Alabama Home Selling Guides
Every guide I've written for Alabama sellers, in one place: probate, an inherited house, foreclosure, back taxes, a vacant house and problem tenants. Alabama's rules for each one are different from most states, from out-of-court foreclosures to three-year tax redemption, so pick the situation that sounds like yours and use the five rules below as a quick reference.
Reviewed by Dennis Fassett, founder of Dennis Buys Houses · Updated November 2026
These guides are general information, not legal advice. Alabama's 67 counties each run their own probate court and tax sales, so check the details for your county.
Start With Your Situation
- How to Sell a House in Probate in AlabamaWhen the probate court has to approve a sale, who can sign, the creditor deadline and what to do with everything in the house.
- Selling an Inherited House in AlabamaSurvivorship deeds, heirs' property, siblings, disclosure, taxes and selling from out of state.
- Selling a House in Foreclosure in AlabamaOut-of-court foreclosure, the three-week newspaper notice, the 180-day redemption right and the 10-day possession trap.
- Selling a House With Delinquent Property Taxes in AlabamaOctober 1 due dates, tax sales and tax lien auctions, the three-year redemption window and excess bid money.
- Selling a Vacant House in AlabamaInsurance, humidity and storms, Birmingham's new vacant-building authority and downtown Mobile's registry.
- Selling a House With Bad Tenants in AlabamaThe seven-business-day notice, district court, seven days to answer and appeal, and the no-lockout rule.
Five Alabama Rules That Change the Decision
- Most foreclosures skip the courthouseThe lender publishes notice once a week for three weeks and then auctions the house. (Ala. Code § 35-10-13)
- You can redeem after a foreclosure180 days for a homestead home, one year for other property, but a written demand for possession starts a 10-day clock. (Ala. Code § 6-5-248)
- Tax sales come with three years to redeemTaxes are due October 1 and delinquent after December 31. After a tax sale, you generally have three years to redeem. (Ala. Code § 40-10-120)
- Probate sales need court approval unless the will says otherwiseWithout an express power of sale in the will, the personal representative needs the court's approval first. (Ala. Code § 43-2-844)
- Tenants get seven business daysUnpaid rent or a lease violation starts with a written notice giving seven business days to fix it. (Ala. Code § 35-9A-421)
Want a Number to Compare Against?
Tell me about your Alabama house and what's going on. I'll give you a straight as-is number, and tell you if listing makes more sense.
Alabama Cities I Work In
I buy all over Alabama, and I'm especially active in Huntsville, Mobile, Birmingham, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa. The guides point out where the city matters: Birmingham's new vacant-building authority, downtown Mobile's registry and the way each county runs its tax sale.
How It Works
- 1Tell me about the house
Two minutes online or a phone call. The address, the condition and what's going on.
- 2Get a straight as-is number
No repairs, no showings. I'll tell you how I got there, and if listing would net you more.
- 3Pick your closing date
Close with an Alabama closing attorney or title company on the date that works for you. Take what you want and leave the rest.
An as-is offer is a benchmark, not a commitment. There's no obligation to accept my offer — you're in the driver's seat.
Where I Fit, and Where I Don't
I'm usually a good fit when the house needs work, is full of belongings, is tied up in an estate, foreclosure, back taxes or a tenant problem, or you just want it handled.
You won't have to clear the house out for Dennis Buys Houses, either. Leave anything you don't want, and we'll take care of it.
I may not be a good fit if the house is in good shape and you have time to list it. A listing will likely net you more in that case, and I'll tell you so.
Whichever side of that line you're on, you'll hear it from me upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Each one is written around Alabama law and Alabama courts, with notes where Birmingham, Mobile or your county does things differently.
Often, for probate, foreclosure and eviction questions. The guides help you know what to ask; an Alabama attorney gives you the answer for your case.
Yes. Take what matters and leave the rest. Dennis Buys Houses handles what's left.
That's common, like an inherited house with back taxes or a vacant rental with a former tenant's things. Start with the guide for the most urgent deadline.
Tell me about it online or call me. I'll give you a straight as-is number and tell you if listing would net more.
Alabama's statutes are online through the Code of Alabama on Justia. Your county judge of probate, revenue office and district court each post their own forms and schedules.
Alabama Selling Guides
- How to Sell a House in Probate in Alabama
- Selling an Inherited House in Alabama
- Selling a House in Foreclosure in Alabama
- Selling a House With Delinquent Property Taxes in Alabama
- Selling a Vacant House in Alabama
- Selling a House With Bad Tenants in Alabama
Have a House in Alabama You Need to Sell?
Tell me about the house and what's going on. I'll give you a straight as-is number, and if a listing would leave you better off, I'll tell you.