Statute of Limitations Expired on a Second Mortgage in California

[Steven Williams]

Hello BP Family,

I'm trying to close on a deal in Fairfield California before the primary mortgage holder forecloses on the property sometime next month. I'm able to offer about $25k more than the payoff from the primary mortgage holder.

The problem is that the title report is showing a lien for $77k that appears to be a second mortgage taken out in 2007... According to the $77k lien holder the $77k debt was charged off in 2008 and the payoff says the statute of limitations has expired.

The seller claims to have no idea what this $77k lien is and the lien holder says that it can take 30 days to dispute the lien (The primary mortgage holder will foreclose on the property by then)

Can a lien with expired statue of limitations be removed from a property in California?

Any advice will be gratefully accepted.

Thanks!