Baltimore HUD Homes

Foreclosure Classroom - Lien Priorities - Why it is Important For You to Know?

The lien priorities can be best explained using an example. In simple terms, when you buy a house through financing, the lender puts a lien on the property. It is called a secured loan, because the house is the collateral for the loan. If you, as a homeowner, fail to make the payments, the lender, using a security instrument (mortgage) gets the house back. On one property there can be several liens. Here is the example:

1. There is a first mortgage for $200,000, recorded on 05/01/2005, at 1 PM.

2. There is a second mortgage for $50,000, recorded on 05/01/2005, at 2 PM.

3. There is a judgment for $2,000, recorded on 05/05/2008

4. IRS tax lien for $3,000, recorded on 09/09/2008

5. Property taxes lien for $4,000, recorded on 04/15/2009

The rule of thumb is: First in time, first in place. The first lien is senior to all of the other liens. The second lien is junior to the first, but senior to the rest.

Case #1. If the first lien is foreclosing, all of the junior liens are wiped out. Except one. If there is something left over, the next position lien holder gets paid.

Case #2. If the second lien is foreclosing, they have to take over the first lien. This means that the second lien holder is responsible for paying off the first lien holder. All of the rest are wiped out. Except one.

Now let us discuss the special liens - property tax liens and IRS liens. If property taxes are not paid, they are getting paid first. Keep in mind that property taxes have priority over everything. Does not matter when the lien was recorded. This is the reason why at a property tax foreclosure all of the liens are wiped out. All of them! Except one.

Here we are talking about the IRS lien. This is the great exception. IRS lien is never wiped out like the rest. If there is still equity in the house, the IRS has the right of redemption. They have 120 days to redeem the property and satisfy their lien. IRS rarely does it, but it is possible to happen.

The lien holders still can pursue their unpaid debt. It is called a deficiency judgment. They can collect their debt as an unsecured loan depending on the state laws. Do you think that the lien holders have a good chance of collecting their debt under a deficiency judgment (their status is as low as a credit card loan)? You are right. Of course not. That is why they rarely do it.

And now if you want to learn more and get a free help, visit online ForeclosureAid101.com.

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From Margarita Slavkov - the foreclosure guru ForeclosureAid101.com

Article Source: Margarita Slavkova