Tennessee Home Selling Guides
Every Tennessee guide I've written, in one place: probate, inherited houses, foreclosure, back taxes, vacant houses and problem tenants. Tennessee moves fast on foreclosure, has no transfer-on-death deed, handles tax sales through chancery court and gave owners a new squatter tool in 2024. Start with your situation, and keep the five rules below handy.
Reviewed by Dennis Fassett, founder of Dennis Buys Houses · Updated November 2026
General information, not legal advice. Tennessee's 95 counties each run their own probate court, trustee and clerk and master, so confirm the details for yours.
Start With Your Situation
- How to Sell a House in Probate in TennesseePowers of sale, petitions to sell, heirs selling together, and the four-month and one-year claim deadlines.
- Selling an Inherited House in TennesseeTitle at death, no TOD deed, disclosure, foundations and termites, siblings and taxes.
- Selling a House in Foreclosure in TennesseeTrustee's sales, the 20-day notice, the usually-waived redemption right and deficiencies.
- Selling a House With Delinquent Property Taxes in TennesseeMarch delinquency, chancery court tax sales, redemption periods and 12% interest.
- Selling a Vacant House in TennesseeInsurance, storms and humidity, Memphis and Nashville code enforcement and the 2024 squatter law.
- Selling a House With Bad Tenants in TennesseeThe 14-day notice, detainer warrants, 10 days after judgment and the 30-day deposit rule.
Five Tennessee Rules That Change Your Options
- No power of sale means a court petitionOr every heir signing. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-402)
- Creditors get four monthsFrom the first published notice, with a one-year outer limit. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-307)
- Trustee sales come fastThe first notice runs at least 20 days before the auction. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-5-101)
- Tax sale redemption depends on how far behind you areOne year for most, down to 30 days for vacant property. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 67-5-2701)
- Fourteen days' notice for unpaid rentIn counties under the landlord-tenant act, unless properly waived. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-505)
Want a Number to Compare Against?
Tell me about your Tennessee house and what's going on. I'll give you a straight as-is number, and tell you if listing makes more sense.
Tennessee Cities I Work In
I buy all over Tennessee, and I'm especially active in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga. The guides point out where local practice matters, from Davidson County's monthly tax sales to Memphis code enforcement.
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 a Tennessee title company or closing attorney on the date that works for you, with remote signing if you're out of state. 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.
Dennis Buys Houses won't ask you to clear the place out first, either. Whatever you leave behind is ours to deal with.
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.
Either way, I'll tell you upfront whether I'm a good fit or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. They're written around Tennessee statutes and courts, with notes for Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
For probate, foreclosure and eviction questions, a Tennessee attorney is worth calling.
Yes. Take what matters and leave the rest. Dennis Buys Houses handles what's left.
Common in Tennessee, like an inherited house with back taxes that's sitting empty. Start with the nearest deadline.
Tell me about the house online or call me. I'll give you a straight number and tell you if listing would net more.
The Tennessee Code is online through Justia. Your county probate court, trustee and clerk and master post their own forms and schedules.
Tennessee Selling Guides
- How to Sell a House in Probate in Tennessee
- Selling an Inherited House in Tennessee
- Selling a House in Foreclosure in Tennessee
- Selling a House With Delinquent Property Taxes in Tennessee
- Selling a Vacant House in Tennessee
- Selling a House With Bad Tenants in Tennessee
Have a House in Tennessee 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.