Liens and judgments
A lien is a recorded claim against property. A judgment is a court decision that someone owes money.
They can sit on the record and stall a sale
A mechanics lien is a contractor’s claim for unpaid work. A judgment can be recorded so it follows property the defendant owns. Tax claims can do the same.
A buyer’s lender will usually want those claims released or explained before a sale or a refinance closes. That is what people mean by a cloud on title: something on the record that a later buyer or lender will not ignore.
What to do
- If a lien names work you did not hire, do not pay a stranger who calls and offers to “clear it” for a fee. Call the recorder and a real estate lawyer.
- A same-name judgment may belong to someone else. The report should say when the hit is name-only.