Land records · Parcel maps · October 7, 2026
What Is a Vendor's Lien in a Deed?
What is a vendor's lien? A seller's lien for unpaid purchase price, often reserved in Texas deeds and assigned to the buyer's lender at closing.
What is a vendor’s lien? A vendor’s lien is a lien held by a seller, called the vendor, on property they sold, to secure payment of the unpaid purchase price. It can be expressly reserved in the deed or, in some states, implied by law when the seller conveys title before being fully paid. Vendor’s liens are especially common in Texas, where warranty deeds often say that a vendor’s lien is retained to secure the purchase money note and then assigned to the buyer’s lender, who paid the purchase price for the buyer. This page is general land-records background, not legal advice.
Express vs implied vendor’s lien
| Type | How it arises |
|---|---|
| Express vendor’s lien | Reserved in the deed or a separate document |
| Implied vendor’s lien | Created by law in some states when price is unpaid |
Many states have abolished or limited implied vendor’s liens, but express liens remain enforceable when properly recorded.
Typical deed language
A Texas warranty deed with vendor’s lien might say that the grantor conveys the property “but it is expressly agreed that the vendor’s lien, as well as superior title, are retained against the property until the note is fully paid,” and that the lien is transferred to the lender. This gives the lender both a deed of trust and the vendor’s lien as security.
Seller financing
In seller-financed sales, the seller may keep a vendor’s lien or take a mortgage or deed of trust. Some sellers use a land contract instead, keeping title until paid. The vendor’s lien approach gives the buyer title while protecting the seller.
Releasing a vendor’s lien
When the note is paid, the lienholder should record a release of lien. An unreleased vendor’s lien can appear on title searches years later. Like an unreleased mortgage, it may require a release from the lender or its successor. See what is a satisfaction of mortgage.
Priority
Vendor’s liens for purchase money generally have strong priority, often ahead of other liens against the buyer. See what is lien priority.
Superior title
Texas deeds sometimes retain “superior title” in the seller or lender along with the vendor’s lien. This allows the holder to rescind the sale and recover the property if the note is not paid, as an additional remedy.
Reading it in a title search
Title examiners look for vendor’s lien language in the vesting deed and then check whether a release was recorded. A commitment may require a release before closing.
Old unreleased liens
Title searches on older Texas properties often turn up vendor’s liens from loans paid off decades ago. If the original lender merged or failed, the title company may track down the successor or use an affidavit and indemnity to insure over the old lien.
Bottom line
A vendor’s lien secures a seller’s unpaid purchase price. Express vendor’s liens are common in Texas deeds and are often assigned to the buyer’s lender. When the loan is paid, a release should be recorded to clear title. Find county recorders via the Platbookmapper map.
What is a vendor’s lien FAQ
What is a vendor’s lien?
A seller’s lien securing unpaid purchase price.
Why do Texas deeds include vendor’s liens?
To secure the purchase money note, often assigned to the lender.
How do I remove a vendor’s lien?
Get and record a release after the note is paid.
Is a vendor’s lien the same as a mortgage?
Both secure debt, but a vendor’s lien arises from the sale itself.
Do all states recognize implied vendor’s liens?
No, many have abolished or limited them.