Can I sell a house with title problems?

Often, yes, but it depends on the problem. Some issues, like an old mortgage that was paid off but never released, can sometimes be cleared as part of the closing, while others take more time or legal work. Send us what you know and we'll tell you what we see.

What is a cloud on title?

A cloud on title is anything in the public records that raises a question about who owns the property or what's owed against it, such as an unreleased lien, a missing heir or a deed error. It can keep a title company from insuring the sale until it's resolved. We evaluate these situations and, when needed, coordinate with title companies and real estate attorneys.

How do you sell a house when the owner died and the deed is still in their name?

Someone usually has to get legal authority first, often through probate, before the house can be sold with clean title. Every family's situation is different. We can evaluate the house and coordinate with your attorney or a title company on what it would take to close.

Can you sell a house with missing or uncooperative heirs?

Sometimes. When an heir can't be found or won't sign, there may be legal steps that let a sale move forward, but they take time and an attorney's help. We can look at the situation, coordinate with the title company and attorneys involved, and tell you honestly whether it's something we can take on.

Do you provide legal help with title problems?

No. MarKey Home Buyers isn't a law firm and doesn't give legal advice or representation, and not every title problem can be resolved. What we can do is evaluate the situation, coordinate with title companies and real estate attorneys when needed, and tell you plainly whether we can make an offer.

We Buy Houses Memphis, TN | Sell Fast for Cash

Memphis is full of solid houses that have simply had a hard run. An older home in Whitehaven or Westwood that needs more than paint. A rental in Hickory Hill or Raleigh with a tenant problem. A family house in Orange Mound that ended up in an estate. If selling the usual way feels out of reach, we buy houses in Memphis directly, for cash, as-is.

MarKey Home Buyers is a cash buyer headquartered in Atlanta, and we buy houses across Tennessee, including Memphis and the rest of Shelby County. We work with you remotely by phone, text and email, line up a walkthrough, and close through a title company or closing attorney.

Why Memphis sellers work with us

We take the house as-is, so you skip the contractors and the cleanout.
We charge no fees or commissions and pay typical closing costs.
We put our offer in writing, usually within 24 hours, and explain the numbers.
We close when you're ready, in as little as two weeks when the title is clear.
We tell you up front if we plan to assign the contract instead of closing ourselves.

Memphis situations we help with

Many of the Memphis owners we hear from are behind on house payments or have a foreclosure sale date coming up. Others are heirs dealing with an inherited house or a probate estate, owners with back taxes or title gaps, or landlords ready to sell a rental. We also buy houses with code enforcement cases, heavy repair needs, or a divorce in the background.

Memphis specifics

Foreclosure. Most Tennessee residential foreclosures are handled outside of court. Since July 1, 2025, state law has required the sale to be advertised at least two times in a newspaper in the county, starting at least 20 days before the sale, along with an online posting that stays up for at least 20 continuous days. The borrower must also be mailed a copy by registered or certified mail by the first newspaper date.
Probate. Shelby County has its own Probate Court, with two judges' divisions and a separate Probate Court Clerk's office in downtown Memphis.
Property taxes. The Shelby County Trustee (shelbycountytrustee.com) bills and collects property taxes, and its site posts the tax sale schedule and properties up for sale.
Code enforcement. The City of Memphis Code Enforcement office, housed in the Division of Community Enhancement, enforces the International Property Maintenance Code, including minimum housing standards and rules on inoperable or abandoned vehicles. The division also handles code lien waiver requests.

Received a notice of sale? Call your lender about catching up or a repayment plan, and consider a HUD-approved housing counselor. If you decide to sell, send us the date so we can tell you honestly whether a closing can happen first.

Areas we buy in

We buy houses all over Memphis and Shelby County, including Whitehaven, Westwood, Parkway Village, Hickory Hill, Raleigh, Orange Mound, Binghampton and Cooper-Young. Outside Memphis? Our Tennessee cash home buyers page covers the rest of the state.

No pressure, ever. Our offer is free and comes with zero obligation. Even if we’re not the right fit, we’ll point you in the right direction.

Holding a Memphis house you don’t want?

Tell us about it. We’ll take an honest look and send a no-obligation offer in writing.

Get My Memphis Cash Offer →Confidential · No obligation · Or call/text (678) 926-9776

How it works

Call or text (678) 926-9776 or send your Memphis address online. We'll ask about the house, set up a walkthrough and deliver a written offer. If it works, we close with a title company or attorney on your schedule, with no fees or commissions.

Questions sellers ask

Who buys houses for cash in Memphis?

Many companies do, so ask questions before you sign anything. MarKey is an Atlanta-based cash buyer purchasing houses across Memphis and Shelby County, as-is, with no fees or commissions. Send us the address and we’ll put an offer in writing.

Where is the probate court in Shelby County?

Shelby County has a dedicated Probate Court, with two divisions and its own Probate Court Clerk in downtown Memphis. If you’re handling an estate with a house in it, we can make an offer and work with the estate’s attorney on timing.

Can I sell my Memphis house with back taxes owed?

Usually, yes. Delinquent taxes owed to the Shelby County Trustee are typically paid from the sale proceeds at closing. Tell us roughly what’s owed and we’ll account for it in our offer.

How quickly can you buy my house in Memphis?

When the title is clear, we can close in as little as two weeks. If you need more time to move, we’ll set a later date.

Do you buy Memphis rental houses with tenants in them?

Yes. We buy rentals with tenants in place, including ones with late rent or lease problems. Tell us about the lease and we’ll factor it into our offer.

We Buy Houses in Memphis, TN