed for the transaction. The creditor or county office confirms its current payoff and release instructions for the closing.
4. Review the closing figures and close
Review the written closing figures, including the sale price and agreed payoffs, with the title company before closing. The sale closes through a title company under the written terms.
Allen County records, tax cases, and Ohio conveyance fees
A property-tax foreclosure and a lender's mortgage-foreclosure case are separate proceedings. Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5721 covers delinquent-land-tax foreclosure. A mortgage case concerns a home loan and has its own court record. Follow the notice and case number for the matter affecting your property; an Allen County Sheriff's Sales listing is a starting point for sale information, not a payoff statement or a substitute for checking the case.
Allen County Auditor ↗
Start with the Auditor for parcel and property-record questions. Use the parcel number on your tax bill or notice when asking about the property. A parcel record is not the creditor's current payoff; confirm a balance or payment instruction with the office named on the current notice.
Allen County Recorder ↗
The Recorder maintains Allen County land records, including deeds, mortgages, and recorded liens. A record can help identify a claim, but the creditor or tax office must confirm its current amount and instructions.
Allen County Sheriff's Sales ↗
Use the Sheriff's Sales page as a starting point for current sale information. If you have a tax or mortgage case notice, check the current status and dates with the court or office named on that notice.
Ohio conveyance fee
Ohio law sets a state conveyance fee of $1 per $1,000 of value and allows a county to add up to $3 per $1,000. The county amount varies. Ask the Allen County Auditor and the closing company to confirm the amount that applies to the property being sold.
See Ohio Revised Code §319.54 for the state fee and §322.02 for the county fee authority. For delinquent-tax foreclosure law, see Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5721. For the separate lender process, read the Lima mortgage-foreclosure information.
Questions and contact
Compare possible net proceeds
Use the Lima home-sale net proceeds calculator to compare your own estimates for sale value, mortgage payoff, liens or taxes, repairs, and other costs. Just an estimate — the actual number could be more or less depending on the home's condition.
What sellers say about USA Home Buyers
Lima property liens and back taxes questions
Can I sell my Lima 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. USA Home Buyers buys houses as-is in Lima and Allen County, Ohio, including houses with back taxes or liens. You can call with the property address before you have every notice or payoff figure.
How are tax and lien payoffs handled at closing?
The title company checks the records that affect the sale. The creditor or county office confirms its current balance and payment or release instructions. Any agreed payoff is shown in the closing figures and handled through closing under the written terms.
What records should I have when I call about a lien or back taxes?
Start with the Lima property address and any parcel number, tax bill or notice, lien or court paper, mortgage or creditor payoff statement, or case or sale notice you have. You can call before you have everything assembled.
Are an Ohio tax foreclosure and a mortgage foreclosure the same process?
No. An Ohio tax-foreclosure case concerns delinquent property taxes; a mortgage-foreclosure case concerns a home loan. They are separate proceedings with separate notices and case records. Use the notice and case information for the specific matter, and confirm its status with the office or court named there.
What conveyance fee applies when I sell a Lima house?
Ohio law sets a state conveyance fee of $1 per $1,000 of value and allows a county to add up to $3 per $1,000. County amounts vary, so ask the Allen County Auditor and the closing company to confirm the amount for your sale.
What if the payoff is more than my Lima house is worth?
Think the payoff is more than the house is worth? Ask us — we've gotten lenders to come down before.
Talk through the property
Call 888-274-5006 or use the form to share the Lima address and what you know about the lien or tax account.
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 notice, payoff, creditor, or tax account.