Selling a House with Title Issues or Liens in the Bay Area | Twin Home Buyer 2026 Guide

Title issues or liens can stop a Bay Area home sale dead—especially with older properties in Oakland’s Dimond District, San Francisco’s Sunset, or Antioch’s established neighborhoods. Unpaid tax liens, mechanic’s claims, boundary fights, or probate clouds scare off banks and agents. But you don’t have to wait months or hire expensive lawyers. As local cash buyers, Twin Home Buyer closes on problematic properties in 7-30 days, paying off issues at closing.


Common Title/Lien Problems Here

  1. Tax/Mechanic’s Liens – Whether it’s unpaid IRS taxes or contractor claims, these liens can stall your sale. For instance, an Oakland homeowner was stuck with over $15,400 in liens and charges, delaying their sale until they worked with us to close fast.

  2. Boundary/Easement Disputes – In dense areas like San Francisco or Oakland, property lines can be unclear, leading to disputes with neighbors. Such disputes often prevent financing and cause delays in the selling process.

  3. Cloudy Titles from Old Deeds/Inheritances – Titles that trace back to old deeds or probate issues can complicate sales. A San Jose homeowner recently contacted us after dealing with an inheritance title dispute. We resolved the issue and purchased the home in just two weeks.

Why Bay Area? High property values and aging homes lead to more surprises—tax, mechanic’s, and inheritance problems are common in the region.

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Why Traditional Sales Fail

Escrow dies, offers drop, and fees pile up. In 2026’s market (rates around 6-7%), financed buyers are disappearing. Many buyers cannot secure loans for properties with title issues. This means sellers are left waiting—often for months—before they finally consider cash buyers as a viable solution.

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Step-by-Step: Sell with Issues

  1. Get a Title Report (~$200-400 for counties like Alameda, Santa Clara, SF) – This report shows all liens or claims on the property.

  2. Skip DIY Fixes – Don’t waste money trying to resolve the issues yourself. You don’t need to fix anything before selling. We buy as-is!

  3. We Evaluate the Property – Whether virtually or in-person, we’ll assess your property and offer cash that factors in the issues.

  4. Close Fast – Once we agree on the price, we’ll handle the payoff of liens and title resolution, ensuring a smooth closing in 7-30 days.


Real Twin Home Buyer Wins

We recently closed on an Oakland home with a $4,319.27 tax lien, $6,600 in city and county deed taxes, and a $4,500 sewer lateral extension fee, totaling over $15,400 in liens and charges. The seller walked away with equity in just 12 days after reaching out to us. This is just one example of how we help sellers who need a quick, hassle-free sale, covering all the tough details so they can move forward fast.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell my house in the Bay Area if it has title issues or liens?
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Yes, you can sell your house with title issues or liens. Twin Home Buyer specializes in buying properties with legal complications, including title issues, unpaid taxes, and liens. We handle the process for you and help clear these issues, allowing for a quick sale.

How do you handle title issues or liens when buying a property?
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We work with legal professionals and title companies to resolve title issues and liens, ensuring a smooth transaction. You don’t need to worry about any of the legal complexities—we take care of everything to make the process fast and easy.

Will I get less money if my house has title issues or liens?
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While title issues or liens may affect the value of your property, Twin Home Buyer offers a fair cash price based on the condition of your home and its market value. You’ll still receive a competitive offer, even with these complications.

How long does it take to sell a house with title issues in the Bay Area?
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The process may take a bit longer than a typical sale, but Twin Home Buyer works quickly to resolve title issues. In many cases, you can still close the sale in a few weeks, depending on the complexity of the issue.

Do I need to pay off the liens before selling my home?
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No, you don’t need to pay off the liens before selling. Twin Home Buyer can purchase the property with the liens in place and work to clear them as part of the sale process. The amounts owed will typically be deducted from the sale price.

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Sell Your Home Fast for Cash with Title Issues or Liens in the Bay Area

If you're facing title issues or liens, Twin Home Buyer is here to help. Get a no-obligation cash offer and close in as little as a few days.

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