Liens — Claims Against Property

A lien is a legal claim against a property that must be satisfied before title can be transferred free and clear.

Voluntary liens: Owner consents to the lien.

Mortgage / Deed of Trust — borrower pledges property as loan collateral

Involuntary liens: Imposed without owner's consent.

Property tax lien — highest priority

Mechanic's lien — contractors/subcontractors unpaid for work

Judgment lien — court judgment becomes lien on all property

IRS tax lien — federal tax debt

Lien priority — General rule: "First in time, first in right"

Recorded first = highest priority (except property taxes always take first priority)

Priority order: Property taxes → Recorded mortgage → Subsequent liens

Lis pendens: Notice that a lawsuit has been filed affecting the property. Clouds the title until resolved.

Subordination agreement: A lien holder agrees to have their lien subordinated (bumped down in priority) to another lien.

Reference:

Wikipedia: Lien

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lien