Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways Act Fast: A lis pendens means your property is tied up in court proceedings, and time is critical to protecting your equity before legal resolution or forced sale. You Can Still Sell: While traditional buyers will avoid lis pendens properties, experienced cash investors can purchase your home and handle the legal complications. Don't Lose Your Equity: With Flint property values recovering and many homes having $20,000-40,000 in equity, a lis pendens doesn't mean you have to walk away empty-handed. Get Expert Help: Flint's unique property challenges combined with lis pendens complications require someone who understands both the legal system and local real estate market.

Lis Pendens in Flint, Michigan: What Homeowners Need to Know Before They Lose Their Equity

Look, I've been buying houses in Michigan for over two decades, and I've seen what happens when homeowners in Flint don't understand lis pendens. Last month alone, I talked to three different families who had no idea their property was tangled up in court proceedings until it was almost too late to save their equity.

Here's the deal: if you're facing a lis pendens in Flint, you're not alone, and you're definitely not out of options. But you need to understand what you're dealing with and act fast. Let me break this down in plain English.

What Exactly Is a Lis Pendens?

Lis pendens is Latin for "lawsuit pending." In simple terms, it's a public notice filed in Genesee County records that says your property is involved in a legal dispute. Think of it like a giant red flag planted on your house that tells the whole world, "Hey, there's a court case involving this property."

I've seen this a hundred times in Flint. The most common situations where you'll see a lis pendens filed include:

• Foreclosure proceedings
• Divorce cases where the house is being fought over
• Estate disputes between family members
• Contractor liens that have escalated to lawsuits
• Boundary disputes with neighbors
• Title defects that need court resolution

Here in Flint, where property values are still recovering and many homes have complex ownership histories, lis pendens filings are more common than you might think. According to recent Genesee County court records, there were over 400 lis pendens filings in 2025, with foreclosure cases making up about 60% of those filings.

How Lis Pendens Affects Your Ability to Sell

Here's where it gets serious for Flint homeowners. Once a lis pendens is filed on your property, selling becomes complicated. Not impossible, but complicated.

The lis pendens creates what we call a "cloud on title." Any potential buyer who runs a title search will see this filing and know your property is tied up in court. Most traditional buyers will run away faster than you can say "mortgage approval." Even cash buyers will think twice.

I had a homeowner call me last week from the East Village area. She inherited her grandmother's house but didn't know there was a contractor's lien from 2019 that had turned into a lawsuit. The lis pendens was filed six months ago, and she had three different real estate agents tell her the house was "unsellable" until the court case was resolved.

But here's what those agents didn't tell her: there are investors and companies like HOMESELL USA who specialize in exactly these situations. We buy houses with lis pendens filings all the time because we understand how to navigate the legal complexities.

The Real Risk: Losing Your Equity

This is the part that breaks my heart. I see Flint homeowners who could have walked away with cash in their pocket, but they waited too long or got bad advice.

Let's say you own a house in the Carriage Town Historic District worth $75,000. You owe $45,000 on your mortgage. That's $30,000 in equity that belongs to you. But if a lis pendens leads to a forced sale or foreclosure, you might lose all of that equity.

With Flint's median home price sitting around $65,000 as of early 2026, and many neighborhoods showing steady improvement, that equity represents real money that families need. In areas like the Cultural Center or Near Northside, where property values have increased 15-20% over the past two years, homeowners have even more equity at stake.

Your Options When Facing a Lis Pendens in Flint

Don't panic, but don't wait either. You've got several paths forward:

Option 1: Fight the Underlying Case

If the lawsuit has no merit, hire an attorney and fight it. But understand that legal battles take time and money, and your house stays tied up until it's resolved.

Option 2: Settle the Dispute

Sometimes paying off a debt or reaching a settlement agreement will get the lis pendens removed. This works well for contractor liens or smaller disputes.

Option 3: Sell to an Investor

This is often the fastest way to protect your equity. Experienced investors like HOMESELL USA can buy your house even with a lis pendens, handle the legal complications, and get you cash quickly.

I've helped dozens of Flint families in this exact situation. We work with attorneys to clear the title issues as part of the purchase process. You get your equity, avoid the stress of lengthy court proceedings, and move on with your life.

Special Considerations for Flint Properties

Flint has some unique challenges that make lis pendens situations more complex. Many properties in the city have:

• Multiple ownership changes due to tax foreclosures
• Title issues from the city's financial crisis
• Incomplete or missing documentation from property transfers
• Liens related to water line replacements and city assessments

The good news is that Genesee County has streamlined many of their processes, and the city's Land Bank has helped clean up thousands of problem properties. But if you're dealing with a lis pendens on top of these existing challenges, you need someone who understands both the legal system and Flint's specific property landscape.

Time Is Your Enemy

I can't stress this enough: if you've received notice of a lis pendens filing, time is not on your side. In Michigan, some legal proceedings can move quickly, especially foreclosures.

The average foreclosure timeline in Michigan runs about 60-90 days from start to finish. If you're facing foreclosure and there's already a lis pendens filed, you might have weeks, not months, to protect your equity.

Even non-foreclosure cases can drag on for months or years, during which time you can't sell through traditional channels. Meanwhile, you're still responsible for mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and maintenance on a house you can't freely sell.

How We Handle Lis Pendens Properties

At HOMESELL USA, we've bought hundreds of properties with lis pendens filings across Michigan. Here's typically how it works:

First, we review all the court documents to understand exactly what we're dealing with. Then we calculate what the property is worth and what it will cost to clear the title issues. We make you a fair cash offer that accounts for these complications but still puts money in your pocket.

We handle all the legal work through our network of experienced real estate attorneys. Whether it's paying off liens, negotiating settlements, or working through court procedures, we take care of the headaches so you don't have to.

The whole process usually takes 2-4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the case. Compare that to months or years of uncertainty if you try to resolve everything before selling.

Don't Let Lis Pendens Scare You

Look, I get it. Legal documents are intimidating, especially when your house is involved. But a lis pendens isn't the end of the world. It's a problem that can be solved, and in most cases, you can still walk away with your equity intact.

The key is acting quickly and getting the right advice. Don't let well-meaning friends or family members who don't understand real estate law convince you to "wait it out" or "fight it yourself." And definitely don't trust anyone who says your house is worthless because of a lis pendens.

Whether you sell to us or someone else, here's what you need to know: your equity has value, and there are people who specialize in exactly these complicated situations. You just need to find them before time runs out.

If any of this sounds like your situation, give Uncle Charles a call. I've been helping Flint families navigate these exact problems for years. No pressure, no judgment — just straight answers about your options and what your house is really worth, lis pendens and all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Lis Pendens in Flint

Q: How do I know if there's a lis pendens filed on my property in Flint?

A: You can search Genesee County's public records online, or you might receive notification if you're a party to the lawsuit. Property owners are typically served with legal papers, but it's worth checking county records if you suspect there might be a filing.

Q: Can I still sell my house in Flint if there's a lis pendens on it?

A: Yes, but it's complicated. Traditional buyers and their lenders will usually avoid properties with lis pendens. However, cash investors who specialize in distressed properties can buy your house and handle the legal complications as part of the transaction.

Q: How long does a lis pendens stay on my property in Michigan?

A: A lis pendens remains in effect until the underlying lawsuit is resolved or dismissed. This could be weeks, months, or even years depending on the complexity of the case. However, you can request removal if the case is resolved or if the filing was improper.

Q: Will a lis pendens hurt my credit score?

A: The lis pendens filing itself doesn't directly impact your credit score since it's a court filing, not a credit account. However, the underlying issue (like missed mortgage payments leading to foreclosure) will likely affect your credit.

Q: What's the difference between a lis pendens and a foreclosure in Flint?

A: A lis pendens is just a notice that legal action is pending involving your property. Foreclosure is one type of legal action that might result in a lis pendens filing. Not all lis pendens filings are foreclosures, but most foreclosure cases will have a lis pendens filed.