Can I sell a house with title problems?

Often, yes, but it depends on the problem. Some issues, like an old mortgage that was paid off but never released, can sometimes be cleared as part of the closing, while others take more time or legal work. Send us what you know and we'll tell you what we see.

What is a cloud on title?

A cloud on title is anything in the public records that raises a question about who owns the property or what's owed against it, such as an unreleased lien, a missing heir or a deed error. It can keep a title company from insuring the sale until it's resolved. We evaluate these situations and, when needed, coordinate with title companies and real estate attorneys.

How do you sell a house when the owner died and the deed is still in their name?

Someone usually has to get legal authority first, often through probate, before the house can be sold with clean title. Every family's situation is different. We can evaluate the house and coordinate with your attorney or a title company on what it would take to close.

Can you sell a house with missing or uncooperative heirs?

Sometimes. When an heir can't be found or won't sign, there may be legal steps that let a sale move forward, but they take time and an attorney's help. We can look at the situation, coordinate with the title company and attorneys involved, and tell you honestly whether it's something we can take on.

Do you provide legal help with title problems?

No. MarKey Home Buyers isn't a law firm and doesn't give legal advice or representation, and not every title problem can be resolved. What we can do is evaluate the situation, coordinate with title companies and real estate attorneys when needed, and tell you plainly whether we can make an offer.

Sell My House Fast Houston, TX | Cash Offer

Houston moves fast, but selling a house that needs work, is tied up in an estate or comes with a deadline is a different story. Listing usually means repairs, showings and waiting on a buyer's loan. Selling to us means one conversation, a cash offer and a closing date you pick.

MarKey Home Buyers buys houses across Texas, including all over Houston and Harris County. We're based in Atlanta, and we buy directly from owners, as-is, with no agent fees or commissions.

Why Houston homeowners sell to MarKey

No repairs or cleanup. Water damage, foundation trouble, an old roof or a house full of belongings. You leave it as-is.
A date that fits your life. Close quickly if you need to, or take more time to move.
Cash, not a loan. No waiting on a buyer's mortgage approval or an appraisal that comes in short.
Nothing taken off the top. We don't charge commissions, and we pay typical closing costs.

Situations we help Houston sellers with

A notice on the door or a sale date coming up (facing foreclosure), or a loan that's behind on payments
A house going through probate, or one you inherited and don't want to manage
A cloudy deed or other title problems
Years of unpaid property taxes or liens
Open city code violations or a house that needs major repairs
A rental that's become a headache (tired landlord)
Selling during a divorce, or a listing that expired and never sold

We can't make every situation work. What we can do is look at yours closely and tell you plainly whether we can help.

Houston specifics

Houston is the county seat of Harris County, and nearly all of the city sits inside it (small parts reach into Fort Bend and Montgomery counties). Here's where the local pieces of a hard sale usually happen.

Foreclosure sales: Harris County holds its sales on the first Tuesday of the month at the Bayou City Event Center, 9401 Knight Road, not at the courthouse. Notices of trustee sale are filed and posted with the Harris County Clerk 21 days before the auction.
Probate: Estates are heard by the Harris County Probate Courts, five courts numbered 1 through 5, all in downtown Houston.
Property taxes: The Harris County Tax Office, run by the county Tax Assessor-Collector, handles tax bills, delinquent accounts and installment payment plans.
Code enforcement: The city's Community Code Enforcement division, formerly Inspections and Public Service under the Department of Neighborhoods, has moved to Houston Public Works.

Have a sale date, a probate case or a letter from the city? Send it along with your address so we can see where things stand.

Areas we buy in Houston

We buy all over the city, including Acres Home, Alief, Greater Fifth Ward, Greater Third Ward, Kashmere Gardens, Sunnyside, Gulfton, Sharpstown, Spring Branch, Denver Harbor, Independence Heights and the Near Northside. Outside the city limits, we buy throughout Harris County, too. See every place we buy houses in Texas.

No pressure, ever. Our offer is free and comes with zero obligation. Even if we’re not the right fit, we’ll point you in the right direction.

Got a notice or a deadline in Houston?

Send us the address and what’s going on. We’ll give you a straight answer, usually within 24 hours.

Get My Houston Cash Offer →Confidential · No obligation · Or call/text (678) 926-9776

How it works

Send us your Houston address or call (678) 926-9776. We look at the house and your situation, and you'll usually hear back with a cash offer within 24 hours. If it works for you, we close through a title company on your timeline, with no fees and no obligation.

Questions sellers ask

How fast can I sell my house in Houston?

It mostly comes down to the title work and the date you want. Because we pay cash, there’s no buyer’s loan to wait on, which is often what drags a sale out. Tell us your deadline and we’ll be honest about whether we can meet it.

Where are foreclosure auctions held in Harris County?

Harris County holds its foreclosure sales on the first Tuesday of the month at the Bayou City Event Center, 9401 Knight Road in Houston. Notices of sale are filed with the County Clerk 21 days ahead. If your house is on the list, reach out right away so there’s time to look at a sale.

Do you buy houses in Houston that need a lot of work?

Yes. We buy as-is, whether it’s an old roof, flood or water damage, or a house that needs a full renovation. You don’t have to fix or clean anything before you sell.

Can I sell a house in probate in Houston?

Often, yes, once the executor or administrator has the court’s authority to sell. In Harris County, estates go through one of the five county probate courts downtown. We can work with your attorney and the title company on timing.

Do cash home buyers in Houston charge fees?

We don’t. MarKey charges no commissions or fees and pays typical closing costs. You’ll see what you’d walk away with before you agree to anything.

Sell Your House Fast in Houston, TX