Thanks seniorjudge. Your answer was my understand too. The reason I was questioning my understanding of the situation is because the IRS just sent a statement to this couple (my sister & her husband), showing the amount they owed the IRS. So knowing that the house had been sold, I knew someone had to pay off the lien (either the mortgage company or the new homeowner). But I will certainly relay this information to them and advise them on having a title search done. Thanks again for your help.