Washington Mutual Savings Bank v. United States

*54Andersen, J.

Facts of Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has asked this court to determine whether Washington law allows a nonforeclosing junior lienholder who purchases property at a nonjudicial foreclosure sale to sue for a deficiency.

This case concerns an action to quiet title to real property on which the United States claims a federal tax lien. The property in question is located in Benton County and was owned by Robert and Christine Shell. Yakima Federal Savings & Loan Association (Yakima Federal) held a first deed of trust on the property in the amount of $41,000 as security on a…