Buying a home from a seller that has a county tax lien

[Kevin Polite]

I've been contacted by a seller that has a tax lien on their property.  They have 11 more months to pay it off the tax plus the 20% the County tacks on. My question is should I just get it under contract and the tax lien would be paid for by me through the closing attorney? The price I'm talking to the seller with and the underlying value of the home makes this well worth it if I can get it. 

[Paul Birkett]

@Kevin Polite, if they have unpaid taxes, there is a good chance they have other liens too. Ask the seller if there are any other liens on the home (second mortgage, mechanic's liens, township tax, school tax, city tax, municipal lien for water or sewer, any assessments or other liens against the property). If the answer is "yes" then you need to find out how much.  First, call the county and find out how much. If the amounts are low enough that the deal still makes sense, then get the home under contract (assuming you haven't spent any money on any of this and assuming it takes just a few minutes to do - I have no experience in this area).

Then pull title and check that you haven't missed anything (this step will cost you $150 or so). If title comes back clean (apart from the known items), you are in good shape!

good luck!