Real estate title glossary
What is lien priority?
Definition
Lien priority is the order in which liens are paid from a property's sale proceeds; generally first in time is first in right, with property taxes ahead of nearly everything.
Exceptions include tax liens, some HOA super-priority liens, mechanic's liens that relate back to the start of work, and subordination agreements.
How it shows up in a title search
Recording dates and document types in a title search are what determine priority, which is why the search lists both.
Guides that go deeper
- Lien on a House: What It Means for Owners and Buyers, and How It Gets RemovedA lien on a house is a creditor's legal claim against it. Learn the main types, how a lien affects selling and refinancing, and how liens are released.
- HOA Lien: How a Homeowners Association Lien Works, Ranks and Shows in the RecordsWhat an HOA lien is, where it is filed, how it ranks against a mortgage and when an association can foreclose, with Florida, Texas, North Carolina and Arizona rules.
- Mechanics Lien: How It Works, Who Can File and Deadlines by StateA mechanics lien is a claim against a property for unpaid construction work. Who can file, how deadlines differ in Florida, Texas and Arizona, and how to find one.
Related terms
Subordination agreementCode enforcement lienUCC fixture filingCC&Rs (covenants, conditions and restrictions)All terms
Source: Legal Information Institute, Wex: lien. Plain-English summary of general US usage; state law varies, and this is not legal advice.