Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways You can sell with title problems: Liens, judgments, and title issues don't prevent a sale — they just need to be handled properly at closing Many liens are negotiable: Judgment creditors often accept less than full amount, especially on older debts, though tax liens typically must be paid in full Cash buyers specialize in problem properties: Companies like HOMESELL USA handle title issues regularly and can close quickly without requiring you to clear liens first Don't ignore the problem: Liens accumulate interest and penalties over time, so addressing the situation sooner rather than later usually results in better outcomes

Selling Your Flint House With Title Issues: Liens, Judgments, and Problem Properties

Look, I've been buying houses in Flint for years, and if there's one thing I know about this city, it's that plenty of properties come with baggage. Tax liens, mechanic's liens, HOA issues, IRS problems — I've seen it all. And here's what most people don't understand: you can still sell your house even when the title isn't squeaky clean.

Just last week, I had a homeowner call me from Flint's East Village neighborhood. She inherited her grandmother's house on Welch Boulevard, but it came with $18,000 in back taxes, a mechanic's lien from roof work, and an old judgment from a credit card company. She thought she was stuck. She wasn't.

What Are Title Issues and Why Do They Matter?

Your property title is basically proof that you own your house. When there are "clouds" on that title — like liens, judgments, or other claims — it means other people or organizations have a legal interest in your property. They get paid before you do when the house sells.

In Flint, with median home values around $65,000 as of early 2026 and a history of economic challenges, title issues are unfortunately common. The city has been working hard on revitalization efforts, but many properties still carry financial baggage from tougher times.

The Most Common Title Problems I See in Flint

Tax Liens

This is the big one in Flint. Genesee County has been aggressive about collecting back taxes, and rightfully so. Property tax liens take priority over almost everything else. If you owe $15,000 in back taxes on a house worth $50,000, you're not walking away with much — but you can still sell.

Current property tax rates in Genesee County run about 3.3% of assessed value, which is high compared to many areas. When people fall behind, it adds up fast.

IRS Federal Tax Liens

The IRS doesn't mess around. When they put a lien on your property, they want their money. But here's what most people don't know: you can often negotiate with the IRS during a sale. They'd rather get something than nothing, and they know a house sitting empty in Flint isn't making them any money.

Mechanic's Liens

Contractors, roofers, plumbers — if they did work and didn't get paid, they can file a mechanic's lien. In Flint, where many homes need significant repairs, this happens more than you'd think. These liens typically expire after a certain period, but while they're active, they need to be dealt with.

Judgment Liens

Credit cards, medical bills, personal loans — when someone sues you and wins, they can attach a lien to your property. These are often negotiable at a fraction of what's owed, especially if the judgment is old.

HOA Liens

Not as common in Flint as in newer suburban areas, but some neighborhoods do have homeowner associations. Fall behind on dues, and they can lien your property.

Your Options When You Have Title Issues

Option 1: Pay Everything Off

If you've got the cash, you can clear all the liens and sell traditionally. But let's be honest — if you had that kind of money, you probably wouldn't be reading this.

Option 2: Negotiate With Lien Holders

Many lien holders will take less than what's owed, especially on older debts. A $10,000 judgment from five years ago? They might take $3,000 to make it go away. It takes time and patience, but it works.

Option 3: Sell to a Cash Buyer Who Handles the Problems

This is where companies like HOMESELL USA come in. We buy houses with title problems all the time. We know how to work with lien holders, negotiate payoffs, and handle the complicated closings. You don't have to figure it all out yourself.

How the Numbers Work in Flint

Let's say you own a house in Flint's Civic Park neighborhood worth $60,000. You've got: - $12,000 in back taxes - $8,000 IRS lien - $3,000 old credit card judgment

That's $23,000 in liens against a $60,000 house. A traditional realtor would tell you to pay everything off first, then list the house. But that assumes you have $23,000 lying around.

A cash buyer might offer $35,000 for the house as-is, handle all the lien negotiations, and close in two weeks. You walk away with $12,000 instead of staying stuck with a problem property.

Is it the maximum possible value? No. But it's real money in your pocket without the headache, legal fees, or months of uncertainty.

Why Flint Properties Need Special Handling

Flint's real estate market is unique. The city has made tremendous progress since the water crisis, with new investment and development projects bringing hope to neighborhoods. The downtown area is seeing revitalization, and some areas like College Cultural and Carriage Town are attracting new residents.

But the reality is that many properties still need work, and traditional buyers often can't get financing for houses that need significant repairs. When you add title issues on top of property condition problems, it becomes a specialized transaction that most realtors aren't equipped to handle.

At HOMESELL USA, we've worked with dozens of Flint homeowners facing exactly these situations. We understand the local market, we know how to deal with Genesee County's tax department, and we've negotiated with every type of lien holder you can imagine.

What to Do Right Now

First, get a copy of your property title. You can request this from a title company or attorney. Know exactly what you're dealing with — what liens exist, how much is owed, and how old they are.

Second, don't ignore the problem. Liens don't just disappear (well, some do after many years, but you don't want to wait that long). The longer you wait, the more interest and penalties add up.

Third, understand your options. Whether you sell to us or someone else, you need to know what's realistic given your situation.

I had another Flint homeowner call me last month from the Eastside. Her ex-husband had put an IRS lien on their old house, and she thought she'd never be able to sell it. We bought it in three weeks, handled all the IRS paperwork, and she got enough money to put a down payment on a clean property in Grand Blanc.

Every situation is different, but there's almost always a solution.

If you're dealing with liens, judgments, or any kind of title issues on your Flint property, give Uncle Charles a call. I've been through this process hundreds of times, and I can usually tell you within five minutes what your realistic options are. No pressure, no judgment — just straight answers about a complicated situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions