Unable to place/edit lot due to zero $, when no sim owns it?

Was trying to replace a lot I had previously placed in Newcrest, but it told me there were insufficient funds, like there was a sim living there without enough money. However, it was unowned! I was able to easily work around it, but I've never had that happen before. Anyone here ever heard of this or had it happen? I do have mods, but never had this happen, especially as I had just got done editing other unowned lots. It was very strange, and I haven't added or changed any mods in a while, other than updating mods that broke with the last patches.