Property tax liens in New Jersey accrue fast and can lead to tax foreclosure. We buy homes with back taxes, municipal liens, and water/sewer arrears — and handle everything at closing.
New Jersey has some of the highest property taxes in the nation, and falling behind can create a cascading financial crisis. When property taxes go unpaid, the municipality conducts an annual tax lien certificate sale — typically held between October and December. At this sale, investors bid on the right to collect the delinquent taxes plus interest. The winning bidder receives a tax lien certificate, and the property owner now owes that investor rather than the municipality.
Once a tax lien certificate is sold, the property owner enters a redemption period during which they can pay off the lien plus interest (which can run as high as 18% annually) and penalties. If the owner fails to redeem within the statutory period — generally two years, though it can be shorter under New Jersey's accelerated tax sale program for properties with chronically delinquent taxes — the lien holder can initiate a tax foreclosure action to take ownership of the property.
Beyond property taxes, New Jersey municipalities can also place liens for unpaid water and sewer charges, code enforcement fines, and special assessments. These municipal liens carry the same weight as tax liens and can also be sold at the annual tax sale. For homeowners who have fallen behind on multiple obligations, the total amount owed can grow quickly to tens of thousands of dollars.
Selling a property with outstanding tax liens through traditional channels is difficult. Most buyers relying on mortgage financing cannot close on a property with unresolved liens, and the title company will require all liens to be satisfied before issuing clear title. This creates a catch-22 for homeowners who cannot afford to pay off the liens but cannot sell without doing so.
As cash buyers, we solve this problem directly. We purchase the property and all outstanding tax liens, municipal liens, and water/sewer arrears are paid from the closing proceeds through the title company. You do not need to come out of pocket to clear the liens first. We factor the lien amounts into our offer and handle all the payoff coordination, so you can sell and move on without the threat of tax foreclosure hanging over you.
When you reach out to us about a property with back taxes, the first thing we do is research the full extent of the liens. We pull tax records, check for municipal liens, and identify any other encumbrances on the title. This gives us a clear picture of what needs to be satisfied at closing and allows us to make you a fair, transparent offer.
Our offer accounts for all outstanding obligations, and we walk you through exactly how the proceeds will be distributed. At closing, the title company pays off all liens directly, and you receive the remaining balance. There are no hidden fees, no agent commissions, and no last-minute surprises.
If you are already in the tax foreclosure process, time is especially critical. We can close quickly to help you preserve whatever equity remains in the property before a foreclosure judgment is entered.
Fill out the form or call us with the property address and your situation.
We review and deliver a fair, no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours.
Accept and close in as little as 7 days — or whenever you're ready.