Ken, each county in Florida handles code violation liens differently, so there’s no statewide rule you can count on. In some places, if you fix the violation quickly and improve the property’s safety, appearance, and neighborhood hygiene, they’ll cut the fine drastically, sometimes by 90% or more. Others are far stricter, maybe only discounting the last year’s accrual and keeping the rest, so the reduction isn’t nearly as dramatic.

With an amount that large, you can’t rely on the good faith of the city. They’re dealing with their own budget pressures and see these liens as a source of revenue. The “they’ll forgive most of it” approach works in certain situations, but it’s more speculation than certainty.

If you go into this deal, think in terms of worst-case scenario, having to cover that lien in full, in cash, because no bank will finance it. Only consider it if the numbers still work without depending on a deep discount, so you’re never risking capital on the hope of a negotiation going your way.