Trying to sell a house — only to find out there’s a title problem standing in your way? Whether it’s a lien, missing paperwork, an inheritance issue, or something else, title defects can delay or derail a home sale fast.

In Virginia, these problems are more common than you think — especially with older properties, inherited homes, or rental houses that haven’t been updated legally in years.

In this 2025 seller’s guide, we’ll show you how to sell a house with title issues in Virginia — and how The Cash Offer Company helps homeowners clear obstacles and close quickly, even when others walk away.

What Counts as a Title Problem?

Title issues occur when the ownership history or legal documentation of a property isn’t clean — meaning the seller doesn’t have full and undisputed rights to transfer it. Common title defects in Virginia include:

• Unpaid liens: mortgage, tax, HOA, contractor/mechanic’s liens
• Inheritance issues: property is still in a deceased relative’s name
• Probate delays: estate hasn’t been settled
• Divorce complications: one spouse won’t sign or won’t be found
• Boundary or easement disputes with neighbors or the city
• Judgment liens: personal debts or lawsuits attached to the property
• Missing deeds or errors in the chain of title

These problems can prevent you from closing — unless you resolve them or work with a buyer who knows how to navigate them.

How Title Problems Stop Traditional Sales

If you’re listing your home with an agent or selling to a buyer using a loan, title issues almost always cause delays or cancellations.

• Title companies won’t insure properties with unresolved defects
• Lenders require a clean title to fund mortgages
• Agents and buyers may walk away if a title issue shows up in the search

Even small errors (misspelled names, missing heirs, old second mortgages) can cause weeks of delay — or force the deal to fall apart.

Virginia Title Transfer Basics

To legally sell a home in Virginia, you need:

• Clear ownership documented in the deed
• No active liens (unless paid at closing)
• All necessary parties (heirs, ex-spouses, co-owners) to sign closing documents
• A title search and title insurance policy

These requirements are enforced by your closing attorney or title company. If anything is missing, the sale will pause until it’s resolved — unless you’re working with a buyer who can help clear it for you.

Can You Still Sell a House With Title Problems?

Yes — but not to every buyer.

You may be able to resolve the title issue before closing, or sell the home as-is to a cash buyer who’s willing to take the title “subject to” or delay closing while helping fix it.

You can usually sell if:

• The issue can be resolved with paperwork, payoffs, or affidavits
• All owners are willing to sign
• A motivated buyer is willing to work through the process with you

At The Cash Offer Company, we’ve helped dozens of sellers in Virginia close on homes with open liens, probate delays, and missing documents.

When to Fix the Title — vs. Sell As-Is

Fix It First If:

• You want to list the property traditionally with an agent
• You’re targeting financed buyers who need clean title insurance
• You’re working with a title company or closing attorney willing to help

Sell As-Is If:

• You can’t afford to pay off liens or back taxes
• Heirs are missing or uncooperative
• You’ve inherited a home and probate is unresolved
• You’re tired of delays or buyer walkaways

We Help Solve Title Problems in Virginia

When you sell to The Cash Offer Company, we work with local attorneys and title agents to help resolve:

• Back taxes, liens, or judgments
• HOA disputes or unpaid dues
• Probate-related ownership issues
• Clouded deeds and missing documentation
• Unknown heirs or relatives with legal interest

You won’t need to pay for title search fees or legal help — we handle that as part of the purchase process.

Real Title Problems We’ve Helped Solve

• Richmond home with two unpaid mortgages from the 1990s
• Henrico property tied up in probate for 3 years — we worked with the attorney to close
• Chester house with contractor liens and an open permit violation
• Inherited house in Petersburg where one heir lived out of state and didn’t want to sign

We buy homes in these conditions every week — and we never require you to fix them first.

Where We Buy in Virginia

• Richmond and surrounding neighborhoods like Church Hill, Jackson Ward, Northside, and Forest Hill
• Chester, Henrico, and Midlothian
• Powhatan, Ashland, Petersburg

FAQs: Selling a House With Title Issues in Virginia

Can I sell a house that’s still in my parent’s name?

Yes — but you’ll likely need to go through probate or provide alternative documentation. We can help with that process.

Can I sell if my ex-spouse won’t sign?

It depends. If they’re still on the deed, they have legal rights. We can often help negotiate or find legal options to move forward.

Do I need title insurance to sell my house?

No — but the buyer will. If the title can’t be insured, most buyers can’t proceed. We work with attorneys to close without traditional insurance when needed.

Can you buy a house with open liens or judgments?

Yes. We can negotiate liens, use proceeds to pay them off at closing, or buy subject to the existing issues.

Why Work With The Cash Offer Company?

We’re a local, family-run company that buys houses across Virginia — especially ones that are hard to sell. If title problems are slowing you down, we’ll step in with:

• Fast cash offers — no commissions or fees
• Help with legal, probate, or document issues
• Flexible closing — 7 days or whenever you’re ready
• Experienced title partners who’ve seen every issue before

Take the Next Step

Facing title problems but still need to sell? Contact The Cash Offer Company today. We’ll make you a fair offer, walk you through the process, and help you close — even if there’s a lien, lawsuit, or heir no one can find.

Contact Information

The Cash Offer Company
Phone: 804-215-4004
Email: info@thecashoffercompany.com
Website: https://www.thecashoffercompany.com/

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal or title advice. For questions about liens, probate, or ownership, consult a licensed attorney in Virginia.