How to Sell a Vacant Property with Unpaid Property Taxes in Kansas City

Costa Karellas
Jun 15
4 min read

Updated: Sep 10

A Real Guide for Missouri and Kansas Homeowners

If your property has been sitting vacant—and the unpaid tax bills keep stacking up—you’re not alone. We talk to Kansas City homeowners every week who feel stuck in this exact situation: a house they’re no longer using, rising tax penalties, and no idea what to do next.

At Riverfront Home Buyers, we specialize in helping people sell properties with problems. And yes, that includes homes with years of unpaid property taxes.

Here’s what to know—and how to move forward without having to pay it all upfront.

1. You Can Sell a Home Even if You Owe Back Taxes

In both Missouri and Kansas, unpaid property taxes don’t prevent you from selling your home. But they do have to be addressed before or during the closing process.

The good news?

If you have equity in the home, the back taxes can be paid out of the proceeds at closing.

That means:

No upfront payment required from you
No need to negotiate with the county on your own
No risk of losing the house to tax sale if you act fast

2. Act Before It Goes to Tax Auction

If taxes go unpaid for long enough, counties can auction off the property to recover what’s owed.

In Missouri, properties with three years of delinquent taxes are typically eligible for the annual tax sale held by the county.
In Kansas, the timeline varies by county, but foreclosure for tax delinquency can happen in as little as 2–3 years.

Once the home is sold at a tax sale, you lose ownership—and any chance to recover equity.

Selling before that happens is your best move.

3. We Handle the Paperwork (and the Headache)

Many homeowners in this situation feel too overwhelmed to even start. There may be piles of mail, legal notices, or liens involved. That’s okay.

We’ll work with the title company, your county’s tax office, and any lien holders to:

Request payoff statements
Calculate exact amounts owed
Resolve issues at closing

You don’t have to track it all down yourself. That’s our job.

4. No Repairs, Cleaning, or Showings Needed

Most tax-delinquent properties are also vacant, outdated, or in poor condition. At Riverfront, that’s never a dealbreaker.

We buy homes as-is—clutter, damage, code violations and all. There’s no need to:

Make repairs
Clean out personal items
List the home with an agent

We offer a simple, respectful process that’s designed to remove stress—not add to it.

5. You Might Still Walk Away with Cash

Even if you owe back taxes, there’s a good chance you still have equity. If so, the taxes are paid off at closing—and you receive the rest.

We’ve helped Kansas City sellers walk away with thousands, even when they assumed they’d get nothing.

Final Thoughts

Don’t wait until it’s too late.

If you’re dealing with a vacant home and years of unpaid property taxes, you do have options—and they don’t involve paying out of pocket or losing the house at auction.

At Riverfront Home Buyers, we help people in Jackson, Clay, Platte, Wyandotte, and Johnson counties sell quickly, as-is, and with outstanding tax debt included in the closing process.

Let’s talk about your options.

Call us to start the conversation and request an offer: 816.448.8164

FAQ: Selling a House with Back Taxes in Kansas City

Can I sell my house in Kansas City if I owe years of property taxes?

Yes. You can still sell the home as long as there’s enough equity to pay the taxes at closing. Riverfront Home Buyers helps sellers in Jackson, Clay, Platte, Wyandotte, and Johnson counties resolve tax debt and sell as-is without paying anything upfront.

What happens to unpaid property taxes when I sell my house?

The unpaid taxes are paid directly from the proceeds at closing. The title company works with the county to make sure everything is handled correctly so you walk away free and clear.

Will I still get any money from the sale if I owe back taxes?

Often, yes. If your home is worth more than the taxes owed and other liens, the remaining balance after closing costs will go to you.

Can you help if my home is scheduled for a tax sale?

If it hasn’t sold yet, there’s a chance we can help you sell before the auction. Time is critical—contact us immediately if you’ve received a tax sale notice in Jackson, Wyandotte, or other KC-area counties.

Do I need to clean or fix the home before selling?

No. Riverfront buys homes in any condition. Vacant, damaged, or full of stuff—we make it easy for you to walk away without doing anything to the property.

What areas around Kansas City do you serve?

We work with homeowners in Kansas City, Independence, Grandview, Liberty, KCK, Overland Park, and throughout Jackson, Clay, and Platte counties in Missouri, and Wyandotte and Johnson counties in Kansas.

About the Author:

Costa co-founded Riverfront to build a business rooted in trust and real solutions.

Before that, he spent years overseeing massive offshore drilling projects and led a battalion of 650 Marines as a Captain in the Marine Corps. His military and industry experience taught him how to stay calm under pressure and lead with intention.

After retiring, Costa shifted to real estate, focused on helping homeowners who need a fresh start. Behind the scenes, he keeps Riverfront running smoothly while spending time with his nieces and nephews or cheering on the Patriots.

Costa’s admiration for the Chiefs is rooted in the same qualities he built Riverfront on—consistency, preparation, and doing things the right way.

Reviews & Testimonials From Kansas City Families We Have Helped

“I sold my house to Riverfront Homebuyers. They were extremely nice and professional. They made it very easy for me to understand and worked with my time frame on the new home I was buying. I would highly recommend them to anyone” - Diana F.

“We had a great experience working with this company. We needed to sell the house so we could by a new house in a different state. We needed to stay in the house for a couple weeks after the sale and they worked with us and we were able to do just that. Everything went smoothly and happened just as scheduled. Staying in contact with this buyer was easy and we had no issues. 10/10 would recommend” - Analee E.