Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Texas
Delinquent Property Taxes
I am currently purchasing a home located in a neighborhood that is located on lot 7. The garage and workshop that were built with the home are on lot 6. The same person owns lot 4,5,6, and 8. The home on lot 7 was also owned by them, but I believe was foreclosed on and sold. They are delinquent on their property and school taxes, since 1999, on the lots that they still own. The county attorney told me that we can pay the back taxes on the property and obtain them, but not with a clear title. I just need some advice as to what we should do, or what is the law on this. The county has not taken any action on the properties.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Delinquent Property Taxes
From whom are you purchasing the lots? The owner or the county? My suggestion is that you hire a real estate attorney in the county where the property is located. This is not something to do by yourself. Additionally, you need to involve a title company, so they can assist you in determine the problems with the title. My suspicion is that there are tax liens on the property. If that is the case, then you need to speak with the county attorney to have those liens paid from the proceeds of the sale. The title company and real estate attorney should also be able to point out any other title defects, and offer remedies to fix them.