Posted by Rick, the Probate Guy on May 09, 2008 at 12:13:35:
In Reply to: California Real Estate Law - Property Tax posted by Dank Dupree on May 08, 2008 at 22:17:27:
if the taxes are due, they're due. The owner of record is responsible for their payment.
That being said, it is possible to negotiate who ultimately pays the taxes, especially if the sale is particularly atractive to one party (i.e., buying from a distressed seller at a discount). I've purchased many, many properties from sellers who have not paid the back taxes, leaving the task to me. Of course, I'm not going to pay for the seller's debt and other old baggage unless it's profitable for me to do so.
Lastly, even if the buyer agrees to let the seller's delinquent taxes remain on title in order to close, it's highly unlikely that the buyer's lender will permit the taxes to remain and jeopardize their loan. I guess it's possible if the sale was entirely financed by seller carryback.
So, I keep my side of the street clean, prefer not to have to wash other people's dishes or pick up their trash, or pay their bills UNLESS it's extremely profitable for me to do so.