Memphis seller information / Back taxes and liens

Can I Sell My Memphis House With Back Taxes or Liens?

When you sell to us, we can set it up so you don't have to prepay anything — it comes out at closing.

Yes. We buy houses as-is in the City of Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee, including houses with back taxes or liens. Call about the property even if you do not have every balance or record yet. We discuss the house and the information you have; the title company and the lender, creditor, or tax office confirm the current details for the sale.

Prefer to talk? Call 888-274-5006.

We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.

We give written cash offers in 24 hours.

Share the Memphis address and whatever you know about the tax or lien notice.

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How payoffs work

The balances are handled at closing, not upfront

When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. Your liens are paid off from the sale at closing.

Back taxes and other payoff amounts are confirmed with the office or creditor that holds the account. They are separate from closing costs: they are paid from the sale proceeds according to the current payoff instructions, not by you in advance. Your share of current property taxes is also a separate settlement item.

A payoff is the amount and payment instructions the lender, creditor, or tax office gives for a stated date. The title company works with those records so the closing figures show what is due and what remains for you.

Records and next step

Start with the papers and details you have

The lender or creditor confirms its payoff. For property taxes, use the office named on the bill: City Treasury handles City of Memphis tax questions, while the Shelby County Trustee provides county tax lookup. The City tax page also identifies the Shelby County Assessor as the source of certified assessments for locally assessed City taxes.

If you have them, bring the property address, parcel number, latest tax bill or notice, lien or court reference, mortgage statement, and any payoff letter. These help identify the account and current status. You can call before you have everything; the title company checks ownership and recorded claims as the sale moves forward.

If the payoff is the problem

Think the payoff is more than the house is worth? Ask us — we've gotten lenders to come down before.

What happens next

Talk, review written terms, then close through a title company

1. Talk through the house and the notice
Tell us what is happening and share the records you have. You do not need to settle the balance or gather every document before calling.
2. Review the written offer and terms
We buy the house as-is. Read the price, responsibilities, payoff treatment, and proposed closing terms in writing before you decide. There is no obligation to accept.
3. Confirm title, payoffs, and settlement figures
The title company checks ownership and recorded claims. The lender, creditor, or tax office confirms its current payoff and instructions. The closing statement lays out the sale price, payoffs, costs, taxes, and the amount left after those items.
4. Close through the title company
Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing. The title company coordinates the documents and final figures for the agreed transaction.

Memphis and Shelby County

Tax-sale, mortgage-sale, and transfer-tax facts

County tax sale and mortgage foreclosure are separate

The Shelby County Trustee publishes the schedule for delinquent county tax sales. The Trustee's Land Bank information describes county-obtained properties that may become available through the Land Bank after a tax sale and the end of the applicable redemption period; it does not show the status of any particular house. Check the current schedule and property record with the Trustee.

A mortgage foreclosure concerns a loan and follows the lender's or deed-of-trust process, not the County tax-sale schedule. Check the lender's notice and current sale status. Tennessee's notice rules for deed-of-trust and mortgage sales are described in Tennessee's public chapter notice.

Shelby County tax-sale schedule · Shelby County Land Bank information · Memphis mortgage-foreclosure information

Tennessee realty transfer tax

Tennessee charges 37 cents for each $100 of the price paid or the property's value, whichever is greater, when the deed is recorded. State law assigns payment to the buyer, and the county register of deeds collects the tax for the state. 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.

Tennessee Department of Revenue: recordation taxes

City of Memphis Treasury ↗

For City property-tax questions, the City lists City Hall, 125 N. Main Street, Suite 375, and (901) 636-7200. The City tax page also points to Shelby County Assessor for certified assessments on locally assessed City taxes. This is the City tax route, separate from County Trustee service.

Shelby County Trustee ↗

Use the Trustee's lookup for County property-tax accounts and its schedule page for tax-sale information. The Trustee lists P.O. Box 2751, Memphis, TN 38101, and (901) 222-0200.

Compare possible net proceeds

Use the Memphis home-sale calculator to compare an estimated sale with mortgage payoff, liens or taxes, and other costs. Change the assumptions to fit your situation; the calculator is an estimate, not an offer.

Open the Memphis home-sale net proceeds calculator →

Memphis property liens and back taxes questions

Can I sell my Memphis house with back taxes or liens?

Yes. We buy houses with back taxes and liens. You do not have to prepay those balances before we settle; the current payoff instructions are checked for the sale and handled through closing.

Do I need every tax or lien record before I call?

No. Call with the property address and the notice, bill, payoff statement, or creditor information you have. City Treasury handles City property-tax questions, and the Shelby County Trustee provides county tax lookup and tax-sale information.

Who checks the payoff amounts?

The lender, creditor, or tax office confirms its current amount and payment instructions. The title company checks ownership and recorded claims for the transaction and uses the payoff information when preparing the closing figures.

Is a Shelby County tax sale the same as mortgage foreclosure?

No. A County tax sale concerns delinquent property taxes and is listed through the Shelby County Trustee. Mortgage foreclosure follows a lender or deed-of-trust process. Check the notice and current status with the office or lender named on it.

What if the payoff is more than my Memphis house is worth?

Think the payoff is more than the house is worth? Ask us — we've gotten lenders to come down before.

Who pays Tennessee realty transfer tax when I sell to you?

Tennessee charges realty transfer tax when the deed is recorded. 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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Talk through your Memphis property

Start with the address and the notice or payoff information you have. Call 888-274-5006 or use the form above.