Property Tax Lien

When property taxes go unpaid, the government places a lien on the property that must be cleared before it can be sold, and in some states the lien can be sold to investors or lead to a tax sale.

Appealing your assessment lowers what you owe going forward, but it doesn’t erase an existing lien. If you’re disputing value and facing a lien, pay under protest where allowed so you preserve your appeal without risking the property.