Mechanic’s lien

A claim placed on a home by someone who didn’t receive payment for construction work completed on the property

Almost all states allow workers who make improvements on a property, including contractors, painters, architects, carpenters, plumbers and even the gardener who works on your rose bushes, to put a lien against your home if you don’t pay them. This lien will appear on a preliminary title report and you can’t sell the property until you pay it.

Though not common, a mechanic’s lien can lead to a foreclosure, which is when the creditor gets a court order to have your home sold to pay off the debt. The "mechanic" has up to 90 days to get the court order, if they miss the boat they can still sue you for the money owed.

See: Lien, Cloud on title