Property Liens: Potential Roadblocks to Your Home Sale

Written By Shannon Lindstrom

One of the most common reasons a home sale falls through is the presence of property liens. Often, sellers are unaware of these liens, and the time required to resolve them can cause qualified buyers to look elsewhere.

To avoid such delays, sellers should order a title search as part of their pre-listing tasks, alongside repairs and curb appeal projects. While some liens, like mortgage liens, are expected and ensure that any home loan is paid off at closing, other liens can come as a surprise. Here are a few types of liens that can derail your closing:

  • Mechanics Lien: Contractors may place a mechanics lien on your home to ensure they are paid after completing a project.

  • Divorce Lien: Even if you and your spouse agree on the sale, the court may need to approve the sale before the lien can be removed.

  • Homeowner’s Association Lien: Past due HOA payments and assessments can lead to a lien on the property.

  • IRS and Property Tax Liens: These are government claims against your property due to unpaid taxes.

  • Judgment Liens: A court ruling that gives a creditor the right to take possession of your property if you fail to meet your contractual obligations.

  • Credit Card Liens: If you default on a credit card and the issuer obtains a judgment, they can attach a lien to your property.

Liens will need to be resolved before a home can change ownership. While some lienholders may negotiate payment, others might demand full payment before releasing the hold. Dealing with liens can be time-consuming and costly, so it’s always best to address them before listing your home for sale.

If you or someone that you know has real estate questions or wishes to discuss how I can help, please contact Shannon Lindstrom, Realtor® with RE/MAX Results and a MN Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert (CDRE®) serving the Twin Cities/MN at 612-616-9714 or visit www.ShannonLindstromRealtor.com today.

Shannon Lindstrom, Realtor®, CDRE®, CREDS, CRS, GREEN, MILRES, MRP, VCA
RE/MAX Results
7373 Kirkwood Court No, Ste. 300
Maple Grove, MN 55369
Direct: 612-616-9714
Lindstrom_S@msn.com
Shannon@ShannonLindstromRealtor.com
www.ShannonLindstromRealtor.com
www.ShannonLindstrom.info
www.TwinCitiesMilitaryVeteransRealtor.com
www.MNDivorceRealEstateExpert.com

Shannon Lindstrom

Shannon Lindstrom is a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert (CDRE®) and Realtor® with RE/MAX Results who specializes in the sale of residential property in divorce and family law matters throughout Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and surrounding communities across Minnesota. With more than 22 years of residential real estate experience in the Twin Cities, Ms. Lindstrom serves as a trained neutral — not an advocate for either spouse — bringing a disciplined, process-driven approach to what is often the most consequential asset in a divorce.

Ms. Lindstrom earned her CDRE® designation through the Ilumni Institute in 2023, is continuing her training through the CDRE® Master Program, and completed Collaborative Divorce training through the Collaborative Law Institute of Minnesota in 2026. This training equips her to work fluently across litigated, mediated, and collaborative matters—from low-conflict, cooperative sales to high-conflict, court-ordered dispositions—and to integrate seamlessly with attorneys, financial neutrals, mediators, mental health professionals, and the broader divorce team.

Her work is distinguished by three strengths family law professionals consistently rely on: clear, defensible documentation that holds up through negotiation, mediation, and trial; calibrated pricing and listing strategy grounded in current Twin Cities market data and built to withstand opposing scrutiny; and a calm, structured communication protocol that reduces friction between spouses, manages occupancy and showing logistics, and keeps the transaction on the court's timeline rather than the conflict's. Whether a file involves court-ordered sales, delayed cooperation, valuation disputes, or contested listing decisions, she approaches every matter with neutrality, precision, and steady professionalism.

With specialized training in divorce real estate and collaborative methodology, and a reputation for composure under pressure, Ms. Lindstrom is a trusted residential real estate resource for attorneys and divorce professionals handling Minnesota family law matters.

 

 

https://www.MNDivorceRealEstateExpert.com
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