TitleHomebuying Glossary
Lien
A legal claim against a property, usually securing an unpaid debt, that must be resolved before a sale.
In plain English
A lien gives a creditor a legal right to a property until a debt is paid — common examples include a mortgage lien, a tax lien for unpaid property taxes, or a contractor's lien for unpaid renovation work.
Why it matters
Liens generally must be paid off at or before closing — a title search is how these get identified so they don't become your problem after you buy.
Related terms
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