I purchased a house without doing a title search. How do i remove liens from 20 years ago?

Question

I am now trying to sell the house.

Answer 1

Most states  have a time limit on when a lien can be valid. Check with a real estate attorney in your state.

Answer 2

Did you purchase title insurance?

Answer 3

pay them off?

Answer 4

Simple put you cant remove them without paying. They will try to get a payoff or release of lein, but if they are unable it will show on the title report. A title company wont insure your new lender or the new owner without clearing this matter up. 20 years in not long enough, The title company found it. so it is still out there.

Answer 5

To remove liens from a property they must be paid off, or the lien holder release them.

If you did not use a title company when you purchased the property and the liens were on the property you inherited them.

Unless your state use attorneys as closing agents you do not need an attorney.

The best thing to do now  is call the lien holders. See if you can make a deal with them, ask if they will take less for their liens if you can pay them off in a certain period of time?

Some of the liens might have been paid and the release not recorded so make sure you see if the lien is still owed before making any deal. Ask if they have a recorded release?

In some states there are tme limits. The liens have to be recorded again after a certain length of time. Check with your state to find out when and if your state has this requirement.

Your title company should know this so you might ask them if they know.



I know that hindsight is well you know.

You should always use a title company whenever you buy real estate.



I hope this has been of some use to you, good luck.

“FIGHT ON”

Answer 6

Ask the title company you are working with now (since it sounds like you didn't use one when you purchased the house).  They can tell you how to proceed.  You will probably need to consult a real estate attorney.

Liens have a fixed life.  Doubt that ones 20 years old are valid.

Lesson for others:  ALWAYS get title insurance.

Answer 7

sharon is kinda correct.  It depends on the state.  In some states 20 years works, but in others it can be 40-60 years.  Without having title produced, you lose a big asset here, not only in an owners policy, but in the ability to get a letter of indeminty.  I would go to a real estate attorney on this and look for all the documents from the purchase, good luck

Answer 8

You will be paying something, but with a lawyer you might be able to knock down the price.