How does a lien affect the property it is placed on?

A lien represents a legal claim or right against a property, typically arising from a debt or obligation that the property owner owes. When a lien is placed on a property, it encumbers the property, meaning that it restricts the owner's ability to transfer or sell the property freely until the lien is resolved.

This encumbrance often requires the property owner to address the underlying obligation – for example, paying off a mortgage or settling a debt – commonly before the property can be sold or refinanced. In practical terms, a property burdened with a lien cannot be sold without first addressing the lien, which could complicate and delay any sale process.

In the context of the other choices: While a lien can affect the value and the saleability of the property, it does not directly increase its value or make it easier to sell. Similarly, a lien will have an impact regardless of foreclosure status, meaning that it affects the property even before any foreclosure process takes place.