<prompt> Human: Last year my father passed away and left me a house. I am a single 25 year old male with little savings. I owe approximately 3300 in back taxes due March 20 on the house I inherited and am currently living in. My dad was sick the past few years and failed to pay taxes on the house or mention to anyone that he couldnt do so. I have no way of getting the money from other family. What are my options so that I do not lose my home? I live in Alabama.Assistant: I am assuming that other than the back taxes, you own the house free and clear?How much money do you make a month that could go towards paying off the taxes? I suspect you can go to your bank, and open up a HELOC Home equity line of credit against the house it uses the houseproperty as collateral and borrow the 3300 to pay the back taxes right now, then pay back the heloc at a rate you can afford. A heloc, because its because it is secured by the property, should be able to be opened with an interest rate of 5-6, much better than credit cards, but you might have to open a minimum line of 25K or 50K. Just dont use it for anything but necessary house expenses.With the back taxes out of the way, you are going to want to start setting aside money every month as your own version of escrow, so you can pay the two main yearly house expenses - property taxes and homeowners insurance. Annoying that you never truly have the house paid off because of them, but owing the house free and clear will still always be cheaper than renting something similar, and protects you from landlords that decide to not renew your lease, raise your rent up unexpectedly, etc..Since you need it just over 3 weeks, go to your bank TODAY, explain your situation, and get the ball rolling. Good luck,Human: Thank you for the input. I am currently in between jobs which makes this situation all the more difficult. I have living expenses saved up but was recently blind sided by the news of the back taxes. I also do own the house free and clear. I will see what my bank is willing to offer me.Assistant: If youre between jobs expect a friendly no from the bank. I would encourage you to not even waste the credit inquiry with the bank. The county almost certainly will allow for a payment plan on the taxes in arrears, and then of course you also need to start saving for the next tax bill, post haste. Not an easy thing if youre unemployed, but the literal price of homeownership. Human: Okay thanks. Do you know which department with the county I need to contact? Assistant: Im not familiar with Alabama property taxes. Some states have county tax only, some have county, state, municipal. If you got a letter from the state or whoever notifying you of this tax bill then just call the phone number on the letter. What county are you in?Human: Jefferson. I found an e-mail for property tax collection on their website. Thanks for the help.  <response>: Dont email and go face to face. You dont have time to waste on them getting back to you, if they even do. 