good afternoon terri.......i agree on one point with the previous comment but not both......if the home you are buying or the seller of the home has a tax lien.....it would have to be paid at closing or prior to like any other lien...if you have the tax lien......it is subordinate to a purchase money mortgage...(but not a refi)..you could not close conventionally..it would have to close either va or best shot is fha......best regards...bob mcclure..mortgage now farmington, michigan (248) 974-4444..there are a lot of title co's that don't know that.......

Terri
Do you mean the home has a tax lien or you do? If the home has a tax lien it will have to be paid prior to settlement and the seller will have to have the funds to do this. If you have a tax lien than that usually shows on your title report and it will also need to be paid. Best to check with your lender if you have the lien; they can best advise you.
Mary

Hi Terri...... you will need to clear up this tax lien before you will be approved by an underwriter for a loan. Lenders are very skittish at the moment due to the extreme amount of foreclosures. Lenders, including FHA, are currently looking under every rock to find a reason to deny a loan. Talk to a realtor and a mortgage broker in your area, and together they will work with you to get you on track to pre-approval and the purchase of your home.

Sorry...I should have been more clear. We owe taxes and have a tax lien against us.

not difficult at all, regardless how it is paid, the tax must be paid before the sale.

Pay the tax, get the house