Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways Act Fast: A lis pendens freezes normal selling options but doesn't eliminate all choices — time is critical to protect your equity Cash Buyers Are Your Best Option: Traditional financing won't work with active lis pendens, but experienced cash investors can close quickly despite title issues Equity Protection Matters: With High Point home values around $185,000 median, many homeowners have significant equity worth fighting to preserve Avoid Scams: Be wary of anyone demanding upfront fees to resolve lis pendens issues — legitimate help doesn't require money up front

Lis Pendens in High Point, NC: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know Before It's Too Late

Look, I get a call at least twice a week from homeowners in High Point who just discovered something called a "lis pendens" has been filed on their property. The panic in their voice is real — and for good reason. This legal notice can completely freeze your ability to sell your home through traditional channels.

I'm Uncle Charles from HOMESELL USA, and I've been helping North Carolina homeowners navigate these exact situations for years. Whether you're facing foreclosure in High Point's Emerywood neighborhood or dealing with title issues near the Furniture District, I've seen it all. Let me break down exactly what a lis pendens means for your property and your options.

What Exactly Is a Lis Pendens?

In plain English, "lis pendens" is Latin for "pending lawsuit." It's a public notice filed in Guilford County records that tells the world there's an active legal dispute involving your property. Think of it as a big red flag that warns potential buyers: "Hold up — this property has legal problems."

Here's the deal: when a lender files for foreclosure on your High Point home, they typically file a lis pendens as one of their first moves. But foreclosure isn't the only reason you might see one of these. I've helped homeowners dealing with lis pendens filed because of:

• Foreclosure proceedings
• Divorce disputes over property ownership
• Contract disputes with buyers or contractors
• Boundary line disagreements with neighbors
• Mechanic's liens that escalated to lawsuits
• Estate disputes in probate cases

High Point's Current Real Estate Climate Makes This Worse

Based on recent market data, High Point's median home value has increased to approximately $185,000 as of early 2024, with homes typically selling within 45-60 days in normal circumstances. But here's what makes a lis pendens particularly painful right now: with property values rising in neighborhoods like Emerywood and West End, homeowners have real equity to protect.

I had a homeowner call me last month from the Kirkwood neighborhood. His house was worth about $220,000, but he owed $160,000 on his mortgage. That's $60,000 in equity — serious money. But because of the lis pendens from his foreclosure case, traditional buyers and their lenders wouldn't touch the deal. He was watching his equity evaporate while legal fees piled up.

The High Point housing market has shown resilience, but a lis pendens puts you in a completely different category. You're no longer competing with regular home sales — you're in distressed property territory.

How a Lis Pendens Kills Your Normal Selling Options

Let's be straight about this: once a lis pendens is filed, your traditional selling options basically disappear. Here's why:

Title Companies Won't Touch It

Most title companies in Guilford County won't issue title insurance on a property with an active lis pendens. No title insurance means no mortgage loans, and no mortgage loans means 95% of potential buyers can't purchase your home.

Real Estate Agents Struggle

Even well-meaning realtors in High Point often don't understand how to handle lis pendens situations. They'll list your property, but when buyers' attorneys see that filing in the public records, deals fall apart fast.

Time Is Working Against You

Every day that lis pendens sits there, you're accumulating more legal fees, more interest, and potentially more equity loss. In North Carolina, foreclosure proceedings can move relatively quickly once they start.

Protecting Your Equity: Your Real Options

Here's what you need to understand: having a lis pendens doesn't mean you're out of options. But your options are different, and time matters.

Option 1: Resolve the Underlying Legal Issue

If you can resolve whatever caused the lis pendens — pay off the foreclosure, settle the dispute, resolve the divorce — you can get it removed. But this often requires money and time you might not have.

Option 2: Sell to a Cash Investor

This is where companies like HOMESELL USA come in. We specialize in buying properties with exactly these kinds of problems. We can close quickly, handle the legal complications, and get you whatever equity remains before it's gone.

I've closed deals in High Point with active lis pendens dozens of times. We work directly with attorneys, handle the title issues, and can often close in 2-3 weeks. Whether you sell to us or another legitimate cash buyer, this might be your best path to protecting some equity.

Option 3: Fight It in Court

If the lis pendens was filed improperly or you have strong legal grounds, you can petition the court to have it removed. But this takes time, money for attorneys, and there's no guarantee of success.

Red Flags and Scams to Avoid

Unfortunately, homeowners facing lis pendens are targets for scams. I've seen it too many times in the High Point area. Watch out for:

• Anyone asking for upfront fees to "remove" the lis pendens
• Companies promising to stop foreclosure for a monthly fee
• Buyers who want you to deed the property to them while they "work things out"
• Anyone pressuring you to sign immediately without letting you review documents

What to Do Right Now

If you've just discovered a lis pendens on your High Point property, here's your action plan:

Step 1: Get a copy of the actual filing from the Guilford County Register of Deeds. Understand exactly what legal action triggered it.

Step 2: Calculate your equity position. What's your home worth versus what you owe? This determines how aggressively you should fight to save it.

Step 3: Consult with both an attorney AND a distressed property specialist like HOMESELL USA. You need to understand both your legal options and your selling options.

Step 4: Act quickly. The longer you wait, the more equity you lose to legal fees and accumulating debt.

The Bottom Line on High Point Lis Pendens

Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat this: a lis pendens is serious business. It's not something you can ignore or hope goes away. But it's also not automatically the end of the world if you act quickly and work with people who understand these situations.

I've helped hundreds of North Carolina homeowners navigate exactly this scenario. Some were able to resolve their legal issues and keep their homes. Others sold to us and walked away with significant cash instead of losing everything to foreclosure. The key is understanding your options and acting while you still have them.

Whether you're in Emerywood, West End, or anywhere else in the High Point area, don't let a lis pendens freeze you into inaction. Your equity is on the line, and every day counts.

If any of this sounds like your situation, give Uncle Charles a call at HOMESELL USA. No pressure, no judgment — just straight answers about your options and what we can do to help protect whatever equity you have left. We've seen it all, and we're here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Lis Pendens in High Point, NC

How long does a lis pendens stay on my High Point property?

A lis pendens remains on your property records until the underlying legal case is resolved or dismissed. In foreclosure cases, this could be anywhere from 3-12 months depending on how you respond and whether you fight the action.

Can I still sell my house if there's a lis pendens filed?

Yes, but your options are limited. Traditional buyers with financing can't usually purchase properties with active lis pendens due to title insurance issues. However, cash buyers who specialize in distressed properties can still close these deals.

Does a lis pendens automatically mean I'll lose my house?

No, a lis pendens is just notice of a pending legal action. You still have time to resolve the underlying issue, whether that's catching up on mortgage payments, settling a dispute, or selling the property to protect your equity.

How do I find out if there's a lis pendens on my High Point property?

Check the Guilford County Register of Deeds records, which are available online. You can search by your name or property address. You should also receive official notice if one is filed, but it's worth checking if you're behind on payments or involved in property disputes.

What's the difference between a lis pendens and a foreclosure?

A lis pendens is just the public notice that legal action has been started. Foreclosure is the actual legal process. Think of lis pendens as the warning flag — foreclosure is the bulldozer. You typically have months between the lis pendens filing and any actual foreclosure sale.