purchase, contact the lienholder and request that it endorse the lien for cancelation and give it directly to you fo r fi ling. Make a copy of the document and take the original to the clerk for cancellation. With a clear title, you’re free to sell your property. Once you receive the funds from the property sale, you can move forward with the new purchase. To ensure this new transaction goes smoothly, perform a lien search on the property you’re buying. Th is will alert you to any potential obstacles before taking possession. States may impose liens on homes when property owners fail to pay their real estate taxes. Th e homeowner must pay this new lienholder to obtain a lien release form, and then continue with the sale of the home. NEED FOR SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE Th e process of selling a home is both an emotional and fin ancial investment. Th e homeowner who decides to sell a house by himself will fin d himself dealing with many unfamiliar processes, and mistakes may erase the bene fi t of selling (i.e., you might end up getting a very bad deal). Th e best advice is to leave the nuances to the professionals and hire an agent. Choosing the right person to help in the process can ensure a smooth fl ow that will lead to the road t o fin ancial freedom. Any good real estate agent might have all the knowledge and skill required to sell and buy homes; however, might lack the necessary skills needed to sell a house that’s in distress and entangled with tax liens, code violations, mortgage loans, or lacking equity appeal. Dealing with a house with such issues requires special skills usually not taught in agent licensing education. Th e transactions are complex, and there are unique risks involved. Ask real estate 113
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