What is a potential consequence of failing to pay property taxes?

Failing to pay property taxes can lead to a tax lien being placed on the property, which is a legal claim by the government to secure payment of overdue taxes. If the taxes remain unpaid, the property may ultimately be sold in a tax sale to recover the owed amount. This process involves a series of steps where the government often gives property owners a period of time to pay off their debt, but if the debt is not satisfied, they could lose ownership of the property. This outcome underscores the importance of staying current with property tax obligations, as it can significantly affect ownership rights and result in the loss of the property itself.