Hillsborough County · Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City · Unincorporated
Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City, or one of the unincorporated communities like Brandon: who handles code liens, permits and back taxes, and how selling to a local buyer works.
The short answer
Yes. We buy houses as-is, for cash, anywhere in Hillsborough County: in the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City, and in unincorporated Hillsborough, home to more than 1 million people (2020 estimate). Outside those three cities, the County, not a city, handles code enforcement and building permits.
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The County’s Planning Commission tracks four jurisdictions: the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City, and unincorporated Hillsborough. By the state’s 2020 population estimates (BEBR), Tampa had 392,953 residents, Plant City 39,846 and Temple Terrace 26,832, and unincorporated Hillsborough passed 1 million residents for the first time; and the Commission says it drew three quarters of the county’s new residents over the decade. Brandon isn’t one of the three cities, so it is part of unincorporated Hillsborough.
That line matters when you sell. Inside one of the three cities, its own code office and building department deal with the house. Everywhere else, Hillsborough County does.
Hillsborough County Code Enforcement works from the Roger P. Stewart Center, 3629 Queen Palm Drive, Tampa (813-274-6600, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and takes reports of violations in unincorporated Hillsborough. Cases go to the Code Enforcement Board or a Special Magistrate, and the County collects those fines and liens online.
The County’s own steps for finding a lien:
Payoffs and settlements. A payoff inquiry goes in writing to the County’s lien settlement mailbox and needs no application. A settlement, which can reduce the fine, needs a completed, notarized application signed by the owner or an authorized representative, and every violation on the property has to be in compliance first. Requests sent any other way than the mailbox are delayed, and replies may take more than 72 hours; after an application, the County typically replies in 7 to 10 business days. If the house is homesteaded, an owner may qualify for hardship consideration, such as severe financial hardship, active-duty or veteran status, or age or medical issues, with supporting documents.
Inside the City of Tampa, the City runs its own lien letters and settlement guidelines: code violations and liens in Tampa.
For unincorporated Hillsborough, the County’s Development Services department is the place to go for building permits. In a post after the 2024 storms, the County reminded owners that homes in a Special Flood Hazard Area need permits for repairs and replacements, and that work done without proper permits can bring stop-work orders, fines or other penalties.
Hillsborough applies a 50% substantial-damage threshold: in a flood zone, if repairs would cost 50% or more of the building’s value (without the land), the house has to meet current flood rules, which often means elevating it or making it fully flood-compliant. You don’t have to take that on to sell; we price it in. More: the 49% / 50% rule and storm-damaged houses in Tampa.
A sale that closes before that auction pays the back taxes from the proceeds. Step by step: behind on property taxes in Hillsborough; dates and results: upcoming auctions and auction numbers.
AL buys Hillsborough houses directly, for his company’s own account, and works from the office at 433 Central Ave in St. Petersburg, across the bay. The liens and back taxes we find are listed in the written offer, and a licensed Florida title company settles them at closing. Most closings take 7–21 days once title is clear; you can also pick a later date. We aren’t real estate agents or attorneys, and nothing here is legal advice. If a foreclosure case has been filed, speak with a Florida attorney before you sign anything. Inherited a house here? See selling an inherited house in Tampa.
Yes. We buy anywhere in Hillsborough County, including Temple Terrace, Plant City and unincorporated communities such as Brandon. Outside the three cities, Hillsborough County handles code enforcement and building permits.
The County’s steps: confirm the owner on the Property Appraiser’s site, search the address for County cases numbered BA, CE, C, L or W and check each for a lien, then confirm the recorded lien in the Clerk of Court’s records. Payoff inquiries go in writing to the County’s lien settlement mailbox.
The County takes settlement applications once every violation on the property is in compliance. The application must be complete, notarized and signed by the owner or an authorized representative. Owners of homesteaded property may qualify for hardship consideration with supporting documents.
Yes, as long as the sale closes before the Clerk’s tax deed auction and the price covers what’s owed; the back taxes are paid from the proceeds. Note that the Tax Collector doesn’t accept partial payments on delinquent taxes.
No. HomeSellerCashOffer is not a real estate agent or broker. We buy houses directly, for our own account, as Tampete Homes LLC, and close through a licensed Florida title company.
Across the bay, we buy houses in St. Petersburg and anywhere in Pinellas County; to the north, Pasco County.
AL Cakici · Owner, HomeSellerCashOffer (Tampete Homes LLC)
AL buys houses in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco for his own account and has personally purchased and assisted with 100+ transactions over 10+ years across the country. He is not an attorney; this page is general information drawn from the sources listed above, not legal advice. Facts checked against those sources on the dates listed.
“I was skeptical at first when these guys approached me about my home, but they were very knowledgeable and straightforward. They did all the work. These guys know what it means to do good business, which is unfortunately rare nowadays.”
“Working with HomeSellerCashOffer has been nothing but a positive experience. Al is extremely professional, transparent, and always a pleasure to work with. He communicates clearly, keeps the process smooth, and goes above and beyond to make sure everything stays on track”
“As an investor myself, I get bombarded from people trying to buy my houses. AL and his team were miles above anybody else that’s approached me, super knowledgeable, professional and transparent. Recommend to anyone that wants top tier service.”
Straight answers first. If selling isn’t your best move, he’ll say so.
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