Questions About Selling a House in Memphis, TN

We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us. You can start with the condition it is in now; you do not have to clean it out before asking about a sale.

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The Cash Offer is a direct purchase by USA Home Buyers, with a term of 30 days or less and a lower price. EZ Sale goes to one of our partners, with a term of 60 days or less and a higher price than the Cash Offer. Both have no repairs, no commissions, and no closing costs. Compare the written numbers and choose what works for your house.

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We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours. You can start with the property address and the condition, occupancy, and timing details you know. Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing.

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Tennessee charges a realty transfer tax when the deed is recorded: 37 cents for each $100 of the price paid or the property's value, whichever is greater. By law, the buyer pays that tax. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Tennessee's realty transfer tax. Your mortgage, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate.

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Often, yes, if the sale closes before the foreclosure sale. Many Tennessee home loans use a deed of trust; when it includes a power of sale, the trustee can sell the house at public auction without a court case. Under the usual notice rules in effect since July 1, 2025, notice must run at least twice in a newspaper published in the county, with the first notice at least 20 days before the sale. A third-party internet posting company must post notice online for at least 20 days in a row. The trustee must mail you a copy by registered or certified mail by the date of the first newspaper notice. Unless the loan papers forbid it, the sale can be postponed, but it must still happen within one year of the original date. A new date must be announced at the scheduled sale and posted online, unless the delay is less than five days. If the sale is delayed more than 30 days, the new date, time, and place must be mailed to you at least 10 days beforehand. For a sale under a deed of trust or mortgage without a court judgment, Tennessee law gives a two-year right to redeem unless the deed of trust or mortgage expressly waives it; court-ordered sales have different rules. If a trustee's sale is scheduled, tell us the date right away so we can try to close before it.

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Often, yes, once the right people sign. In Tennessee, a house usually passes at death to the heirs or people named in the will, unless the will puts the house under the personal representative's control. The personal representative is appointed by the probate court; the court's letters show that person's authority. If the will puts the house under that person's control or gives them power to sell it, the personal representative can usually sign. Otherwise, the heirs or beneficiaries who own the house generally all need to sign. If the estate's other assets cannot pay its debts, the personal representative or a creditor can ask the court to order a sale. Tennessee's small-estate process covers personal property, not a house. The will, court papers, deed, and estate debts affect who can sign, so the title company or closing attorney will confirm the authority for the sale.

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Yes. A sale does not cancel a tenant's lease. The lease, deposit records, occupancy, access, and expectations for possession help show what needs to be addressed for the sale. The buyer and seller still need to account for the tenant's rights and the actual lease terms.

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You can ask about an as-is sale while you check the city record. Memphis Code Enforcement handles City unsafe-housing reports. Some municipal repair costs can become a lien on the property, so an open notice or charge should be checked with the City and closing professionals; selling does not by itself remove a lien.

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The City of Memphis Treasury handles City property-tax questions. The Shelby County Trustee provides the county tax lookup. City and county tax accounts are separate, so use the office and account shown on the bill you received.

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A sale to us does not pay your mortgage, liens, or back taxes, and your share of current property taxes is separate too. The title company can confirm the property-specific balances and how they affect the closing. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Tennessee's realty transfer tax.

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