How to Sell a Florida Home with Title Issues

What Florida Sellers Need to Know When Title Problems Pop Up

Selling a home in Florida should feel like a fresh start, a clean break, a step forward. But sometimes, things get tangled—like when you find out there’s a title issue that could delay your sale or even scare off buyers entirely.

Here’s the good news: you can still sell a Florida home with title problems. Whether it’s a lien, a dispute over ownership, or a cloud on title, there are ways to fix it—or work around it—without losing your buyer or momentum.

904 Home Buyer had helped plenty of folks deal with tricky title situations. And spoiler alert: most of the time, it’s not nearly as bad as it sounds.



Let’s break it down, piece by piece, so you know what to expect—and how to move forward with confidence.

What Exactly Is a Title Issue?

Think of a home’s title like its official résumé. It shows who owns it, if there are debts attached, or if anyone else has a legal interest in the property. If anything on that résumé looks suspicious, lenders and buyers will hit the brakes.

Common title issues in Florida include:

• Liens from unpaid taxes, contractors, or credit cards
  
• Judgment liens from lawsuits
  
• Probate complications, especially if the property was inherited
  
• Boundary disputes with neighbors
  
• Unreleased mortgages that were paid off but never recorded
  
• Clerical errors or missing paperwork from past sales



Any of these can delay or block a sale. But they don’t have to stop it completely.

Can You Sell a House with Title Issues?

In short: yes. But how you sell depends on the type of issue and how quickly you want—or need—to close.

Traditional buyers, especially those using mortgage financing, usually won’t touch a property with unresolved title problems. Lenders require clean title before funding the deal. So if you’re thinking of listing with an agent, expect delays and potential deal breakers.



On the flip side, cash home buyers in Florida, like 904 Home Buyer, have more flexibility. Cash sales don’t rely on bank approval, which means we can work with your title company or attorney to clear up the issue or take it as-is, depending on the situation.

Let’s walk through some of the more common problems—and how to solve them.

Selling a Home with a Lien

Liens are one of the most common title hurdles. Whether it’s for unpaid property taxes, a contractor’s bill, or even child support, a lien is basically a red flag that someone else has a legal claim to your property.

How to handle it:

• Request a title search to see exactly what’s owed.
  
• Contact the lienholder to negotiate or pay it off.
  
• If funds are tight, use proceeds from the sale to settle the lien at closing.
  
• Work with a buyer (like us) who understands how to structure the sale around the lien.

Real example: A couple in Palm Coast had two outstanding liens—one from unpaid taxes, another from a roofing contractor. Instead of listing the home and risking delays, they sold to 904 Home Buyer. We coordinated with the title company, used sale proceeds to pay both liens at closing, and they walked away with cash in hand, no strings attached.

Title Disputes and Ownership Confusion

Sometimes multiple people claim ownership of a property—or someone passed away without a will and left everything in legal limbo. This kind of title issue is called a “cloud on title,” and it can take time to resolve.

How to handle it:

• If it’s an inheritance or probate issue, consult with a probate attorney.
  
• For disputes, a quiet title action (a legal process to confirm ownership) may be required.
  
• Provide any wills, death certificates, or prior deeds that clarify ownership.



It may sound messy, but a skilled title company and buyer who understands these situations can still move quickly. We’ve helped sellers in Jacksonville close probate properties in under 30 days when most agents would’ve walked away.

Clerical Errors and Unreleased Mortgages

Believe it or not, some title issues boil down to pure paperwork errors. A mortgage paid off years ago might still show as open. Or a notary forgot to stamp something. These issues don’t always mean money is owed—but they still need cleaning up before closing.

How to handle it:

• Have your title company identify the error.
  
• File a satisfaction of mortgage or other corrective documents.
  
• Lean on professionals who can guide you through the fix.



These are usually minor delays—days or weeks, not months—and shouldn’t stop a deal altogether. Especially if you’re working with a buyer that’s not rigid about timelines.

Legal Options for Sellers

If you're stuck with a serious title issue, don’t panic. Florida law provides several ways to fix it:

• Quiet title action – great for ownership disputes
  
• Lien negotiations – some creditors will accept partial payments
  
• Probate filings – if someone passed away without transferring title
  
• Title insurance – may cover some title defects from prior owners



The key is acting quickly and choosing a buyer who knows how to work around these bumps in the road.

The Benefits of Working with a Cash Buyer

Traditional buyers want perfection. Cash buyers? They want solutions.

Here’s why working with a company like 904 Home Buyer can save the day:

• Faster closings – even with minor title defects
  
• Willing to buy as-is, with or without repairs
  
• Flexible with lien payoffs at closing
  
• Legal and title experience to navigate issues smoothly
  
• No commissions or fees, which helps offset lien costs



We’ve seen it all. A seller in St. Augustine came to us with a home tangled in an old divorce decree. Title was split between two people who hadn’t spoken in years. We connected both parties with a real estate attorney, helped mediate the paperwork, and bought the home within three weeks. Everyone got paid. No one lost sleep.

What Should You Do Next?

If you know—or even suspect—your Florida home has a title issue, don’t wait until you’ve got a buyer lined up. Here’s your game plan:

1. Order a title search – Find out exactly what’s on record.
   
2. Talk to a local title company – They can explain your legal path.
   
3. Contact a cash buyer – Find out if they can help you sell fast and clean.



Remember, title problems aren’t the end of the world. They’re just bumps in the road. With the right team behind you, they can be handled quietly and quickly—so you can move on with your life.

Closing Thoughts

Selling a home with title issues doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Whether you’re dealing with liens, inheritance complications, or old paperwork mistakes, there’s a path forward—and you don’t have to walk it alone.

904 Home Buyer helps Florida homeowners sell fast, even with complex title challenges. We work directly with title companies and legal pros to make sure the sale happens smoothly—and on your timeline.



Get in touch today to see how we can help you close the chapter on title trouble and move forward with cash in hand.