Delinquent taxes & liens
Sell land with back taxes in Texas
Unpaid property taxes grow fast and can end in a tax sale. Selling to a cash buyer pays them off at closing and can leave money in your pocket.
- No commissions, no fees, no repairs
- Written cash offer, no obligation
- You pick the closing date
Get your no-obligation cash offer
Takes about 60 seconds. No cost, no pressure.
- Cash or flexible termsNo bank approval, no financing contingency
- Title company closingLicensed Texas title handles it
- $0 fees or commissionsThe offer is what you receive
- Written, no-obligation offerDecline anytime, no cost
- Texas-based buyerTexas landowners and families
How Texas delinquent taxes grow
Property taxes are due by January 31. After that they are delinquent, and the amount owed climbs every month:
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| February 1 | Penalty begins at 6 percent, interest at 1 percent per month |
| March through June | Penalty rises by one point each month |
| July 1 | Penalty reaches 12 percent, and a collection fee of up to 20 percent can attach if sent to an attorney |
| After that | Interest keeps accruing, and the taxing units can file a tax suit |
If a judgment is obtained, the property can be sold at a constable or sheriff sale on the first Tuesday of a month. The owner's redemption period afterward is generally 180 days, or two years for homestead and agricultural land.
How selling with back taxes works
- We get the payoff. The title company requests statements from every taxing unit and lienholder.
- We make an offer based on net. We explain the sale price, the taxes and liens, and your net.
- Closing pays them off. The title company sends payoff checks directly.
- You receive the remainder. If there is equity, it is yours.
Other liens we regularly handle
- Mortgage or deed of trust
- Mechanic's and materialmen's liens
- Judgment liens and abstracts of judgment
- City mowing, demolition and code enforcement liens
- Child support liens, which must be paid at closing
- HOA or property owners association liens
What if the land was inherited?
Back taxes are very common on inherited land, particularly when an estate was never opened. Learn more at sell my inherited land and selling probate property.
Related problems
No road to the land? See selling landlocked land. Need speed? See sell land fast.
What if the land is worth less than the debt?
This happens. If taxes, interest and liens exceed the likely sale price, a conventional sale may not work. Options include:
- A payment plan. Some taxing units offer installment agreements for delinquent taxes. Ask the tax office.
- Negotiating with lienholders. Some will accept less than full payment for a quick payoff.
- Selling for what the land will bring. Some owners accept a smaller or zero net to stop the debt from growing.
- Getting legal advice. An attorney can explain bankruptcy, redemption and other rules that may apply.
We would rather tell you the truth early than surprise you at closing. If the numbers do not work, we say so and explain what we know.
What if the land is already scheduled for a tax sale?
Speak to an attorney immediately. Tax sale dates are set by the court, and a sale can occur on short notice. A buyer who can close quickly may be able to pay off the debt before the sale, but this depends on timing, title and the amount. Send us the details right away.
What documents help?
- The most recent tax statement or delinquent notice
- Any letters from a collection attorney
- The deed or recording information
- Any notices of liens or judgments
- A death certificate and will, if the owner has passed away
Tax rates, deadlines and redemption rules can change and vary by situation. We are a property buyer, not a law firm. Consult a Texas attorney if you have received a tax suit or notice of sale.
Cash is simple. Some land needs more than that.
We buy for cash when that works. When a deal needs it, we get creative: owner-financed purchases, notes, partnerships and development.
Cash offer
A written offer within 24 hours. Closing typically takes 7 to 30 days, or on the date you choose. No commissions or fees.
Owner financing and notes
Want a down payment and payments over time? We can buy your land on owner-financed terms, and we can talk about buying an owner-financed note you hold.
Partnerships and entitlement
Land with development potential? We partner with landowners, buy entitled land and take properties through entitlement.
There is no one-size-fits-all land deal. Each one can have its own lenders, financials and offers, so contact us for details.
Tell us how you want to be paid How owner financing works → Investor? Register for deals →
Common questions
Can I sell land in Texas if I owe back property taxes?
Yes. The delinquent taxes, penalties and interest are paid off from the sale proceeds at closing, and you receive the remainder. Selling before a tax suit is the cleanest route.
How much do penalties and interest add?
Texas property taxes are delinquent after January 31. A penalty starts at 6 percent and rises to 12 percent by July, plus interest of 1 percent per month, and a collection fee of up to 20 percent can be added if the account goes to an attorney. The longer you wait, the bigger the bill.
What if a tax suit or foreclosure has been filed?
You can often still sell, but the clock matters. Texas tax sales happen at the county courthouse on the first Tuesday of the month, and the redemption period afterward is generally 180 days, or two years for homestead and agricultural land. Talk to an attorney and us quickly.
What about other liens like mowing, mechanic or judgment liens?
Most recorded liens can be paid from proceeds, with the title company getting payoff statements. We review them all in the title commitment.
What if I owe more than the land is worth?
Tell us. Sometimes lienholders accept a reduced payoff, and sometimes a short sale or negotiation is possible. We will be honest about what is realistic.
Will I get anything?
Often yes. If the land is worth more than the liens, you receive the difference at closing.
Do I have to pay my back taxes before I sell?
No. The title company pays them from the proceeds at closing.
Will the taxes reduce my proceeds?
Yes, by the amount owed. Our written offer shows the estimated payoff so you can see what you would receive.
Can you buy land that is in a tax suit?
Sometimes. It depends on timing, title and the court case. Send us the information and we tell you what we see.
Do you buy land with city mowing liens?
Yes. These are common on vacant lots, and they can usually be paid at closing.
Ready to see what your property is worth to us?
Tell us about it in 60 seconds. You will get a straight answer, with no obligation and no pressure.