Reno, NV · Washoe County
Can I Sell My Reno 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. You can call us about a Reno or Washoe County house with back taxes or liens before you have every record. USA Home Buyers buys houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us — in Reno and Washoe County, Nevada.
Reno is in southern Washoe County, but a Reno mailing address does not by itself show whether a parcel is inside City limits. Use the property location to confirm which local office handles a question.
Call 888-274-5006 or use the form to request a cash offer. You can start with the 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 whatever you have about the notice, payoff, creditor, or tax account.
How liens and payoffs work
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. Your liens are paid off from the sale at closing.
Your mortgage, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate from the closing costs we pay. The title company checks ownership and recorded claims; the lender, creditor, or tax office confirms the current payoff and release instructions for its account.
Bring the records you have
A lien is a claim that can affect the property or the money due at closing. A payoff is the current amount and instructions from the creditor or tax office. A bill or old statement can help start the conversation, but the title company and the office or creditor confirm current figures for the sale.
Start with the property address. If you have them, bring a parcel number, tax bill or notice, mortgage or lien statement, creditor or case number, and any sale notice. You do not need to gather everything before calling.
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.
Ask your lender for a current payoff statement and share it with us. The current statement helps compare the payoff with the written sale terms.
What happens next
- Tell us the property address and what you know about the lien, tax account, or notice.
- We review the house as-is and give you a written offer and written terms before you commit.
- If you want to proceed, a title company checks ownership, recorded claims, payoff requirements, and the figures needed for closing.
- You review the settlement figures, and closing takes place through the title company if you choose to move forward.
Reno and Washoe County offices to check
Assessment records, tax accounts, and recorded real-estate documents are handled by different offices. Use the office that matches the record or notice in front of you.
Washoe County Treasurer
Contact the Treasurer about a property-tax account, payment, or tax-auction notice. Washoe County holds auctions for delinquent property and mobile-home taxes; follow the current notice for the parcel-specific status and dates. The office is at 1001 E. 9th Street, Room D140, Reno, NV 89512-2845; call (775) 328-2510. See the County's tax-auction information.
Washoe County Assessor
Use the Assessor for assessed value and parcel-record questions. Assessment records are not the same as a tax payment account or recorded ownership documents. The office is at 1001 E. 9th Street, Building D, Reno, NV 89512-2845; call (775) 328-2277.
Washoe County Recorder's Office
Contact the Recorder about recorded real-estate documents, indexing, and recording requirements. The office is at 1001 E. Ninth Street, Reno, NV 89512; the real-estate records phone is (775) 328-3660. The Recorder also provides information about Washoe real property transfer tax; ask the office or your closing professional about the amount for a specific transaction.
Keep a tax auction separate from mortgage foreclosure
A Washoe County tax auction concerns delinquent property or mobile-home taxes. A mortgage trustee sale concerns a home loan secured by a deed of trust. They have different notices and procedures, so do not use a mortgage-sale date to work out a tax notice or a tax-auction notice to work out a mortgage deadline.
If your notice is about a mortgage trustee sale, follow the notice and confirm the current date with the trustee or lender. Read our Reno foreclosure information for the Nevada mortgage-sale process.
Nevada real property transfer tax
Nevada charges real property transfer tax when a deed is recorded. It is calculated for each $500 of value or part of $500; the applicable rate depends on the county. The Washoe County Recorder collects the tax before recording the deed, along with a declaration of value. Ask the Recorder or your closing professional to confirm the amount for this sale rather than using a rate from another county.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Nevada's real property transfer tax. Your mortgage, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate.
Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 375 · Nevada Department of Taxation: real property transfer tax · Washoe County Recorder office functions
Compare possible net proceeds
Use your own estimated sale price, payoff, lien or tax amount, and costs to compare what might remain after closing. The calculator is an editable planning estimate; use current payoff figures from the lender or county office.
Reno home-sale net-proceeds calculator →Reno property liens and back taxes questions
Can I sell a Reno house with back taxes or liens before paying them?
Yes. When you sell to us, we can set it up so you don't have to prepay anything — it comes out at closing. Your current payoff and title details are checked as the sale moves forward.
Who checks the current payoff amount for a lien or tax bill?
The title company checks ownership and recorded claims for the sale. Your lender, other creditor, or the Washoe County office named in a tax notice provides the current amount and payoff or release instructions.
Is a Washoe County tax auction the same as a mortgage trustee sale?
No. A Washoe County tax auction concerns delinquent property or mobile-home taxes. A mortgage trustee sale concerns a home loan secured by a deed of trust. They are separate processes with separate notices and timing; follow the notice for the specific matter and contact the Washoe County Treasurer about a tax account or auction notice.
What records should I have when I call about a lien?
Start with the property address and any tax bill, notice, payoff statement, creditor or case information, parcel number, or sale notice you have. You can call before you have every document or balance.
What if my lender 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. Bring the current payoff statement so the written figures can be reviewed.
When is Nevada real property transfer tax due?
Nevada real property transfer tax applies when a deed is recorded and is calculated for each $500 of value or part of $500. The rate depends on the county. Ask the Washoe County Recorder or your closing professional to confirm the amount for your transaction.
What happens after I contact USA Home Buyers?
We talk through the property and the records you have, review the house as-is, and put the offer and terms in writing before you commit. If you choose to move forward, a title company checks title and payoff requirements and handles the closing.
What sellers say about USA Home Buyers
Read more on our Reno-area reviews page.
Talk through the property
Call 888-274-5006 or use the form above. Start with the address and whatever lien, tax, or payoff information you have.